And now Klinsmann Quits

Jeurgen Klinsmann has also quit as coach of Germany.

Klinsmann has told the co-president of the German soccer federation, Theo Zwanziger, that he will not be staying on, Bild newspaper reported in a preview of its Wednesday edition, without identifying its source.

Then later on today a German Football Federation official confirmed thsese reports that he'd be stepping aside.

"It was anything but an easy decision but one I had to make," he told a news conference in Frankfurt.

"My great wish is to go home to be with my family, to return to a normal life with my family.

"A further important reason is that, in the wake of these two years, I've lost a lot of strength (dealing) with the functionaries and at this moment I don't feel able to continue this work. I feel internally burned out. I owe it to myself to take a six-month holiday now. I won't do anything else."

All of the Germany players wanted him to stay and around 93% of the German public agreed according to the Promit research institute in Dortmund .

But some sections of the media aren't so supportive. Claus Strunz, editor of the Bild am Sonntag newspaper said: "If Klinsmann just sends us an e-mail saying 'I'm not coming back', it would be a betrayal to the emotions Germany invested in him."

Jeurgan will now be replaced by Joachim Loew.

Reuters reports that Klinsmann had not had a great time with the German football authorities:

The German Football Association (DFB) has caused him much grief in two years, challenging his decisions, denying several staff requests and hiring some executive personnel he opposes."

Resources: Express / World Soccer / Football365 / Mirror / Reuters / Eurosport / The Guardian / Clubcall / TeamTalk / The Sun / ESPN

Image: Gulf Times