Beckenbauer Appointed As National Team Manager after Low Resigns

The DFB can today confirm that Franz Beckenbauer will lead the main national side to the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil later this month. The appointment occurs hours after Joachim Low resigned to spend more time with his family back home in Bremen.


Current captain Phillip Lahm payed his respects to the ex-manager’s job during his reign in charge “ Low was a superb coach , the way he led the national side with the weight of the nation on his shoulders , showed how much of a calm and influencing character he has been . Low should be proud of his achievements he was made over his tenure and has left the national team in a very strong position for years to come”

Beckenbauer has previous experience of managing the national team after he was appointed West German national team coach to replace Jupp Derwall. He took the team all the way to the final of the 1986 World Cup, where they lost to the Diego Maradona inspired Argentina.

In 1990, before the German reunification, Beckenbauer managed the last German team without East German players in a World Cup, winning the final 1–0, against Argentina, in a rematch of the previous World Cup final. Beckenbauer is one of two men (with Mario Zagallo) to have won the Cup as player and as manager, and he is the only man to have won the title as team captain as well as manager.


Beckenbauer then moved into club management, and accepted a job with Olympique de Marseille in 1990 but left the club within 4 months. Marseille eventually won the 1990–91 French championship and ended runner-up of the 1990–91 European Cup.

From 28 December 1993 until 30 June 1994, and then from 29 April 1996 until 30 June of the same year, he coached Bayern Munich. His brief spells in charge saw him collect two further honours – the Bundesliga title in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996.


In 1994, he took on the role of club president at Bayern, and much of the Munich giants' success in the following years has been credited to his astute management. Following the club's decision to change from an association to a limited company, he has been chairman of the advisory board since the beginning of 2002.

In 1998, he became vice-president of the German Football Association.At the end of the 1990s, Beckenbauer headed the successful bid by Germany to organize the FIFA World Cup 2006. He chaired the organizational committee for the World Cup and was a commentator for the Bild-Zeitung.

Good luck mate

Yes! Finally a German National Story!
Die Adler all the way <3
Good luck!

New Head Coach Franz Beckenbauer has today announced his first current German Squad. The squad consists of 23 players and including 3 goalkeepers ,whom all ply their trade in the German Bundesliga , the top flight of German Football.

The squad was trimmed down from a provisional squad of 30 , which was announced by Joachim Low last week before his unforeseen departure last Thursday, the latest on his reasons is that he has been suffering from high anxiety and stress and has been told by his doctor to take a break from all football for up to 18 months until his condition becomes clearer and easier to manage.

One of the biggest talking points in the German Media prior to today’s announcement was which strikers Beckenbauer would bring with him to the Holy Land of football. His options were out of Thomas Muller , Mario Gomez , Lukas Podolski , Miroslav Klose and Kevin Volland. Bild had expected 4 out of the 5 to go with the in experience of Volland going against him. Meanwhile Sky Germany had predicted that Klose , Gomez and Muller would be the only strikers to go due to the adaptability of attacking midfielders Mario Gotze and Marco Reus.



Another lesser talking point was out of the 5 goalkeepers in the provisional 30 which other two would accompany Manuel Neuer , would it be Weidenfeller , Zieler , Ter – Stegen or Leno. Weidenfeller was all but guaranteed a place in the team after a superb season with Bundesliga runners up Borussia Dortmund while the majority of people had expressed they would like to see Marc Ter Stegen as the number 3 goalkeeper to replace Neuer and Weidenfeller as the latter is now in his mid 30’s , this could possibly be his last ever World Cup despite never a cap for Germany.

There is no room in the squad for either Centre Backs , Tasci or Badstuber due to injuries occurred in the friendly against Panama before Beckenbauer took charge

Germany entered the 2014 Brazil World Cup as third favourites with odds of 10/1 with leading bookmaker BetVictor , The Germans were 4/6 to win the group while Mario Gomez was 16/1 to win the Golden Boot with Thomas Muller the next leading German player at 40/1.

Germany’s first game was against European rivals Portugal who’s squad was relatively unchanged from 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Portuguese were looking to finish above Ghana and The USA to claim the other qualification spot behind Germany. Beckenbauer selected to field Mario Gotze and Mario Gomez upfront to the surprise of millions back in Berlin , with the Olympicstadion turned into a giant living room that had 8000 sofa’s and a 700 inch TV.



