Klinsmann hopes for World Cup with heart and pride

HAMBURG - South Africa has every right to celebrate the World Cup in its own colourful way even if it doesn’t run as smoothly as other editions, former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said.

Klinsmann, who guided Germany to third place on home ground in 2006, said in an interview with the German football federation website that the first World Cup in Africa offers a huge chance for the host nation.

“We must allow the South Africans to stage the World Cup in the way they want to do it. That will be different than with us - perhaps with more improvisation. But there will be a lot of heart and pride. We should not hurt this pride,” Klinsmann said.

“I am looking forward to the country and the football.”

Klinsmann said he hoped that the June 11-July 11 World Cup will delight the whole country of South Africa in the same way as it did in Germany four years ago.

Klinsmann will be in South Africa to analyse games for three television networks - Germany’s RTL, Britain’s BBC and ESPN of the United States.

Looking at the German team now coached by his former assistant Joachim Loew, and the other favourites, Klinsmann said: “Germany is a great football nation and is always a title contender at major events.

“But six or seven other teams have the same role, such as Spain, Brazil, Italy, England, Argentina and Holland. I hope the German team can play to its potential. And then you need a little luck as well.”