Germany keep faith with Loew

JOACHIM LOEW will remain in charge of Germany for next year’s delayed European Championship despite a series of poor recent results, the German football federation (DFB) announced yesterday.

“In a conference call, the DFB presidential board unanimously agreed to unequivocally back the direction of Germany coach Joachim Loew in his efforts to rebuild the national team, which have been ongoing since March 2019,” the DFB said in a statement, following a meeting with Loew and the federation’s top officials.

Loew, 60, has been in charge of the Germany team since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann following the 2006 World Cup.

He led the nation to a fourth world title, and first since reunification, in Brazil in 2014 when the Germans defeated Lionel Messi’s

Argentina in the final.

However, Germany are in crisis following a 6-0 defeat to Spain on Nov 17 and recent draws with Switzerland, twice, and Turkey.

The recent hammering by Spain, Germany’s heaviest loss in 89 years, capped a poor three-year spell, which included an embarrassing group-stage exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after which the DFB gave Loew their backing.

Loew has made some controversial decisions since the debacle in Russia, none more so than the one to end the international careers of World Cup winners

Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels.

The DFB’s 14member presidential committee had initially

been due to meet on Friday to determine Loew’s fate.

However, the group brought its decision forward, following the “recommendation of the presidential committee and of national teams and academy director Oliver Bierhoff”, the DFB added.

“The DFB presidential board was in agreement that key sporting goals have already been achieved in the run-up to the European Championship in 2021,” the statement read.

“These include qualifying for the tournament, remaining in League A of the Nations League, and being placed in the first pot for World Cup qualification.

“As a result of this, Joachim Loew will continue to receive the backing of the DFB presidential board.”

In a survey commissioned by AFP subsidiary SID after the Seville humiliation, 84% of 1,100 German fans asked wanted Loew and Bierhoff to step aside.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick, Loew’s assistant coach at the 2014 World Cup, were the candidates German fans most wanted to see take over. – AFP