German coach Joachim Loew will be handed a new contract as a reward for guiding Germany to the World Cup semi-finals it was reported by the normally reliable Bild yesterday, though, German soccer supremo Theo Zwanziger later denied the claims.
The 50-year-old — who since replacing Jurgen Klinsmann as coach after the 2006 World Cup has taken Germany to the Euro 2008 final where like Wednesday’s semi-final they were beaten by Spain — has been out of contract since June 30.
However, according to Bild despite initial talks having broken down earlier this year over financial disagreements and also over Loew’s desire to have more control over the Under-21 side, German Football Federation (DFB) president Zwanziger will rubberstamp the new agreement on July 30 at an executive committee meeting.
The new contract will see Loew -— who has the best overall record for a German manager of 38 wins in 55 matches — take charge till Euro 2012.
However, Zwanziger said that while there was a good chance of Loew signing a new contract, the crucial talks still had to be held.
“The decision has been taken to meet after the finals are over and things have calmed down,” Zwanziger said.
“Joachim Loew knows that we want to stick with him and I believe the chances of that being the case are good,” he said.
Loew is still to hold talks with his backroom staff and general manager Oliver Bierhoff to see if they are satisfied with the offer on their return to Germany following today’s third place match against Uruguay.
“Like we have said on several occasions, we will talk about all that after the finals,” Bierhoff said.
“It is imperative that everyone has three to four days to themselves at home and have the time to reflect and recharge their batteries. There is no deadline,” he said.
Should Loew agree to a new contract it would come as a huge blow to DFB technical director Matthias Sammer, who was being touted as a possible alternative to Loew and also vehemently opposed the German coach having more responsibility for the Under-21 side.
Sammer, who guided the Under-21 side to European glory last year with a side including World Cup stars Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Sami Kedira, does not enjoy good relations with Bierhoff and has stayed away from South Africa during the finals.
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