Klinsmann Will Coach Germany
Juergen Klinsmann, a hero from Germany’s last World Cup champion, has agreed to a two-year contract to coach the slumping team, the German soccer federation announced Monday.
Klinsmann, 39, becomes the ninth coach of the three-time World Cup champion and the youngest in the country’s history.
After announcing the agreement, the spokesman of the German Federation (DFB), Harald Stenger said: “The subject of continuing talks is now strictly about the sports side.”
Klinsmann is expected by many to launch a major reform of the DFB to try to restore prestige to Germany, which reached four of five World Cup finals between 1974 and 1990, winning two.
The well-traveled forward, who had played for Inter Milan, AS Monaco and Tottenham, and was a technical advisor to the Galaxy, is still negotiating with the DFB, apparently over how much control he will have to make changes.
Liverpool in a Rout
Djibril Cisse scored twice, and 1998 World Cup hero Michael Owen had a goal to lead Liverpool to a 5-1 victory over Celtic in a Champions World Series exhibition in front of 24,271 at East Hartford, Conn.
Cisse scored in the 62nd minute for Liverpool’s third goal and in the 76th minute for its last goal.
Herzog to Stay
Austrian and Galaxy midfielder Andreas Herzog will not play in what was to be his international farewell match against Germany next month, the player said.
Herzog was expected to play his last international match Aug. 18 in Vienna. He has played for Austria 103 times.
“It would have been the perfect occasion, but we have every chance of winning,” said Herzog, referring to Galaxy’s shot at the Major League Soccer title, “so I won’t play.”
The Galaxy is in first place in the Western Conference of MLS, one point ahead of the Kansas City Wizards.
Friedel Injured
U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel could sit out the start of the English Premier League season and a World Cup qualifier after suffering a right thigh injury. Friedel was injured in the first half of Blackburn’s exhibition game against Czech club Bohemians in Germany on Saturday. Blackburn said that Friedel probably will sit out the next two weeks. The league opener is Aug. 15.
Quick Passes
England midfielder Nicky Butt is close to completing his move from Manchester United to English Premier League rival Newcastle. Butt left the United States, where United is playing in an exhibition tour, to complete the deal with Newcastle. ... Dutch international winger Marc Overmars will retire because of knee problems. Overmars, 31, was released by FC Barcelona at the end of last season despite having a year left on his contract. ... Iraq scored with four minutes left to defeat Saudi Arabia, 2-1, at Chengdu, China, and join Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup. Uzbekistan beat Turkmenistan, 1-0, at Chongqing. After Saudi Arabia’s loss, coach Gerard van der Lem was fired.
