Germany’s Miroslav Klose announces retirement to focus on coaching

TORONTO, Canada (Kurdistan24) – Accomplished Germany forward Miroslav Klose on Tuesday announced his retirement from football and said he would join the German national team’s coaching staff.

Klose, who is the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history, decided to end his playing career and focus on receiving his professional coaching license.

Klose played 137 games for the German national team and scored 71 goals to become the country’s leading goalscorer.

According to the German Football Association (DFB), the former striker is set to join Manager Joachim Lӧw’s back-room staff.

“I celebrated my greatest success in the national team, and this was a wonderful time which remains unforgettable,” Klose said in an official statement.

“In the past few months, I have thought a lot about continuing my playing career, but also about looking at new avenues, namely being a coach,” he continued.

The 38-year-old added he was “delighted” with the prospect of joining the DFB coaching staff and was “grateful” for the opportunity.

Moreover, Lӧw expressed his joy at Klose’s new role with the national side and said he was “pleased” with the World Cup winner’s decision.

“I’ve always been able to rely on [Klose], and that’s why I’m really pleased that he is now going to be part of our team,” he stated.

“He’s a role model as a person and a sportsman who always puts everything else after the team and success,” Lӧw added.

Having helped the German national side lift the prestigious World Cup trophy in 2014, Klose will be hoping to achieve even more as a coach.

“We’re looking forward to working with [Klose],” Lӧw concluded.