Germany coach Joachim Löw announced Tuesday that he has extended his contract with the German Football Association (DFB). The men's national team boss will stay on through at least Euro 2012.
Joachim Loew Extends Contract With Germany Through Euro 2010
Similar contract extensions have been given to team manager Oliver Bierhoff, assistant Hans-Dieter Flick and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke.
Löw's previous contract expired after the World Cup, but with Germany's strong showing in South Africa, there was little doubt that Löw would return.
”We are all pleased that we can continue our work with the national team.
“Our team has excellent sporting prospects and it is a big challenge for us to be able to get stuck into the preparations for EURO 2012 after the successful World Cup in South Africa. Thanks to the excellent work the Bundesliga clubs do with young players and to the youth teams of the DFB, we are convinced that the national team can further enhance their international standing through modern and attractive football.”
Löw has coached the national team since 2006, when he succeeded Jürgen Klinsmann following the World Cup in Germany. Löw led the team to the finals of the 2008 European Championships, losing to Spain 1-0 in the Vienna final. This summer, Löw led Germany to a semifinal appearance in South Africa, again losing 1-0 to Spain.
Along the way, Löw has brought into the national team both a new system and new personnel. Over the last two-plus years, Germany has switched from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1, allowing the team to incorporate young talents like Mesut Özil, Thomas Müller and Sami Khedira, producing a style that led the public support for retaining Löw.
DFB president Dr. Theo Zwanziger expressed his pleasure at the contract extension:
”“I am pleased for German football that we have managed to successfully solve the most important personnel decisions regarding the nation team so quickly and in such a friendly manner.”
Captain Michael Ballack also expressed his support for Löw:
“I am pleased that the whole team is continuing. Together they have done excellent work. The team trusts Joachim Low.”
Germany's next match is on August 11 against Denmark.
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