Germany would go on to be 1-0 winners thanks to Gotze’s first half volley after good work from Gotze and Muller down the right hand side , with Gomez’s splitting Alves and Pepe to allow Gotze the easiest of first time volley’s over the on rushing Rui Patricio. From them on it was a back to the wall job with Ronaldo and Hugo Almeida both going close in the second half and thanks to a fantastic diving header off the line by Lahm , Germany secured the 3 points that were desperately needed to give us the best start to the World Cup that we could have hoped for !

The next game was against a Ghanaian team that had drew in their first match with USA. Franz selected a slightly weaker time to avoid suspensions to Schweinsteiger and Lahm, so in came Durm and Gundagon. Mats Hummels gained the man of the match award with a brace of headers coming in the tenth and fifty third minute with both corners coming from Gotze , who had moved back to a more central attacking position. The two starting strikers Muller and Schurrle both put massive shifts in and were both rewarded with two equally classy goals , Muller’s goal was a more individual goal with a mazy run through the defence and a cooly slotted right footed finish across the keeper from the edge of the area, while on the contrary Schurrle’s goal incorporated 8 passes from Neuer in goal to Schurrle’s one touch tap in at the other end of the pitch , Reus’ cross field pass to find on rushing Right back Eric Durm was the highlight of the move with the youngster slotting the ball back across the box to give Andre the simplest of tap ins. Jordan Ayew scored a late consolation for the Africans.

The final game saw Germany face USA with qualification already assured but that didn’t stop the fast flowing possession football installed by Beckenbauer over the last two games. Three goals from Mario Gomez gave the Germans a comfortable and well deserved win against a lacklustre American team.



Germany will face the runners up of Group H Algeria after they surprised everyone and finished above both South Korea and Russia. Algeria gained a vital point against South Korea which was followed by a comprehensive 2-0 win over Russia to send them into the last 16. Their current Top Goalscorer is Ryan Boudebouz , the Bastia right winger has scored 2 in 2 games including one goal off the substitute bench to equalise against an inform South Korean team



The pick of the other Round of 16 games is Belgum v Portugal while Spain should beat a plucky Cameroon team that got through in a group containing Croatia , Mexico and Brazil. The biggest shock was the Hosts failing to qualify for the first knock outs tages something they have never done before. Maybe the pressure of playing in their home nation was too much or was it simply that the worst generation of Brazilian talent has come at the wrong time. A nation broken by their football team rubs salts into the wounds of a nation crippled by corruption , poverty and recession.

Germany Last 4 Games: DWWW
Algeria Form Guide: DLDW
Odds Germany: 8/11 Draw: 4/1 Algeria 12/1

Manuel Neuer will miss the game due to slight back injury with Weidenfeller set to take his place in goal. Mario Gomez is hotly tipped to start upfront while Eric Durm is set to drop to the bench depending on the fitness of Mats Hummels who has a groin injury but may play due to an injection been taken after the USA game.

http://media.bundesliga.com/media/images/12_bl_com/628x353/fcb_bvb_shoulder_neuer_628.jpg

Beckenbauer” We go into this game with a lot of confidence due to our results in the group stages , this has been particularly enjoyable sue to our group should have been tougher on paper but our courage , determination and drive made these games a lot easier than they could have been. I am very disappointed to see Manuel missing our next game but it gives Roman the chance to establish himself as the number one goal keeper in the tournament, meanwhile Mario Gomez will again lead the line and we will make a decision on Mats fitness during the next 24 hours , it’s going to be touch and go until kick off but hopefully we will take the risk and play him.”



Germany ( 4-1-2-1-2) : Weidenfeller; Durm , Bender , Boateng , Grosskreutz; Lahm ; Schweinsteiger , Khedira ; Ozil ; Gotze , Gomez

Algeria (4-2-3-1) : Douhka ; Cadamuro , Medjani , Satli , Ghoulam ; Yebda , Bentaleb ; Bouazza , Ziani , Boudebouz ; Djebbour

Nice to see a Germany story but... No Klose! He is now the record goalsocorer for the national side

nice update: really liking the fact you've also added the bottom of the germany web page to make it more realistic

plus, that was some game! well in bud!

Germany are my 'second' team to support in any competition when England get knocked out. Good luck with this.

