Germany manager Joachim Low will step down from his role as the manager of his national team after the European Championship, scheduled between June 11 2021 to July 11 2021.
The 61-year-old will call time on his 15-year reign with Die Mannschaft during which he won the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Low was contracted with Germany until 2022, but will vacate his role after requesting the German Football Federation, the governing body, to end his contract early.
Low was under pressure since Germany’s premature exit in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The defending champions finished at the bottom of their table, which comprises Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.
"I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship tournament," said Low.
"Proud, because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved with my country. And because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.
"I have had great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments - not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment."
As for Euro 2021, Germany are stacked in a rather difficult group with France, Hungary and defending champions, Portugal. They open their campaign against France on June 15 in Germany’s Allianz Arena.
"The fact that he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent," said DFB president Fritz Keller.
"He gives us the necessary time to name his successor."
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Fabrice Coffrini
