Germany’s World Cup-winning head coach Joachim Loew will step down after the European Championship this July, the German Football Association said on Tuesday. Loew will leave with a year on his contract and sign up to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. In a statement, Löw said he was “filled with pride and overwhelming gratitude” after nearly 15 years as a national coach and “inspired” for his swansong at the renovated European Championships from 11 June-11 July.
Fritz Keller, president of the German Football Association (DFB), said that Lowe’s decision “gives us the time needed to name our successor in peace”.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Bayern Munich owner Hansie Flick, who was Lowe’s assistant coach when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, have been mentioned as the starting front for the job.
Loew has vowed to go higher in European competitions, but Germany have been faced with a difficult task that is similar to that of world champions France and holders Portugal.
“I still feel desire, great energy and ambition,” Löw emphasized.
“I will do my best to please my fans and succeed in this tournament.”
“Great victory, painful defeat”
The 61-year-old surname “Jogi” has been in charge of Germany since 2006. The 2014 victory in Brazil, where his side defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final, was the main point of his reign, for Mario Goetje’s extra-time winner.
But Lowe has faced three years of criticism since the holders were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the group stage in Germany.
The call for resignation grew louder since Spain beat Germany 6–0 at the United Nations last November.
Prior to the 2018 defeat, the Germans had reached at least the semi-finals of every tournament under Lowe.
“I have worked with the best footballers in the country and supported them in their development,” Lowe said on Tuesday.
“I have had huge wins and painful defeats with them, but above all amazing and magical moments – not just to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.”
The fallout from the defeat in Russia stained his legacy as he struggled to rebuild the team.
His decision to end the international careers of veterans Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels was soon withdrawn in March 2019.
Muller and Boateng’s assured performances in 2019/20 helped Bayern Munich to win the Champions League title and prompt Loew to defend their decision to remove him from the national setup.
Recently Löw has indicated that he may miss the trio deported for Germany’s World Cup qualifier at the end of March.
His record as a coach is a stunning 120 wins in 189 matches with Germany as well as 38 draws and 31 defeats.
“I have great respect for Joakim Löw’s decision,” German FA (DFB) President Fritz Keller said in a statement.
Promoted
“DFB knows what is in ‘Jogi’, he is one of the greatest coaches in world football.
“Jogi Löw has shaped German football, as hardly anyone else has done and has helped to achieve the highest international reputation.”
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