Joachim Low Wants a New Contract: Should It Be Offered to Him?

The 2006 World Cup saw attractive football dominate the usually clinical and defensive Germany side. It was all a result of one man’s philosophy and another man’s brains. Jurgen Klinsmann brought in attractive football, while Joachim Low worked on the tactics. Had it not been for Gianluigi Buffon, Germany may well have made the final in Berlin.

The young squad were given a hero’s welcome in Berlin and they showed their appreciation by providing attractive football for their fans in Euro qualifiers and friendlies. They thrashed hapless San Marino 13-0 and 6-0, beat Slovakia 4-1, beat the Czechs 2-1, and beat England in a friendly 2-1.

The first match of the Euros saw the same attractive football and attacking approach to the game as the Germans outclassed the Polish 2-0.

A terrible loss against Croatia followed by a narrow victory against the Austrians sent them to the quarters where they outclassed the Portuguese. The match against Turkey saw the clinical Germany seal a breath-taking victory. In the final, after 15 minutes, Germany were outplayed!

What really brought this question about Low’s future into my mind was the friendly against England.

Patrick Helmes’ goal made the scoreline slightly respectable, but the Mannschaft still lost!

Germany were busy defending for most of the game, the attacking approach was gone. Simon Rolfes was playing that night alongside Jermaine Jones. Both are defensive players. The tasty football was slowly returning to the old, boring, unattractive football.

I wanted to see the Germany of the Klinsmann era.

Joachim Low had Tim Borowski at his disposal. He could have given the team a more attacking approach.

During the Euros, the Klose Podolski partnership wasn’t used even once. This partnership was one of the huge reasons behind the success of the German team in the World Cup.

Then came the arguments, Ballack vs Low, Frings vs Low. The truth was revealed as Low did not pay enough respect to the duo. The curtains had been raised, the truth had been revealed about the players’ attitudes towards their coach. They were losing respect for Low.

Kuranyi wasn’t treated with the slightest bit of respect. He had given us three points against the Czechs. He was kicked out of the national team.

Low doesn’t seem to know his perfect lineup. In the match against Finland, the defence consisting of Serdar Tasci and Heiko Westermann were torn into bits. In the match against Russia, Rene Adler saved his side from a late onslaught.

The centre of midfield isn’t working out. Schweinsteiger and Trochowski are doing fine in the wings but what about the centre of midfield?

Klose and Podolski have not played together up front for quite a while. Mario Gomez and Klose have understanding, unfortunately Gomez has problems converting for Germany.

With all these things in mind, does Low really deserve the new contract he wants? I would rather like to see Hansi Flick take over, or probably someone similar to Klinsmann takeover...but not Rudi Voller...