Germany extends Loew contract until 2014

The German Football Association (DFB) has extended the contract of coach Joachim Loew, assistant coach Hansi Flick, goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke and manager Oliver Bierhoff until the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The contract extension came as a surprise and at a time when Loew was being considered as a potential replacement for Louis van Gaal at Bayern Munich, but Loew stated he never was contacted by Bayern.

The DFB wanted to avoid the problems that failed talks in February 2010 had created ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This time around everything was done in harmony and with the Loew system showing its results in Team Germany the federation wanted to keep their coach for another term and avoid contract talks around the 2012 European Championships in Poland & Ukraine.

"Joachim Loew and his team have left their mark on the team in recent years," said DFB president Theo Zwanziger. "The smooth contract talks have once again shown clearly how great the mutual trust is. These respectful, open dealings with each other is the best way to ensure the successful co-operation of the past will continue to work in the future."

With Loew extending his contract until 2014 he will try and fulfill the unfinished business by bringing the 2014 FIFA World Cup trophy back to Germany.

After the signing Loew said at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt, "I am pleased that we were able to agree quickly to a continuation of our co-operation up to the 2014 World Cup. We believe in the quality of our players and see good prospects for our team. So we were pleased to accept the offer from the DFB's senior management to sign an extension early."

And with further young talent coming out of Germany the future under Loew looks bright.