Loew stays on as Germany’s coach until Euro 2012

HAMBURG - Joachim Loew Tuesday renewed his contract as Germany’s coach until Euro 2012, less than a fortnight after leading a young and widely acclaimed team to third place at the football World Cup.

German football federation supremo Theo Zwanziger told a news conference at the Frankfurt DFB headquarters that Loew, general manager Oliver Bierhoff, assistant coach Hansi Flick and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke had put pen to paper earlier in the day.

“I have good news for all German football fans that we have renewed the contracts … Joachim will continue his great work. We have young and talented players and we have the coach who fits this team,” said Zwanziger.

Loew said: “We have a very good basis of young players who can blossom further. We see great potential. The motivation is extremely high to further develop this team.”

Loew, 50, became assistant coach under Juergen Klinsmann in 2004 and was promoted to head coach when Klinsmann stepped down after coming third at the 2006 home World Cup.

He led Germany to the Euro 2008 final where they lost against Spain. At the recent World Cup in South Africa, Loew’s young team claimed big wins over Australia (4-0), England (4-1) and Argentina (4-0) before losing in the semifinals to eventual champions Spain.

With captain Michael Ballack and others injured, youngsters like Mesut Oezil, 21, and Thomas Mueller, 20, rose to the occasion as Germany impressed with fast attacking football. Mueller became tournament top scorer and was named best young player.

Zwanziger and the vast majority of the German football community had asked Loew to stay on and to further develop the team, which appears to have a bright future.

But Loew had his future open through the World Cup after earlier contract talks broke down in February when Loew and Bierhoff, who has been on the job since 2004, were unhappy that details were leaked to the media.

The final decision was reached Friday when Loew, Bierhoff, Flick and Koepke met to discuss the future. Loew and Zwanziger said that the deals were then finalised from Saturday onwards without major complications.

“Thanks to the excellent youth sector of the Bundesliga clubs and the junior DFB teams we are convinced that the national team can further raise its international value with modern and attractive football,” said Loew.

Germany’s next match is an August 11 friendly in Denmark and Euro 2012 qualifying starts in September 3 with a game in Belgium. Germany’s other opponents are Turkey, Austria, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, with only the group winner qualifying directly for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Ballack, 33, who missed the World Cup with an ankle injury and has moved from Chelsea to Bayer Leverkusen, was among those who welcomed the contract renewal.

“I am happy that the whole team continues. It is done a great job. The team has faith in Joachim Loew,” said Ballack.

But Loew neither wanted to promise Ballack a swift return into the team nor that he would be captain again. Philipp Lahm wore the armband at the World Cup and said he would not volunteer to give it up again.

“Michael was always an important and a player of outstanding merit. But for me it is important that he gets into a rhythm again and gets over his injury. Then we will talk,” Loew said.

“The (captain’s) decision is with the coach. I have not reached a final decision yet … I will make the announcement before nominating the team for the Denmark game.”