Juergen Klinsmann has told the German soccer federation (DFB) that he does not want to continue as head coach of Germany, which he guided to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup.
Klinsmann took over the German team two years before the World Cup but remained a Southern California resident and commuted to Germany. DFB President Theo Zwanziger indicated during the World Cup that it was interested in rehiring Klinsmann even if he wished to keep his U.S. residency, a point of contention until his successful World Cup run.
Mass circulation newspaper Bild, once a critic of Klinsmann, initiated a campaign to convince the 41-year-old to remain at Germany's helm. Its front page on Saturday included a petition that readers were supposed to sign to encourage Klinsmann remain coach. It also urged the Stuttgart crowd to chant his name throughout the third-place game, which it did.
Franz Beckenbauer also urged Klinsmann to continue, saying he should finish what he began.
Klinsmann initiated sweeping reforms in the German federation, from the manner which the national team was run to coaching education and player development. He said during the tournament that were he to leave, his assistants were capable carrying out his mission.
Assistant coach Joachim Loew is the considered the top candidate to replace Klinsmann.