Klinsmann keeps one step ahead

The career of Jürgen Klinsmann has never been conventional, and the latest plot twist in this absorbing tale, his appointment as FC Bayern München coach for next season, is a case in point.

Surprise announcement
Only on Thursday, Guus Hiddink was denying that he would succeed Ottmar Hitzfeld in the summer. But the very next morning a statement on Bayern's website announced that their former striker would take over from Hitzfeld, as stunning a move as when Klinsmann accepted his first senior coaching role three-and-a-half years ago – leading 2006 FIFA World Cup hosts Germany.

Germany role
At the time he was living in California and working in an advisory role at Los Angeles Galaxy, and there was plenty of scepticism as to whether he could transform a squad that had failed at UEFA EURO 2004™. Two years and one thrilling run to the semi-finals later, the doubts were gone, but so was Klinsmann, saying he wanted to return to "a normal life".

Work ethic
It has taken 18 months for him to be tempted back into coaching, but he has certainly never been afraid of a challenge. The baker's son has remained true to his Swabian upbringing. Indeed, the locals have a saying: "Schaffe, schaffe, Häusle baue," meaning "be industrious, work like the clappers, and you will have our own house soon".

Backing from back home
Those who worked with him at the German Football Association (DFB) have no doubt about Klinsmann's decision. DFB president Theo Zwanziger said: "It is a fantastic thing that Jürgen Klinsmann is returning to Germany. He has done a lot for German football and will certainly achieve plenty with Bayern."

Playing career
But Klinsmann was always a man for doing a new thing. He tried out every position as a youth player before settling on a striking role and after beginning his career at SV Stuttgarter Kickers, he went on to represent seven clubs in four different countries. He won the UEFA Cup with FC Internazionale Milano and Bayern, and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals at AS Monaco FC.

English won over
In 1994 he left Monaco for Tottenham Hotspur FC, going to a country where his reputation was as a diver, not helped by his part in West Germany's 1990 FIFA World Cup win. But the English stereotype of a humourless German was immediately confounded when he celebrated his first Spurs goal with a mock dive, and he was voted player of the season by impressed journalists. He retired in 1997, but made a low-profile comeback in 2003 under an assumed name to play for Orange County Blue Star in California. Along the way he picked up 108 caps and scored 47 international goals, winning EURO '96™ as well as the World Cup. It was in the latter competition he made his reputation as a coach, now he intends to underline it in the club game.

This is an edited version of an article from the uefa.com Magazine. To read in full click here.