When news broke last week that Pep Guardiola had agreed to become the next coach of Bayern Munich, much of the reaction focused on how wise Guardiola had been to choose a ‘real club’ with proper football values over the kind of plastic pop-up projects on offer at Chelsea or Manchester City.

Germany and Portugal were last night facing UEFA fines following their Euro 2012 opener.

The German Football Association have asked Ryan Babel to explain comments published on his Twitter account in which he criticised referee Thorsten Kinhofer, who sent him off at the weekend.

There are real differences between German and Spanish football, above all when it comes to finance and development, writes David Shonfield

The German Football Association has called for a “thorough” investigation into the latest betting scandal to hit the nation.

Germany have called off their friendly with Chile in Cologne on Saturday following the suicide of goalkeeper Robert Enke, the German FA have confirmed.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has undergone surgery on both feet, the German football federation have announced.

Germany captain Michael Ballack is an injury doubt for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Wales after sitting out training today.

The president of the German Football Association has revealed Germany is not one of the countries on standby to host the 2010 World Cup should South Africa be unable to stage the event.

Arsenal’s German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted he is struggling to adjust to the new ball that will be used at Euro 2008.

JUST as we say about love and marriage, Jens Lehmann and controversy seem to go together like a horse and carriage — not least when the Arsenal goalkeeper swaps his club jersey for that of his country.

Jurgen Klinsmann has hailed the peace-pact between his feuding goalkeepers Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn as one of his great stories of the World Cup.

The German FA have expressed their disappointment over FIFA’s decision to suspend Torsten Frings for tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final clash with Italy.

Franz Beckenbauer believes England should not be downhearted about the fact there will be no English managers at the World Cup.

INTERNAL rows and personal bickering remain an entertaining sideshow but with just over 17 months to go before the 2006 World Cup in Germany there is barely a hint of trouble on the organisational front.

JURGEN Klinsmann is set to jet into Frankfurt today for further talks with the German Football Association, who hope to have him installed as national team coach within days.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp today began his preparations for a second season in the Premiership with a move for flamboyant Nigerian international Taribo West.

THE German Football Association (DFB) yesterday denied reports that players with the West Germany team which won the 1954 World Cup had used performance-enhancing stimulants but said they had received vitamin treatments.

Key witness Neil Lennon is keeping his fingers crossed that UEFA “see sense” on Monday and clear Robert Douglas to play in the Nou Camp.

Scotland manager Berti Vogts has had to pull the plug on a summit meeting with the nation’s top managers after fire swept through the country house hotel he had booked for the occasion.

THE FAI are involved in a tug-of-war with German authorities over the availability of Borussia Dortmund player Patrick Kohlman for Monday’s U-21 friendly international between Ireland and Germany in Turners Cross.

Germany coach Rudi Voller has been told his job is safe - even if they go out of the World Cup in the first round.

Germany coach Rudi Voller has been told his job is safe - even if they go out of the World Cup in the first round.