July 4 – Joachim Low is to stay on Germany’s manager despite their shock group stage exit from the World Cup.
There had been intense speculation that Low might be replaced – and possibly move to the Premier league.
But German FA (DFB) bosses have decided to keep faith with Low, who took the country to World Cup glory four years ago, and clearly see him as the best person to rebuild the squad.
Low is understood to have given a verbal commitment to see out the new contract he signed before the World Cup, which extended his stay in the role until 2022.
“I feel, in spite of the legitimate criticism of our departure, generally much support and encouragement,” said Low.
“But now I want to design the rebuilding with full commitment. It all takes time, but everything will happen in time for the start of the new international season in September.”
National team director Oliver Bierhoff said: “I am very pleased that Jogi Löw is at the helm of our national team and we sat together for a long time yesterday and I felt the full energy to continue.
“After 14 years of successful work, we now have to rebuild and we will now be thinking about it and about further structural changes.”
The defending world champions endured a disastrous tournament in Russia, suffering elimination in th4 group stage for the first time since 1938. They finished bottom behind Sweden, Mexico and South Korea. They opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Mexico, regrouped with a 2-1 win against Sweden, but were humiliated 2-0 by South Korea in their final group game.
But Low has guided them to at least the semi-finals of every major tournament they had played since he took over in 2006 and led them to World Cup triumph in 2014.
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