Departing Klinsmann puts family first

FRANKFURT, Germany (Ticker) - Jurgen Klinsmann on Wednesday stepped down as coach of Germany, claiming he was “exhausted” after a two-year tenure that culminated in his side clinching third place at the World Cup.

Klinsmann, who repeatedly was criticized prior to the tournament for commuting from his home in California to Germany, admitted his family was the main reason for his throwing in the towel.

“I have a big wish to return to my family and get back to normality,” he said at a press conference here on Wednesday morning.

“This certainly has not been an easy decision.”

Joachim Low, Klinsmann’s assistant, has been appointed as the new coach and has signed a two-year contract.

DFB co-president Theo Zwanziger explained that Low “was the only way forward.”

“It was clear that the successor had to guarantee that the same philosophy could be continued, that this would be an attractive team which would excite the fans and the same methods would be employed,” he said.

“Since the Klinsmann-Low combination could not do that, Low alone was the only option.”

Klinsmann nonetheless was heralded for leading an unfancied host nation to third in the World Cup and nobody in Germany wanted to hear the news that arrived on Wednesday morning.

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari were just a handful of football dignitaries who called for Klinsmann to sign a new contract and lead Germany into the European Championships in two years’ time.

However, Klinsmann admitted he could not change his lifestyle and travelling back and forth for another two years was not an option.

“After these two years preparing for the World Cup and with the tournament itself, I have spent so much energy that I don’t feel capable at the moment of continuing to give the same level,” he added.

“I feel worn out and plan a six-month holiday in which I will not be taking anything else on.”

Gerhard-Mayer Vorfelder, who shares the role of president with Zwanziger, thanked Klinsmann for completing a task he never thought possible.

“It was almost unimaginable not only how he brought belief and confidence to the team, but how he got them fit for over 90 minutes,” Mayer-Vorfelder said. “That is what he has brought to us and this will now be carried forward.”

Life after Klinsmann commences immediately with a Euro 2008 qualifier against Ireland on September 2 set to be Low’s first challenge.

The match in Stuttgart is already a sellout and team manager Oliver Bierhoff believes the fans who witnessed Germany’s 3-1 thrashing of Portugal to clinch third place at the World Cup in the same city last weekend can expect more of the same.

“I am convinced this team, with Low, will be successful,” Bierhoff said.

“The leading players have said they want to continue, if not with Klinsmann, then with Low. The team has accepted it and I am looking forward to the coming years.”

Germany captain Michael Ballack said it was a “shame” Klinsmann had decided to step down, but admitted he was “happy that we have Joachim Low as the new coach, a man who knows the team and the style and can continue the work we have done thus far.”

Low is set to go on holiday but has vowed to take over where Klinsmann left off and lead Germany toward its next aim - winning Euro 2008.

“First, I’d like to thank Jurgen on behalf of the whole team and the team behind the team for two unforgettable years,” Low said. “It has been full of excitement and we have experienced highs and lows, but what stands out the most is how we worked together with trust, loyalty and admiration.

“Now, we have got to look forward to this new task over the next two years. Certainly, it is a great challenge to continue the path we have been taking. Jurgen said two years ago that he wanted us to become world champions and I can say here that I want us to become European champions.”