Coach Low spills secrets of German soccer success

London: Germany coach Joachim Low has said the collaboration between domestic Bundesliga clubs, the German FA and the DFB is one of the main reasons behind their success.

Low has been part of the system since becoming former boss Jurgen Klinsmann’s assistant in 2004 before taking over as manager after the 2006 World Cup. He has refused to take sole credit for the emergence of an exciting German side, which would face England’s conquerors Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-final tonight. “There are lots of people who are responsible. It’s a product in Germany of many institutions, the DFB, the clubs and so on. They’ve done a lot of work at the clubs in the youth development,” Low said. “They’re much better than 10 years ago when it was all about conditioning and strength. Now it’s more technical. Our philosophy with the national team is embedded in the players and the football we want to play,” he added. “We look for players who can fit into this culture and adapt and the players we have can play at this high level,” he said. The DFB runs the game and they work with the German Football League and the national side. No one can own more than 49 per cent of a club, meaning the interests of German football comes first over self-interest. After the disastrous showing at Euro 2000, where they crashed out at the group stage, Germany went on board on a far-reaching alter of their youth structure. “The relationship between the DFB and the league is very close. There are discussions but, in the end, we always make sure the right decisions are made for the German team,” Wolfgang Niersbach, the general secretary of the DFB said. ANI