Klinsmann surprised many by taking Germany to third
Jurgen Klinsmann has decided not to continue as Germany coach after two years in charge of the national team.
"I regret his decision, but we have to accept it," said Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, co-president of the German Football Federation.
A news conference was due to take place in Frankfurt on Wednesday to confirm Klinsmann's exit, and possibly announce Joachim Loew as his replacement.
Loew assisted Klinsmann at the World Cup, where Germany finished third.
Klinsmann, who lives in southern California, had been urged to continue as coach after steering Germany to third place in the recent World Cup.
All 23 players of the German World Cup squad, 93% of the public, according to opinion polls, and even some of his harshest critics have all said they wanted him to continue.
Germany have a friendly against Sweden on 16 August before their 2008 European Championships qualifying campaign starts in September.
Klinsmann, whose contract expired on Sunday, has dismissed reports he received a lucrative offer to coach the United States and has said he has no interest in coaching another national team.
After Germany's semi-final defeat against Italy in Dortmund, Klinsmann said he wanted to talk to his wife before deciding whether to lead his country's attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.
Germany finished third at the World Cup after beating Portugal 3-1 in Stuttgart on Saturday.
12/07/2006, 10:49 AM
RogerMilla
20 euro says he takes the US job!!
12/07/2006, 1:32 PM
co. down green
KLINSMANN STEPS DOWN AS GERMAN BOSS
Jurgen Klinsmann has stepped down as German national coach, days after leading his country to a surprising third-place World Cup finish.
The 41-year-old former Spurs player, who is based in southern California, had been urged to extend his two-year reign.
Indeed, all 23 members of Klinsmann's World Cup squad, 93 per cent of the public, according to opinion polls, and even some of his harshest critics had said they wanted him to carry on.
But, having consulted with his family, Klinsmann has decided not to extend his contract, which expired at the end of the tournament.
A German Football Federation official confirmed reports in Germany that Klinsmann had signalled he would step aside.
The official was quoted as saying: "The reports are not incorrect."
Germany are due to play Ireland on September 2nd, in the opening fixture of their European championship qualifying group for the 2008 finals.
Joachim Loew has been appointed as Klinsmann's replacement. Leow, a former midfielder and Bundesliga coach, has worked closely with Klinsmann over the past two years and comes from the same region in Germany's southwest. He has agreed on a two-year contract to run the team.
Both Ireland & Germany will now start their first game of the new campaign under new management and Steve Staunton will be wondering what effect, if any, the exit of Klinsmann will have on German morale following their 3rd place finish in the world cup finals
