New Germany contract for Low

Germany coach Joachim Low today signed a two-year contract extension which ties him to the role until after the 2014 World Cup finals, the German Football Federation announced.

Low’s current deal was due to expire after next summer’s European Championship but he was keen for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible after admitting contract discussions preyed on his mind during Germany’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa last year.

Low’s backroom staff – assistant Hansi Flick, goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke and team manager Oliver Bierhoff – have also signed new two-year deals.

Low said: “I am pleased that we were able to agree quickly to a continuation of the cooperation until after the World Cup in 2014 together with German Football Federation (DFB) president Dr Theo Zwanziger and secretary general Wolfgang Niersbach.

“We believe that it makes sense to continue along this successful path with the national team.

“Hansi Flick, Andreas Kopke, Oliver Bierhoff and I enjoy this wonderful job.

“We believe in the quality of our players and see good prospects for our team.

“Therefore we have gladly accepted the offer from the DFB leadership to renew early.

“The relationship we have has been demonstrated by the fact the negotiations have been completed within a few days.”

Zwanziger added: “The open dealings are an important prerequisite for the continuation of our work.

“I wish Joachim Low and the entire sport management much success with this young and promising team for the ongoing qualification, the upcoming European Championship in Poland and Ukraine and the World Cup in Brazil. ”

Low has been linked with the manager’s position at Bayern Munich, which will be vacated by Louis van Gaal in the summer, but ruled out the possibility of combining that role with his national team duties.

“No, that for me was never an option,” Low added. “DFB and Bayern, DFB and Dortmund or DFB and Bremen is not possible. It would conflict with the interests of the league.”

Low took over the national team in 2006 and led them to the final of Euro 2008 - where they lost to Spain – and the World Cup semi-finals in 2010, where they lost 1-0 to the same opposition.