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The era of Joachim Löw as coach of the German national soccer team ends after 17 years.
The German Football Association (DFB) announced this on Tuesday.
Löw, who took over the office from Jürgen Klinsmann in the summer of 2006, will only act as national coach until the European championship in the summer and then step down.
Actually, his contract is still valid until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be highly motivated as far as the upcoming European Championship tournament is concerned,” said Löw, explaining his decision: “Proud, because it is something very special and one for me It is an honor to be committed to my country.
And because I have been working with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and have been able to support them in their development. "
His greatest triumph: Löw 2014 in Rio with the World Cup trophy
Source: Getty Images / Laurence Griffiths
Löw would associate “great triumphs and painful defeats” with these players: “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 prepared an optimal working environment for me and the team. "
“I'll do my best,” says Löw
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Since the debacle at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when the DFB selection as defending champion failed in the preliminary round, Löw has been criticized.
Most recently, after the 0: 6 in Spain in autumn of the previous year, there was again heated debate about an early replacement of the national coach.
Löw was only allowed to continue after clarifying discussions with the DFB top.
He wants to use this trust again in the summer for a successful tournament.
"For the upcoming European Championship, I still feel the absolute will as well as great energy and ambition," said Löw: "I will do my best to give our fans great pleasure and to be successful at this tournament.
I also know that this applies to the entire team. "
Start as assistant coach: Löw 2006 at the home World Cup at the side of Jürgen Klinsmann
Source: AFP via Getty Images / MICHAEL URBAN
DFB President Fritz Keller thanked the 2014 world champion coach: “I have great respect for Joachim Löw's decision.
The DFB knows what he has in Jogi, he is one of the greatest coaches in world football. "Keller continues:" Jogi Löw has shaped German football like no other over the years and has helped it to achieve the highest international reputation.
Not only because of his sporting achievements, but also because of his empathy and humanity.
That he informed us of his decision at an early stage is extremely decent.
He gives us as the DFB the necessary time to name his successor calmly and with a sense of proportion. "
Source: Bongarts / Getty Images / Friedemann Vogel
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Oliver Bierhoff, director of the national teams, also thanked his long-term companion.
“We were able to experience so much together and also get through together.
It's a special relationship that is characterized above all by absolute trust, "said Bierhoff:" Under Jogi, the national team once again stood for joy in playing and attractive offensive football, this team and its players have developed incredibly with him.
I regret that after the EURO we will part ways professionally.
We will stay connected personally. "
Borussia Dortmund's managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke immediately called for unity in German football.
“Joachim Löw's decision deserves a lot of respect because it is a decision of one's own strength.
Löw did great things for German football during his time as national coach, "said Watzke: Everyone in German football is now called upon to do their part to enable Joachim Löw to achieve the grand degree he deserves in the summer."
Source: Getty Images / Matthew Ashton - AMA