Klinsmann steps down as coach

Ruu_Old

From rte.ie here

I personally would have liked to see him continue.

Juergen Klinsmann, who led Germany to a surprise third-place finish in the World Cup and win over the hearts of the nation, confirmed he is stepping down and assistant Joachim Loew would take his place.

'I want to thank everyone, especially the fans, who pushed us along to this fantastic success,' the 41-year-old Klinsmann told a news conference in Frankfurt as he fought back tears.

'It was the most beautiful World Cup ever. We've created a new image of the Germans around the world.'

Klinsmann came under fierce criticism prior to the World Cup, notably for his decisions to commute from his adopted home in California and bring in an American fitness trainer whose modern methods were ridiculed by German soccer traditionalists.

But he silenced the doubters by steering Germany to the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual world champions Italy 2-0 after extra time.

Klinsmann, who had no coaching experience when he took the job in August 2004, said he was leaving because he wanted to spend time with his family in California.

He described himself as 'burnt out' and said he would take a six-month break before thinking about his next move, denying rumours he might be interested in coaching the US team. 'There is neither interest nor contact,' he said.

He leaves with a record of 21 wins, seven draws and six defeats in his two years in charge. As a player, he won 108 caps and scored 47 goals, helping West Germany win the World Cup in 1990 and Germany the European Championship in 1996.

Loew, a former midfielder and Bundesliga coach who worked closely with Klinsmann over the past two years and comes from the same region in Germany's southwest, has agreed on a two-year contract to run the team.

The 46-year-old pledged to continue with the attacking philosophy that he and Klinsmann put in place. 'That's the only way we can achieve a lasting place among the very best in the world,' Loew said.

SpAcEd OuT

what a shame I would have loved to have seen him continue

Fanny Cradock

smart move!

before the world cup the germans hated him. now, because of their surprise finish, they don't. It's unlikely that he could achieve more with the team. best to leave on a high note. same goes for lippi.