Germany Last 4 Games: WWWW Nigeria Form Guide: WLWW

German Team News: Manuel Neuer is again missing with Zieler set to deputise in goal. Jerome Boateng is suspended after picking up his second booking of the tournament with Per Mertersacker set to come in. Marco Reus and Thomas Muller are both pushing for a recall while Mats Hummels may make the bench.


Germany ( 4-1-2-1-2) : Zieler ; Lahm , Metersacker , Bender , Durm ; Khedira ; Ozil , Kroos ; Reus ; Gomez , Gotze

Nigeria (4-4-2) : Enyeama ; Esieme , Ambrose , Oboabona , Taiwo ; Obasi , Mikel , Akpan , Obi ; Uche , Ideye



1) Nigeria kick off the second quarter final of the FIFA 2014 World Cup with the Nigerians playing from left to right in the Maracana

8) Marco Reus wins Germnay a corner after a swift breakaway see’s the Dortmund playmaker have his shot saved by Enyeama. The move started with Sven Bender dispossessing Idebye , from there Khedira played the ball to the right flank where Lahm fed a first time pass through the defence and eventually Reus’ weak shot was pushed around the post.

17) Marco Reus hits the bar from a free kick positioned just left of central on the edge of the Nigerian Box. It took a touch from Ambrose on the way through and results in a German corner

19) Sami Khedira is ruled offside after a flick on at the near post by Phillip Lahm resulting from Mesut Ozil’s corner.

21) Phillip Lahm is pulling all the strings and releases Marco Reus through on goal but his shot is impressively saved by Enyeama

25) OFFSIDE! Mario Gomez is ruled offside after a wonderful deep hanging cross from Eric Durm . Germany need to score during this dominant spell of pressure

30) Marco Reus is again through on goal after a wonderful pass from Lahm but Enyeama thwarts him at his near post. The scoreline stays 0-0 but Nigeria haven’t mustered a single effort on Zieler’s goal yet

45) With the last kick of the first half Efe Ambrose fires a volley wide and over the bar from an Obasi corner. At the break its 0-0 but Germany have controlled the game in large parts.

46) Muller , Schweinsteiger and Podolski come on for Gotze , Reus and Kroos

48) Ozil’s cross is tipped onto the bar by a very good performing Enyeama

86) RED CARD! Khedira receives his marching orders after a disgraceful tackle on Nigeria’s substitute Yakubu

86) From the resulting free kick Obasi fires the ball straight into Zieler’s midrift.

90) Full Time in normal time Germany 0-0 Nigeria


91) Nigeria get the first period of extra underway

94) MARIO GOMEZ hits the bar after a delightful lob through by wonderkid Eric Durm , Germany are hammering on the wall but Nigeria have all the answers

105) Nigeria 0-0 Germany

106) Germany get the second half underway

108) GOLLLLLLL! NIGERIA !!!!! Yakubu capatilises on a quick break away from Obi , the goal is surely going to send Nigeria through to the Semi Final



119) GOLLLLLL! NOOOOOO! FOULLLLLLL! Sven Bender is accused of pushing Efe Ambrose and his goal is chalked off

120) FT Nigeria 1-0 Germany


Lahm " The result was extremely disappointing but he must not dwell on it , we go again and need to look to secure qualification for Euro 2016"

Khedira " I can only apologise for my moment of idiotioness , I had no right to ruin our hopes like that . I'd like to thank all our fabulous support at home and in Brazil. Franz should not lose his job over this and I take all the blame"

Beckenbauer " We played extremely well tonight and we didn't deserve to lose, Enyeama was superb in goal and on another day Marco would of had 4/5 goals playing like he did today. Sami is really upset about his sending off but he will pull through it , and I am looking forward to his contribution to the squad as soon as he has served his suspensiom. I do not fear being sacked , the German FA are understandable of the current position that we are at."

Nice start to the story apart from the disappointing loss to Nigeria there. Good luck for the future!

Brilliantly written story so far, unlucky to lose to Nigeria there. Out of interest, did they go on to win the tournament?

Nigeria... WOW! Unlucky mate...

Pompey: Thanks Pal and yeah I'd of won if Sami hadn't been sent off
Joe: They got beat on penalties in the Semi's but came third. Thanks this is the most enjoyable story ive written so far!
Griff: There a relatively decent side on FM haha.