Miroslav Klose Retires from Football: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Miroslav Klose, Germany's all-time record goalscorer, has retired from football, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old was a free agent after leaving Lazio in the summer. However, the striker will not play again, instead opting to become a part of Germany manager Joachim Low's coaching staff, per the German FA (h/t DW Sports).

The national team's official Twitter feed confirmed his appointment:

Klose leaves a legacy as one of the most prolific international players of all time. He netted a staggering 71 times for Germany in 137 matches. Of those goals, 16 came in FIFA World Cup matches, making Klose the top scorer in the competition's history; he won the tournament as a veteran with Germany in 2014.

The triumph in Brazil was the crowning moment of Klose's stellar international career; it was his final match for the national team and his fourth World Cup. The forward also represented Germany in three UEFA European Championship competitions.

As we can see, courtesy of OptaFranz, the 71 goals scored in the national team colours puts Klose ahead of some illustrious names:

At club level, Klose also enjoyed success. He scored frequently in three seasons at Werder Bremen before moving to Bayern Munich in 2007. While the goals didn't flow in Bavaria, the striker was part of two Bundesliga title wins before moving to Lazio in 2011.

Klose spent five years in Serie A, leading the line with distinction for the capital club. The German won the 2012-13 Coppa Italia with the Biancocelesti.

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

With so much experience to pass on, Bleacher Report's Nick Akerman believes Klose will go on to thrive as a coach:

Aside from his talent as a player, Klose also fashioned a reputation for showing wonderful sportsmanship on the pitch. As we can see in the following clip, in 2012 he admitted using his hand to score for Lazio to the referee, prompting the match official to chalk off the goal:

The 38-year-old finishes his career as an undoubted legend of the game. While his club career may not make for particularly spectacular reading, to excel at the World Cup—the pinnacle of the sport—so consistently for so many years is a remarkable feat. Klose was so often the difference for Germany in tight games and a key part of their excellent record in the competition.

While his instinctive goal-poaching skills may not be teachable, young forwards working with Klose should look to soak up any advice they can from him. In terms of composure, mentality and determination on the biggest stage, few can better the former forward from this generation.