German football boss upbeat Loew will stay as coach

Published>Fri, Jul 09 10 03:57 PM

Pretoria, July 9 (DPA) German football supremo Theo Zwanziger expressed optimism Friday that national team coach Joachim Loew would renew his contract after the World Cup football.

'There's no deal. But the chances are good because the coach knows that we're behind him,' Zwanziger, president of the German Football Association (DFB), told Germany's ARD television.

'We've had a great youth sector for years and excellent opportunities for the future. This is something that should interest an ambitious coach like him.'

The Bild daily reported that Loew, who was promoted from assistant after the 2006 World Cup when Juergen Klinsmann stepped down, would stay on until Euro 2012.

Loew has not talked about his future since contract talks broke down in February. But Zwanziger has said throughout the World Cup that he wants Loew to stay.

The young team, which has impressed so much in South Africa en route to to the semi-finals, also wants him to continue.

The DFB hopes for a final decision before the end of the month. The first post-World Cup game, a friendly with Denmark, is set for August 11. Euro 2012 qualifying starts in September.

A difficulty could arise from the staff around Loew, according to Bild. General manager Oliver Bierhoff has tied his future to Loew's, but if he stays on it would continue a difficult relationship he has with sports director Matthias Sammer.

Source: Web Search