The Los Angeles Galaxy and SoccerSolutions, a sports marketing consultancy, have announced Thursday that former FIFA World Cup champion and German national team captain, Jürgen Klinsmann, has concluded his consultant role as Galaxy Technical Advisor and will become manager of the German national team. This means that Klinsmann will lead host Germany into the FIFA World Cup 2006.
"Jürgen has provided both inspiration and insight to all of us associated with the Galaxy this season. In his recently presented mid season review, which completed his responsibilities as Technical Advisor, Jürgen not only praised the characteristics that have earned the Galaxy its league leading position, he also challenged us to continue to improve and to continue to give our fans a brand of soccer that is exciting," said Galaxy president and general manager Doug Hamilton. "While we will miss Jürgen's regular involvement with our staff and players, the Galaxy organization has nothing but good wishes to offer Jürgen in his new role as manager of the German national team."
In his consultant role as Galaxy Technical Advisor, Klinsmann spent significant time on site at The Home Depot Center, home of the club, through the 2004 pre-season and first half of the regular season. He attended and participated in evaluation and planning sessions, coaches meetings, training sessions, and individual player meetings in order to provide Galaxy coaches and players with advice based on his successful experiences at the highest levels of international soccer. Other principals of Klinsmann's company, SoccerSolutions, will continue to work with the Galaxy on business and marketing related matters.
"I've had a wonderful time working with the Galaxy. Everyone involved from the owners to the management to the coaches to the players to the fans are committed to creating the best soccer in America. The results so far this season demonstrate the Galaxy has the ability to play attacking, attractive soccer and win at the same time. That's exciting! I will be cheering for the Galaxy no matter where I am," noted Jürgen Klinsmann. "While I will miss my frequent visits to the Home Depot Center, I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead Germany into the upcoming World Cup. Certainly, as Euro 2004 indicates, we have work to do. But, I'm confident in the capabilities of the staff I am bringing together to manage the German national team and I'm confident in the capabilities of the German players to succeed at the championship level."
"All our players and the coaching staff owe Jürgen a special 'thanks' for his support and advice in helping develop the team this season," added Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid.
Since retiring from his playing career following the FIFA World Cup France 1998, Jürgen Klinsmann has relocated with his family to Southern California and become a partner in SoccerSolutions, a sports marketing consultancy that focuses on creating customized brand and business development programs for companies interested in the soccer related marketplace. Klinsmann has kept actively involved in the technical aspects of soccer by providing coaching seminars and clinics, including to the Japanese Football Association, the Asian Football Confederation, U.S. Youth Soccer, and the adidas Elite Soccer Program. In addition, Klinsmann has been an international ambassador for the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006, and he has spearheaded the development of a soccer education website for youth featuring former German national team players.
After concluding a month-long, four-game road trip, the Galaxy will return to the friendly confines of The Home Depot Center for a contest against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, August 14 at 7 pm. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Galaxy jersey key ring courtesy of Proctor & Gamble and a Kohl's cheer card. For more information or to order tickets, please call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
