Klinsmann Calls It Quits
Jürgen Klinsmann has stepped down as Germany coach, to be replaced by his assistant Joachim Löw.
“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 said. ”I feel worn out and plan a six-month holiday in which I won’t be taking anything else on.”
After enduring a barrage of pre-tournament criticism for commuting to Germany from California (and for that 4-1 friendly defeat to Italy) Klinsmann can leave with his held high. He guided a young, unfancied German team to the semi-finals, playing an entertaining brand of football (not something always associated with Germany) along the way. This achievement produced a pandemic of flag-waving optimism in the host nation, as well as the phrase “Klinsmania”. Theo Zwanziger, co -head of the DFB said Klinsmann “moved and changed the country in an unprecedented way.” High praise indeed.
Despite the DFB’s eagerness for him to stay on through Euro 2008, Klinsmann will now head for the California sunset. Following six months of roller-blading with his family (or whatever else he has planned in California) Klinsmann won’t be short of job offers. Possibly the worst kept secret in football is the US Soccer Federation’s willingness to offer him Bruce Arena’s job. Arena’s contract expires at the end of this calendar year.
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Comments
By Claude | July 13th, 2006 at 2:56 am 
Before the world cup started Klinsi’s critics were all over him led by that Plato of Soccer, aka Franz Beckenbauer alias Der Kaiser. They didn’t like his commute from LAX, his choice of Lehmann instead of Kahn. his training methods etc. Klinsman knew that even a slight stumlbe on the road to Euro 2008 and his crtics would be reved up to a feeding frenzy by Der Kaiser and the German press led by that toilet paper rag “Bild”. We only have ourselves to blame that Klinsi headed home to his family in So. California. The weather is great here and his critics can now like a school of piranha feed on his successor. Klinsi is a lot smarter than you all thought.
Posted from 
United States
By dino | July 13th, 2006 at 4:24 am Germany has lost a talented man. His critics look stupid now. The game has also lost. Zidane brought it down a notch temporarily. What a sissy and asshole that idiot of Zidane. France lost-GOOD. Take away Zidane’s award. He brought shit to the Beautiful Game and that pisses me off big time.
By Affin | July 13th, 2006 at 5:39 am Always good to exit when people still love you.
If you hang on too long and you lose at the next tournament … the fans and public only remember you lost….
Good to exit now.
Posted from 
Malaysia
By Peter | July 13th, 2006 at 6:39 am We…want…JÜRGEN!
We…want…JÜRGEN!
We…want…JÜRGEN!
(you-ess-ayy)
Germany played prettier soccer than I’ve seen a German/West German national side play since Kaiser Franz hung up his cleats thirty years ago. One hopes, for both Gemany’s sake and for soccer’s sake, that his successor will continue on that path.
Who could have imagined, a month ago, that the only one of four semifinalists playing beautiful soccer would be the Germans?
Posted from United States
By Rohit | July 13th, 2006 at 7:28 am I think Kllisni only want to won a world cup for Germany as a coach,it hurts him and after some days he decided to leave but he’s still 42, Im sure he’ll again become manager soon.
Posted from 
India
By so cal | July 13th, 2006 at 7:43 am Klinsi belongs to California
Posted from United States
By littleguy | July 13th, 2006 at 6:11 pm THIS IS OUR CHANCE! Let’s wow him and woo him and romance and pay him a princely sum to take our US team on!! Should we start an e-mail campaign or pay a lobbyist to work on him?
Posted from United States
By FIFAworldcup.com - Passionate Fan on Fifa World Cup 2006 | July 13th, 2006 at 6:47 pm Klinsmann Targets USA
The word is out that Jurgen Klinsmann who revolutionized Germany’s style of play is leaving Germany and assistant coach Joachim Loew is taking over. Loew is the closest coach Germany could get if they want to continue their fast attacking style …
Posted from United States
By evelyn | July 13th, 2006 at 8:14 pm ok let’s start a campaign to get him as the US coach. wooho!!!
Posted from United States
By Gian Luca | July 13th, 2006 at 8:38 pm I loved his enthusiasm and his positive attitude.
A great example to follow.
By Claude | July 13th, 2006 at 9:16 pm Why would Klinsi want to coach the USA? There is one decent player on this team and that is Casey Keller who will probably hang it up soon. I don’t think anyone was impressed by Donavon, Beasley, Polk etc. These guys can start for a second division team like Munich 1860 or sit on the bench at a first divion team in Europe. Maybe he’ll coach the US women since they have more balls than the men.
Posted from United States
By flynn | July 14th, 2006 at 12:46 am “Eddie Polk”
Posted from United States
By nicko | July 14th, 2006 at 1:11 am I’m gonna miss seeing him in the coaches area flapping together his hands like a sea-lion, I kept wanting to throw him a fish
Posted from 
Australia
By forza | July 14th, 2006 at 7:14 pm klinsmann is so cute! he’s the best looking thing the german team had on the pitch. and what a bod! he looked fit fit to play as well!!!
oooooooo klinsy…
Posted from 
France
By Nola | July 15th, 2006 at 2:04 am I loved how enthusiastic he was during the World Cup — like how he’d jump up and down and go crazy whenever Germany scored a goal. I like animated coaches, they’re more interesting to watch (doesn’t necessarily mean they’re BETTER coaches, but all the same).
This is a loss for Germany, but I think it was the right choice. Smart man, to go out on top. He’s a hero in Germany now. He’s built a strong team of young players that can be further developed by the next guy.
On a superficial note, I find him very handsome and liked the outfit he always wore to the matches.
Posted from United States
By forza | July 15th, 2006 at 1:55 pm Nola,
I totally agree with yr “superficial note”. He’s so good looking!
My vote for best looking man in the fifa goes to klinsy!!
Posted from France
By LA | July 15th, 2006 at 9:43 pm To all Germany fans… Bedankt Euch bei Herrn Beckenklauer, dass Ihr Klinsi verloren habt.
Posted from United States
By ventura resident | July 15th, 2006 at 9:45 pm Just had a thought about Klinsi coaching the US soccer team… We can save some money here because the American fitness trainers are already here and do not have to be imported… Did Klinsi practice in Germany to bring the cup to the USA next time around… Klinsi, can I work for you. I am bilingual and love Fussball.
Posted from United States
By Adam Rupolo | July 20th, 2006 at 6:12 am He has done a great job coaching the team although we were all a bit iffy about some of his decisions. I mean when a coach decides not to put in a goalie that won the Lev Yashin trophy 4 years ago, and took his team to the final as well as winning the Golden Ball, an award never previously given to a goalie… ya… ppl DEFINATELY have their doubts.
As an Italian fan I was more worried about the Germany game than any other. I thought that if they beat Germany they would surely win the cup and even though they won 2-0 in that game and won in shootouts in the next; I can still say that Germany played a far better game than the French.
The U.S. should be hoping for Klinsman as it shows they are and it seems to be quite a possibility…
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