Klinsmann: Not at all, this has nothing to do with gratification. In professional sports, growth and change are unavoidable. Everybody needs to strive for development, mostly coaches. Some people are open for change, others like to stick to their old ways. That’s a decision every coach has to make, as he will have to bear the consequences as well.
Question: When will we see you on the sideline again? What’s ahead in your own coaching future?
Klinsmann: I really don’t know right now. Coaching the U.S.A. really would have been a logical next step. I had some talks last year, but it didn’t work out in the end. Now we’ll have to see. My family will always be my priority. If I get an offer that me and my family feel comfortable with, I will take it. If not, that’s fine, too. I’ve been working for the same U.S. company for nine years now, and I enjoy that job a great deal.
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Former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann will be in attendance for the England vs Germany clash Wednesday night in Wembley. Klinsmann, who led Germany to a 3rd-place finish in 2006, is still tremedously popular in Germany. In an exclusive video interview with dfb.tv (see German page), Klinsmann talks about the upcoming game and his successor Joachim Löw.
Question: More than a year has passed since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now you return to Europe and, even more important, to the Mannschaft. You will be in Wembley Stadium when England play Germany on Wednesday night. How does it feel to return?
Klinsmann: It truly is a great feeling to see the team again, and to meet the old support staff once again. I still cherish the memories of my two years as the coach of the German national team. Even if it’s just for two days, it feels rather special to be a part of this team once again.
Question: Even though you live an ocean apart from Germany, with California being your home, do you ever feel nostalgic about the summer of 06?
Klinsmann: I think anybody who was part of this group and team will never forget the experience. It really was a gift, this chance, to be an active part of the German team in 2006. The emotions were tremendous, especially because of the support of the fans. This World Cup has changed the mood in Germany. You cannot shake that, it‘ll stay with all of us for ever.
Question: Your successor is your former assistant, Joachim Löw. How do you see his performance so far as the German coach, as the team leads Group D in the EURO qualifying?
Klinsmann: I feel very proud. I always knew that he’d be a great head coach. He’s a great communicator. He’s a very positive thinking coach. He’s a great leader. We both believed that the team should continue the strategy we had developed. I celebrate each victory.
Question: Many of the changes, the new methods of practicing that you have implemented with the German team, are now copied by teams from the Bundesliga. Do you feel gratification?
Klinsmann: Not at all, this has nothing to do with gratification. In professional sports, growth and change are unavoidable. Everybody needs to strive for development, mostly coaches. Some people are open for change, others like to stick to their old ways. That’s a decision every coach has to make, as he will have to bear the consequences as well.
Question: When will we see you on the sideline again? What’s ahead in your own coaching future?
Klinsmann: I really don’t know right now. Coaching the U.S.A. really would have been a logical next step. I had some talks last year, but it didn’t work out in the end. Now we’ll have to see. My family will always be my priority. If I get an offer that me and my family feel comfortable with, I will take it. If not, that’s fine, too. I’ve been working for the same U.S. company for nine years now, and I enjoy that job a great deal.
