BEVERLY HILLS, March 09, (THEWILL) – Germany’s senior men’s national team coach Joachim Low has revealed that he plans to step down as Die Mannschaft head coach after Euro 2020. This will effectively bring to an end a 15-year stint in the role with the national team that included a World Cup triumph in 2014.
The 61-year-old was appointed in 2006 and he led Germany to that 2014 global glory when Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal earned them a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final game of the tournament.
A remarkable tactician, his tenure as Coach saw Germany consistently challenging for honours in international tournaments and frequently being considered favourites. However, this changed at the 2018 World Cup, when a group-stage exit raised the first major doubts about the coach’s continuing hold on his job for the foreseeable future.
Low, who constantly deflected questions about his continued stay as German coach, was due to reach the end of his current contract following Germany’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar campaign but it now appears that there will be a new manager for Die Mannschaft in Qatar.
Making his decision public, Low said: “I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time I continue to be very motivated as far as the upcoming European Championship tournament is concerned.
“I am proud, because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved with my country.”
He served as assistant coach to Jurgen Klinsmann, whom he succeeded after Klinsmann resigned the position after two years in charge of Die Mannschaft when Germany was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup hosted on their home grounds.
Low led Germany to the runners-up position when Spain grabbed the Euro 2008 and took them to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and Euro 2016, as well as advancing to the last four of the World Cup in 2010.
In a statement issued by the German Football Association (DFB), Low spoke of his joy at having the chance to lead Germany’s elite players on the world stage: “I associate them with great triumphs and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments – not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always prepared an ideal working environment for me and the team.”
One of Low’s lowest points as coach of the German team was the 6-0 defeat to Spain in the Nations League last November. In response, the 61-year-old recalled veterans Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, players that he himself exiled after the World Cup disappointment three years before. He has determined now that he needs their expertise to go out on a high.
In his words: “I still feel the unconditional will, great energy and ambition for the upcoming European Championship. I will do my best to make our fans happy and successful at this tournament. I also know that this applies to the entire team.”
Oliver Bierhoff, the National teams director, reacted to the news by saying: “Joachim Low and I have worked closely together for almost 17 years. We were able to experience so much together and also endure together.
“It is a special relationship that is characterised above all by absolute trust. Under Jogi, the national team once again stood for the joy of playing attractive and attacking football.
“This team and its players have developed incredibly with him. I regret that our professional paths will separate after the Euros.”
Bierhoff added: “We will remain close on a personal level, but I’m not thinking about that now because I know that Jogi’s full concentration and energy in the coming weeks and months will only be used to prepare for the European Championship. We will continue to have a big common goal in the summer.”
Coronavirus concerns forced the Euro 2020 to be delayed by a year. The competition, which is still called Euro 2020, will now run from June 11 to July 11, 2021. Low’s Germany remains in a tough first-round group that also includes France, Hungary and Portugal. Low is prepared to get them through successfully before kissing them goodbye.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
