Joachim Löw will step down as Germany manager after Euro 2020, bringing an end to his 15 years in charge. An announcement on Tuesday from the German Football Association, the DFB, confirmed the 61-year-old, who led Germany to victory in the 2014 World Cup, will leave his post in the summer.
Löw had been contracted until the 2022 World Cup but approached the DFB to request an early departure following the conclusion of this summer’s delayed tournament.
“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship tournament,” Löw said. “Proud because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved in my country and because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.
Joachim #Löw will step down as national team head coach after @EURO2020. pic.twitter.com/t4OuyQmaSC
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) March 9, 2021
“I have great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments – not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment.”
Germany are in Group F at Euro 2020, where they will face fellow heavyweights France and Portugal as well as Hungary, with all their matches scheduled to be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Löw has his sights set on leaving the job on a high.
“I still feel the unconditional will as well as great energy and ambition for the upcoming European Championship. I will do my best to make our fans happy and successful at this tournament. I also know that this applies to the entire team.”
Under Löw, Germany reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, losing against the hosts France, but then endured an exit at the group stage of the World Cup for the first time in 2018 while also failing to impress in the inaugural Nations League campaign. Löw previously served as assistant to Jürgen Klinsmann between 2004 and 2006 before being appointed as manager.
“The DFB knows what it has in Jogi, he is one of the greatest coaches in world football,” said the DFB president, Fritz Keller. “Jogi Löw has shaped German football like barely anyone else for years and helped it achieve the highest international standing. Not only because of his sporting achievements, but also because of his empathy and humanity.
“The fact that he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent. He gives us at the DFB the necessary time to name his successor, calmly and with a sense of proportion.”
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has ruled himself out of contention. “Am I available for the job after the summer? No,” he said. “Someone else will do the job and with the number of good German managers I am sure the German FA will find a good solution. I have three years left at Liverpool. You sign a contract and you stick to it.”