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Sack Klinsmann, bring in Hitzfeld says Effenberg
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-11 10:49
BERLIN (AFP) - Former German international Stefan Effenberg has urged the
German Football Federation (DFB) to sack manager Jurgen Klinsmann immediately
and replace him with former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
"If I was in charge then I would get rid of Klinsmann right away and get
Ottmar Hitzfeld in," Effenberg told Bild daily. "I would even suggest doing that
before the United States game."
Germany host the United States on March 22 in Dortmund with Klinsmann under
extreme pressure after a 4-1 thrashing by Italy in Florence last Wednesday.
His refusal to leave his United States home has stirred up controversy and
Franz Beckenbauer, who was Klinsmann's manager when West Germany won the 1990
World Cup, claimed it was time for him to spend more time in Germany.
"I know Klinsmann and he will not give an inch. The rest of the world is
laughing at us and the others are losing respect," Effenberg said.
Klinsmann is widely expected to lead the host nation at the World Cup,
running from June 9 until July 9, but Effenberg, 37, believes a change is needed
even though the finals begin in just three months time.
Not content with calling for Klinsmann's dismissal Effenberg, who played with
the current German manager in the early 1990's, called for his old Bayern Munich
boss Hitzfeld to take over the reins.
Hitzfeld turned down the German job after the Euro 2004 finals, as did Greece
manager Otto Rehhagel, before Klinsmann agreed to succeed Rudi Voller.
"I do not think he would say no a second time if you asked him," declared
Effenberg.
Hitzfeld, who won four German titles, two German cups and the 2001 Champions
League crown with Bayern, is currently a free agent working as an expert on
German television.
Klinsmann has so far refused to comment on all the speculation surrounding
his future saying his future hinges on the World Cup.
"No I would not say that my job is on the US game," Klinsmann told magazine
Kicker. "I am enjoying the job and it is possible that I will carry on after the
World Cup."
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