Thursday, July 13, 2006

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Juergen Klinsmann, who coached Germany to a third-place finish at the World Cup, stepped down Wednesday and was replaced by his assistant, Joachim Loew.

Klinsmann told reporters he was leaving to spend more time with his California-based family.

"I feel burned out," said a tearful Klinsmann, adding that he would take a six-month vacation. "I have a great wish to be back with my family and my children."

Loew, 46, had worked with Klinsmann during his two-year coaching stint.

"He was never an assistant; he was a partner, who had his own areas of responsibility," Klinsmann said.

German soccer federation co-president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder thanked Klinsmann for a "wonderful time" and said "your performance was incredible."

Loew's two-year deal runs to the end of the 2008 European Championship in Switzerland and Austria.

Klinsmann's rejuvenated team went beyond expectations by finishing third, after losing to eventual champion Italy 2-0 in the semifinals.

The team's attacking, entertaining game triggered a wave of euphoria in the country and played a major role in the World Cup being a success.

Klinsmann, 41, had no previous coaching experience when he took over an ailing German squad two years ago.

After Germany beat Portugal 3-1 to take third place, Klinsmann said he would think about his future over the next few days and consult with his family.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Franz Beckenbauer, Germany's most influential soccer personality and the chief of the World Cup organizing committee, had both urged Klinsmann to stay.

The team's players also appealed to Klinsmann to remain as coach.

Kyodo News JEF United Chiba manager Ivica Osim has requested Japanese assistant coaches as he heads toward a deal for the job of national coach, Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi said Tuesday.

"Mr. Osim has asked for Japanese assistant coaches, including a goalkeeper coach, at least until the end of this year. We haven't worked out other issues," Kawabuchi said.

Yasuharu Sorimachi, currently Japan's under-21 team coach, is expected to double as a national team assistant coach. Because of that, the JFA plans to add another assistant coach.

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