Germany turn the lights on Löw

As Germany prepare for their first UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers, new coach Joachim Löw is already thinking about victory in the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Footballing brain
Jürgen Klinsmann may have been the public face of the youthful Germany side that impressed in reaching the FIFA World Cup semi-finals but Löw was its footballing brain, dictating tactics and training routines. "Löw was never an assistant coach to me," said Klinsmann as he handed over the reins. "He did the real work and his part in our success was huge."

'No other goal'
The 46-year-old coach may not be a big name in European circles, but a convincing 3-0 win in his first game in charge, a friendly game against Sweden, has given Germans reason to be optimistic for the opening Group D qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. "We won't underestimate Ireland, but we certainly want to win our home match - there can be no other goal for us," said Löw.

Single-minded approach
Such single-minded statements have been something of a hallmark of Löw's tenure so far. On his appointment he made no secret of his ambitions for the UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign ahead, saying: "It's our goal to win the title and I will try to do everything I can to do so." In that respect, circumstances may be conspiring in the coach's favour.

Strong squad
As he said himself: "The team is in good shape, there's no need for big experiments." The spine of Löw's side is certainly strong. World Cup Golden Shoe winner Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski are certain picks up front, Chelsea FC's Michael Ballack is a solid midfield choice while Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker - both of whom miss the opening qualifiers through injury - helped form a rock-solid central defence during the World Cup.

Generous praise
It will take a strong coach for this talented generation to reach their peak collectively, and there is little doubt among the German footballing community that Löw is that man. The likes of Ottmar Hitzfeld and Christoph Daum went on record to sing the Schonau-born coach's praises despite his lack of major titles as a club coach.

Attacking agenda
Formerly a player for VfB Stuttgart, SC Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, Löw took the reins at Stuttgart between 1996 and 1998. Playing exciting attacking football with the likes of Krassimir Balakov, Fredi Bobic and Giovane Elber, his side won the 1996/97 German Cup and lost out 1-0 to Chelsea FC in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final the following season.

Foreign travel
His reputation as a modern coach with a penchant for clever, attack-minded tactics was further enhanced as he won the 2002 Austrian title as coach of FC Tirol Innsbruck - now FC Wacker Tirol - and he subsequently spent time in Turkey, where he coached Fenerbahçe SK and Adanaspor AS before returning to Germany to become Klinsmann's right-hand man.

Stage set
With games against the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Wales, Cyprus and San Marino to come after the Group D opener against the Irish, qualification will be no cakewalk, but having taken little public credit for Germany's World Cup successes the stage is set for Löw to take the plaudits in Austria and Switzerland in two summers' time.