Joachim Low has announced that he will step down as head coach of Germany after the 2020 European Championships (Euros).
The German head coach’s contract was until the 2022 FIFA World Cup, however, he has made his decision and asked for an early release that has been accepted by the German Football Association (DFB).
The FIFA World Cup winning coach took over from Jurgen Klinsmann back in August 2006 and led Die Mannschaft to the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil after beating the hosts 7-1 in the semifinals.
The Germans also reached the semifinals of Euro 2016 but were knocked out by hosts, France after an Antoine Griezmann brace.
It has been downhill ever since for the mighty Germans under Low. They were knocked out in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and they failed to do well in the newly created UEFA Nations League too.
Joachim Low will be hoping to make amends and see his German side succeed one more time under his reign.
Low, who started as the assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004, had been contracted until the 2022 World Cup. However, the 61-year-old approached the DFB to request an early departure following the conclusion of this summer’s delayed tournament.
“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and e normous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship tournament,” Low said.
“Proud because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved in my country and because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.
“I have great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments – not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment.”
Philipp Lahm captained Germany to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
Germany have a tough task ahead of them as they feature in Group F at Euro 2020, which many have called the Group of Death. It features world champions France and European champions Portugal.
Hungary are the fourth team in the group who will do their best to try and upset the 3 giants in world football.
Low is still optimistic about his team’s chances and is really excited for this last challenge.
“I still feel the unconditional will as well as great energy and ambition for the upcoming European Championship,” the German said.
“I will do my best to make our fans happy and successful at this tournament. I also know that this applies to the entire team.”
Current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been tipped to take over and given the turmoil of the English champions at the moment, it might not be the worst thing for Klopp to try and be a part of the new rebuild of Germany going into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
