Klinsi Critics Offer Grudging Support But Effe Wants the Sack
March 11, 2006
After it looked conceivable that Jürgen Klinsmann may be ousted even before a ball was kicked in anger at the World Cup in Germany this summer, it appears that the under-fire coach has had a stay of execution with prominent detractors now pledging their support, albeit with conditions.
German soccer monarch Franz Beckenbauer, who publicly rebuked Klinsmann for heading back to his California home after the 4-1 defeat by Italy last week instead of attending a World Cup workshop in Düsseldorf two days later, has now changed his position.
The Kaiser, speaking from Belgrade this week, now believes Germany can win the World Cup this summer with Klinsmann at the helm. "There is no question that Germany can win the World Cup. They are a young if inexperienced team and their strength lies in the support they need and surely will get from the home crowd," he told reporters.
Der Kaiser does a u-turn and backs his coach
"I am optimistic that Jürgen Klinsmann will be able to put together a very good team for the World Cup and because of the home advantage, Germany can win it," he added.
This was in direct contrast to his statements last week: "At the beginning it worked out very well and Klinsmann was able to change a few things but now there's not much left of all that."
"We are back where we were a few years ago and time is running out."
Klinsmann also got some word of support from Theo Zwanziger, the chief executive of the German Football Association (DFB).
DFB chief Zwanziger supports stay-away Klinsmann
"He's not an easy character but easy characters don't win the World Cup," Zwanziger said of the Germany coach. "We need people who go their own way and don't change their minds all the time."
However, the main point of contention at the moment, Klinmann's refusal to relocate from his California home to Germany, still obviously rankled with Zwanziger who told reporters after a DFB meeting in Düsseldorf this week that he believed he could convince Klinsmann to come back to live in his native country. "I am certain that we can convince Klinsmann that the people want to have him here," Zwanziger said.
While German soccer figures are now publicly backing Klinsmann, however grudgingly, there is a danger that the fans have already started to turn against him. Germany play the United States in Dortmund on March 22 and there are fears that Klinsmann might face a hostile reception after he announced that Borussia Dortmund players Christian Wörns and Sebastian Kehl would play no part in his World Cup plans.
Fan backlash feared ahead of crucial US test game
"I can understand how the fans in Dortmund feel but they must accept the coach's decisions," Zwanziger said. "We must all support the national team. We must go into this World Cup believing that we can win it."
"I am not the coach and it is not my duty to pick the team but it is important that, despite the depressing game in Italy, we all support our young players," he said.
One person without a vested interest in smoothing things over for the sake of World Cup appearances is former German international Stefan Effenberg who has come out publicly to say what a lot of fans, and even possibly soccer insiders, believe by urging the DFB to sack manager Klinsmann immediately and replace him with former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Effenberg would sack Klinsi now and install Hitzfeld
"If I was in charge then I would get rid of Klinsmann right away and get Ottmar Hitzfeld in," Effenberg told Bild daily. "I would even suggest doing that before the United States game."
"I know Klinsmann and he will not give an inch. The rest of the world is laughing at us and the others are losing respect," Effenberg said.
Effenberg, who played with the current German manager in the early 1990's, believes a change is needed even though the finals begin in just three months time. Not content with calling for Klinsmann's dismissal, Effenberg called for his old Bayern Munich boss Hitzfeld to take over the reins.
Hitzfeld turned down the German job after the Euro 2004 finals, as did Greece manager Otto Rehhagel, before Klinsmann agreed to succeed Rudi Völler. "I do not think he would say no a second time if you asked him," declared Effenberg.
Hitzfeld, who won four German titles, two German cups and the 2001 Champions League crown with Bayern, is currently a free agent working as an expert on German television.
Klinsmann hints at contract extension beyond World Cup
Klinsmann has so far refused to comment on all the speculation surrounding his future saying his future hinges on the World Cup. "No I would not say that my job is on the US game," Klinsmann told Kicker magazine. "I am enjoying the job and it is possible that I will carry on after the World Cup."