FRANKFURT – Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named
the national team among the favourites for Euro 2020 because "it is
in our DNA" to win titles - though his successor Joachim Loew is not
so sure.
Loew said ahead of the final qualifier Germany won 6-1 against
Northern Ireland on Tuesday that he doesn't rate his side among the
top contenders because he in the process of reshaping the team.
But Klinsmann, who coached Germany 2004-2006 and to third place at
the home World Cup 13 years ago, told ntv.de in an interview
published Wednesday that "we belong among the world elite.
"We are automatically part of it. Through our league. Through our
culture. Through our success," Klinsmann said.
Klinsmann said it was understandable that Loew was slightly dimming
the expectations but insisted that "there will be no German player
who goes into the Euros and says I will be happy if we make the
semis. That doesn't happen.
"Every German player, every coach, every fan starts into a tournament
with the aim to win the title. That is simply in our DNA.
"The Euros will show how far the team is. Maybe it is too early. But
you must go into the Euros with the expectation that 'I want to win
this thing,' regardless whether you are 19 or 30. Manuael Neuer won't
go into the tournament saying semis would be good. That's not on."
Germany have a record tying three Euro titles from 1972, 1980 and
1996; plus four world titles from 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014.
Klinsmann played in the 1990 team and that of 1996 which he
captained.