Commentary
Klinsmann's Job Even Tougher with the "Kaiser" Looking Over His Shoulder
By Jeff Rathke
March 20, 2006
Let me begin by noting that I expect Germany to win against the U.S. on Wednesday. Sure, they're no. 22, we're - what - five? Still, the depleted U.S. roster, the home turf advantage, and the desperation in Germany over the fate of their national team likely will combine to give the edge to the hosts.
But Lord help Juergen Klinsmann if his side falls to the Yanks. Just when a team should be finding its stride in preparation for the World Cup, Germany is mired in uncertainty; the 4-1 defeat in Italy a couple weeks back is only the latest performance they have turned in that has failed to meet Germany's expectations. Former greats such as Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rumminegge have begun questioning Klinsmann's choices and tactics, joining a growing chorus of no-confidence. Things have calmed somewhat, as the Germans seem to realize they have no easy alternative to this head coach at this point.
Of all the countries you expect to follow the management techniques of the late-70's New York Yankees, ( "Billy, you're hired... or was it, fired? Choose your Miller Lite script.) Germany would be one of the last. So it's surprising - and perhaps a little amusing - to see the situation the Cup's host nation is in less than three months before the start of the tournament.
In line with the national stereotypes, German soccer projects an image of competence, continuity, and tenacity. These are three-time World Cup winners, of course, an achievement that owes more to fortitude than to flair. (Beating the Cruyff-led Dutch in '74? Or the Argentinians in '90... even the official FIFA World Cup web site describes that one as uninspiring.)
At the center of German football is Beckenbauer -- the "Kaiser." He captained the '74 Cup winners, and coached the '90 squad whose victory heightened the euphoria surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. He remains, through his roles as President of the World Cup Organizing Committee and President of Bayern Munich, the most influential figure in German soccer. (By the way, Dave O'Brien, the Kaiser was famously a right-footed kicker.)
Germany has had only seven national coaches in the team's history. Four out of the last five (over the last 22 years) have been former stars of the national team. Beckenbauer's record speaks for itself. But what of those who have followed since the Kaiser relinquished the job in 1990? Berti Vogts (who marked Johann Cruyff in the '74 final) won a European Championship in 1996, but his teams (including Klinsmann, Andreas Brehme, Lothar Matthaeus, as well as Effenberg, Sammer, Moeller, and others) underperformed as a rule. (Vogts went on to coach Scotland for a spell, resigning when he was reported to be on the verge of getting the ax. He cited "disgraceful abuse" after a string of poor performances.) Rudi Voeller then coached the team (reaching the 2002 World Cup finals, where Germany was outclassed by Brazil), handing off to Klinsmann after the shattering first-round exit at the 2004 European Championship.
Klinsmann compiled a reasonable record in 2005: losses to Brazil, Slovakia and Turkey; ties against France, Argentina, Russia, and The Netherlands; and 7 victories, although the only decent team Germany beat last year was Mexico. Considering the talent available to him, this might be the best one could expect -- there are no Beckenbauers, Gerd Muellers, or even Klinsmanns suiting up for Germany these days. But what has rankled Germans as much as the mediocre record has been the way Klinsmann has achieved it. He continues to reside in California, commuting to Germany when necessary. This is obviously good for his frequent flier balance and family harmony; whether it has a salutary effect on his match preparation and the morale of his squad is another question.
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, met with Klinsmann last week to express her support for the team (and implicitly, for its coach). This was about the same time Beckenbauer was publicly instructing Klinsmann to start Oliver Kahn in goal, and warning that he did not have a "good feeling" about the World Cup. The message for Klinsmann is sobering. As for me, if it comes to choosing who prevails, I'd pick a Kaiser over a Chancellor any day.