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The special afternoon started with great praise.

"Jogi Löw ushers in a new era, and I am of the opinion: at the right time," said Fritz Keller.

The President of the German Football Association (DFB) sat on Thursday with the national coach and director Oliver Bierhoff at the association headquarters in Frankfurt and addressed Löw directly in the press conference broadcast live: “You gave us the time, calmly and with everyone Care to prepare your succession.

And now you can say something about it, that's your show today. ”Loew smiled.

On Tuesday the DFB announced that Löw would stop as national coach after the EM planned for next summer.

The news and its consequences had even pushed the pandemic down on the front pages of online portals and newspapers.

Löw looked tidy and relaxed when he spoke for the first time about the reasons for his decision.

“I've always said that the team needs space and time and development.

It is a time of renewal, a time of change and movement, ”said the 61-year-old.

The 15 years as a national coach are almost "an eternity".

The upheaval in the team should "in no case fail because the coach is stuck on his chair".

Joachim Löw will have time for success with the national team until the summer - after the European Championship he will stop as national coach

Source: dpa

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His decision was made a few weeks ago.

He had planned a long time ago to think intensively in February and March.

In particular, "where we are, where I am, what do I want and what kind of feeling do I have for the future".

In the pandemic, you have more time to think about it, regardless of the 6-0 draw against Spain in November, it was the last to go.

During his appearance, Löw gave the convincing impression that the most important question for him was: What is the best for the national team?

With a view to the EM 2024, he said: “A tournament in your own country can achieve an incredible amount, and above all innovate.

I don't see myself in this position anymore in 2024. ”His successor must be given the time he needs to prepare the team.

At the upcoming European Championship he wanted to "achieve the maximum again".

And then?

WELT asked Löw if he could imagine a future as a club coach.

His answer: “I didn't really think about what my future would look like after the tournament.” The European Championship was all about concentrating.

"You have to see what comes after that, and I have to let that come my way."

"No urgent decision"

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The search for a successor has begun at the DFB.

Keller emphasized that Bierhoff had already received an order from the association's management to conduct an investigation.

"It's a very important decision, but not an urgent one," said Bierhoff.

He left it open whether the new coach will be presented before or after the European Championship.

"In September at the latest, when we can no longer fall back on Jogi, we have to have a new coach," said President Keller.

President Fritz Keller (left) and Joachim Löw at the press conference on Thursday

Source: AFP

A survey by the opinion research institute YouGov showed: Almost a quarter of Germans would like Jürgen Klopp to be Löw's successor.

But Klopp already canceled Tuesday for the summer and referred to his contract with Liverpool FC, valid until June 2024.

"And even if Liverpool throws me out of here: When my time here is up, I'll take a year off," said the master's coach at Sky.

He thinks Ralf Rangnick would be good for the DFB.

In fact, Rangnick would be ready.

It is a "job that leaves no one in Germany indifferent," said the former trainer from RB Leipzig to Sky.

Basically, he could imagine anything.

“For me it's primarily a question of timing.

At the moment I'm free, ”said the 62-year-old.

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Bierhoff and Keller do not want to comment on candidate names.

When asked about the profile of the new national coach, Bierhoff said that, among other things, he had to make quick decisions, communicate well and be able to withstand pressure.

There are no prohibitions on thinking, emphasized Keller.

Bierhoff made it clear, however, that it would not be a foreign coach - and said: "We are lucky that we have good coaches: in Germany, abroad and in the DFB." Survey results will certainly not help you choose a new coach.

Löw does not want to interfere in the search.

Another candidate is Hans-Dieter "Hansi" Flick.

The coach at Bayern is always offended by sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and is very respected by the national players.

"We have worked together for many years, everyone knows the quality of Hansi," said Löw on Thursday about his former assistant coach.

Debate about Müller and Co.

The DFB continues to expect an EM in twelve countries.

Bierhoff plans that the team will complete their preparation in Tyrol and move into their quarters in Herzogenaurach during the tournament.

Löw left it open whether Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng, who were booted by Löw two years ago, will be there.

“I would like people to listen to me.

I neither opened nor closed the door, ”he said of the discussion about the trio in the past few weeks.

The return of Müller and Hummels is considered likely.

Some national players now see an obligation after the often disappointing internationals.

"Now there is one more reason that we are trying everything to successfully contest the European Championship," wrote captain Manuel Neuer on Instagram.

At the end of next week, Löw will nominate his squad for the last three international matches before the EM summer.

The anticipation of the tournament could be seen in his “show” in Frankfurt.

Keller praised him as a world coach.

"But we would like to start the big laudation when the European Championship is over, we still have that ahead of us," said the head of the association.

Despite all of Löw's merits, it needs a tournament that goes much better for the German team than the desolate World Cup 2018. The players, according to Keller, can give Löw a farewell present at this EM.

The decision of the trainer could be a "new kick" for her.

And Loew said he had a good feeling.

"If there is something I particularly love about the job," he said, "then it's a tournament."