By Chris Bryant in Berlin
When the final whistle sounded, confirming Germany's cruel exit from the World Cup in Dortmund last night, one man seemed to shoulder the dashed hopes of a febrile nation. Trainer Jürgen Klinsmann stared straight ahead, resolute and reflective, pondering what might have been. Despite a tough defeat, he showed how immensely proud he was of his young team's achievement.
"The disappointment is huge, the mood in the dressing room is very quiet," he said. "It's yet to sink in. It's a bitter pill. But the team can be proud: They've played a fantastic tournament, pushing themselves to the limit in every game. They've made a whole nation proud." The German coach was being modest. After all, he's the man who brought together a group of talented but underachieving young players and moulded a team which might easily have become world champions. Klinsmann has made Germany proud, but will it be enough to keep him in the job?
Speculation about Klinsmann's future is now inevitable. On Tuesday night, he refused to reveal any future plans, asking for a period of reflection before he makes a decision. "I have always said, let me have some time, a couple of days, to let everything sink in and to talk to my family," he said. But, it is likely a decision will come sooner rather than later.
Should Klinsmann bow out on a high, or complete his reinvigoration of the German football team? Fans and officials are urging him to stay. Franz Beckenbauer, head of Germany's World Cup organizing committee and a World Cup winner as both player and manager, leant his support. "I really hope that Jürgen Klinsmann continues," he said. "It would be a terrible shame if he wants to quit. He has moulded this team. The players trust him."
SPIEGEL ONLINE's German World Cup forums have also been inundated with messages of support. "He has made huge advances in only a short time … Klinsmann has shown, that he's up to the job. He should definitely stay!" wrote one fan.
Klinsmann has always stated that his future depended on the team's World Cup performance, and he has repeatedly rejected offers by the German Football Association (DFB) to extend his contract, preferring to wait to make his decision until after the tournament has concluded.
Germans should be proud
The manner of Germany's defeat is revealing about it's trainer and the qualities he has brought to the German team. With the scores level during 90 minutes of pulsating, attacking football the game entered extra time. Germany's famous ability to take penalties may have prompted a less forthright coach to order a rearguard action, all backs to the wall in defense to force a penalty shootout: not Klinsmann. He urged his side forward to win the game and ultimately paid the price. Italy's two late goals were the team's reward for providing a night of compelling, breathless football, but the Germans' performance on the pitch was also a display of which every German could be proud. As the players trudged off the field, tears in their eyes, again we saw another side to the German team. No longer calculating and cold, these players were passionate, thirsty for victory, and played all out for each other. The new team dynamic, its incisive attacking football, superior fitness and infectious team spirit are all down to one man.
Rumors of Klinsmann's imminent departure had begun circulating long before the semi-final last night. A German tabloid newspaper reported last weekend that Klinsmann had fallen out with DFB. The powers that be are apparently unimpressed with Klinsmann's continued desire to live in the United States and have threatened to make compulsory German residency a clause in any new contract. Speculation is rife that Klinsmann may opt for the quiet life in his beloved America, perhaps even taking over the job of US national team trainer, whose base is not far from Klinsmann's California home. National team manager Oliver Bierhoff is sticking by the trainer: He inserted a clause into his own contact which stipulates that he can leave should Klinsmann not carry on in the job. But Bierhoff was also sure to quash rumours of a rift today. "There isn't anyone within the DFB who doubts Jürgen Klinsmann's work," he said.
Bierhoff's contractual stipulation sheds some light on the managerial and training cohesion which has helped to bind this German side together. Klinsmann, assistant coach Joachim Löw (always dressed identically to his colleague), manager Oliver Bierhoff, technical director Matthias Sammer and fitness expert Mark Verstegen have forged a solid bond which has permeated throughout the national side. The conviction and commitment displayed on the field on Tuesday was due, in part, to Klinsmann's modern, intensive coaching style.
But, Klinsmann is right to be wary of the press adulation and to demand time to reflect. Only a few months ago, Germany was defeated 4-1 by Italy in a friendly and his training methods and American affiliation were lampooned in the press. Even his infectious optimism, Klinsmann's amiable smile, was ridiculed by the media: Germany was a no-hoper. It is the media and German fans who have been forced to see things Klinsmann's way, not the other way round. It was ever thus. When Klinsmann was still a player, he moved to English club Tottenham Hotspur, where the English press attacked him for alleged diving (to win free kicks). Klinsmann didn't flinch. Instead, after scoring the first of 30 goals for the London side, he celebrated by flinging his arms wide open and diving, like an airplane onto the floor. The crowd adored him for it and the media changed their tune. Whatever happens now, it is clear only one man is calling the shots: his name is Jürgen Klinsmann.
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