Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Joachim Löw isn’t ready to step aside after winning the 2014 World Cup.
The German National Team manager confirmed in an interview with the German FA (DFB) that he will be staying on as manager for another two years, through Euro 2016. The news will take Löw to ten years in charge of the national team, the longest one person has remained in this position since Helmut Schön did from 1964-1978.
“At the moment I can think of nothing better than to continue working with this team to lead them to the European Championship in France,” Löw said. “I am as motivated as the first day with the DFB. In Brazil we celebrated a huge success, but there are still other goals we want to achieve. The 2014 World Cup was a highlight for all, but it was not the conclusion.”
Löw took over from current U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann following the 2006 World Cup and has led Germany to a third-place finish in 2010 and a World Cup title in 2014, going undefeated in the seven-game gauntlet.
Here are some more stories to kick off your Wednesday:
VAN GAAL CRITICIZES U.S. TOUR
New Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal didn’t mince words when asked about the club’s tour of the USA.
Man United are currently in Los Angeles and are set to travel to Denver, Washington D.C., Ann Arbor, Mich., and potentially Miami before returning back to England, racking up more than 13,500 miles of travel. At a press conference on Tuesday evening, Van Gaal stated that the tour, which has been put on for commercial purposes, is getting in the way of the club’s preparation for next season.
“We have to prepare the season and when you have commercial activities and dreadful distances, having to fly a lot and the jet lag, it is not very positive for a good preparation,” Van Gaal told reporters. “The tour was already arranged and I shall adapt and United will do everything to apply to my rules, but I have said that already.”
When asked if next season’s preseason plans would be so wide-reaching, Van Gaal hinted that it would be much shorter.
QUICK KICKS
Man City U-21 coach Patrick Viera pulled his team off the field in a friendly match in Croatia due to racist abuse to one of his team’s players. (REPORT)
Arsenal have agreed to pay Nice a £3 million transfer fee to sign Colombian international goalkeeper David Ospina. (REPORT)
Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu has completed a €20 million transfer move to Barcelona, becoming the most expensive defender 30-years or older. (REPORT)
Hamburg is reportedly interested in signing Belgian defender Daniel Van Buyten. (REPORT)
Toulouse right back Serge Aurier is close to finalizing a move to Paris Saint-Germain. (REPORT)
Shakhtar Donetsk have moved their home base temporarily to Lviv, more than 600 miles away from Donetsk, in a bid to have their six AWOL players return to the squad. (REPORT)
Former Barcelona wunderkind Bojan Krkic has completed a permanent move away from the club, moving to Stoke City for a reported fee of £3 million. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Did you expect Löw to remain as Germany coach? Think they can win Euro 2016? Do you agree with Van Gaal’s comments?
Share your thoughts below.