December 1 – Joachim Low will coach Germany at Euro 2020. The longstanding coach had come under severe pressure in recent months, but the German FA (DFB), have kept their faith in him.
Last month the Germans suffered a 6-0 trashing at the hand of Spain in Seville, leading to elimination in the Nations League and serious questions over the position of head coach Low. However, the DFB has this week said that it will back Low.
“The Executive Committee agreed that what counts is the high-quality work of the coaching staff, the intact relationship between the team and the coach and a clear concept for the previous and future procedures,” wrote the DFB in a statement.
“The defeat of the national team against Spain was also discussed in the conversation with the national coach and in the following telephone conference of the DFB board. A single game cannot and must not be a yardstick for the general performance of the national team and national coach.”
The decision came after an internal review with a key role for national team director Oliver Bierhoff. Low and Germany were questioned after the debacle in Spain. Germany has never made it out of the group stages of the Nations League and at the 2018 World Cup, the then reigning world champions were eliminated in the first round.
Low reacted by trying to renew the team, excluding seasoned players like Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng, but results have been underwhelming.
“There is the strong conviction that Joachim Low and his coaching team, despite the challenging situation, will deliver successful games and results,” said the statement. “The national team coach will take all the necessary measures so that the team plays an exciting Euro 2021.”
Germany have been drawn alongside France, Portugal and Hungary in Group F at the European championship.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734936010labto1734936010ofdlr1734936010owedi1734936010sni@o1734936010fni1734936010