Joachim Löw to step down as Germany manager after Euro 2020
over 4 years in The Irish Times
Joachim Löw will step down from his role as Germany manager following Euro 2020 after asking to end his contract early, the German Football Association has announced.
Löw, 61, took over from Jurgen Klinsmann in August 2006 and went on to guide Die Mannschaft to World Cup success in 2014, when they memorably defeated hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals.
Germany reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, losing to hosts France, but then suffered an exit at the group stage of the World Cup for the first time in 2018 while also failing to impress in the inaugural Uefa Nations League campaign.
Löw, who was assistant to Klinsmann from 2004, had been contracted until the 2022 World Cup, but approached the German Football Association (DFB) to request an early departure following the conclusion of this summer’s delayed tournament.
“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship tournament,” Löw said on the German Football Association website, www.dfb.de.
“Proud because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved in my country and because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.
“I have great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments — not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment.”