The chair of the DFB (German Football Association) has expressed its trust in Steffi Jones after the German women’s national team were knocked out of the Euros in the Netherlands. The national coach’s contract is being extended until the 2019 World Cup in France and contains an option of a further extension up to the 2020 Olympic Games.
The decision was taken after intense discussions with DFB president Reinhard Grindel, DFB vice-president Hannelore Ratzeburg, general secretary Dr. Friedrich Curtius and women’s football director Heike Ullrich, in which Steffi Jones discussed the positives and negatives of the Euros championship as well as what lessons can be drawn from the early exit. The addition of a second assistant coach should also further enhance the coaching staff’s potential.
Grindel: “Jones deserves a second chance as national coach”
DFB president Reinhard Grindel says “Steffi Jones has convinced us with her analysis that she has gained valuable experience from the disappointing Euros result and has learned lessons for her future work. We are certain that she has the sporting competence to end the 2019 World Cup, her next big challenge, successfully. The fact that the team have come out in support of their coach and that many positive signs are coming from the Women’s Bundesliga consolidated our decision. Steffi Jones has earned much respect in the world of women’s football over the years, as a player and as a coach. As a board, we are confident that she deserves a second chance as national coach.”
DFB vice-president Hannelore Ratzeburg explains “We saw at the Euros that the power of international women’s football has grown. Players were missing due to injury before the tournament and we’ve lost experienced players to retirement, which caused big changes in the team; this shouldn’t be an excuse but it was considered as part of the greater picture. We have to carry on improving the team and we trust that Steffi Jones and the staff around her will take the team in the right direction.”
Jones: “Win back lost trust”
National coach Steffi Jones adds “I’m delighted to have the board’s confidence but, at the same time, I see the vote for me and my team as a duty to draw the right conclusions from the Euros for our future work. My first tournament as national coach was a learning process for me, which is why we have to make a few adjustments. Our goal is to further develop the team and its organisation, to win back lost trust and to be successful again.”
The women’s national team begin their qualification for the 2019 World Cup with a game against Slovenia in Ingolstadt on 16th September (14:00 CEST). The squad will also face Iceland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and the Faroe Islands in Group 5.