A Foreign Coach....for GERMANY??!!

Damn. This actually almost happened. It seemed that back in 1998, Germany were exploring their options after Vogts left the post, and Hodgson was one of the candidates. In short, there was a CHANCE that Germany could have gone into Euro 2000 with a foreign coach. It was only for Beckenbauer to reject such a move, citing the implications it would have for the development of German football. In the long run, it turned out to be very much the right move.

France 98 was the tournament that saw the start of a decline in German football. After being put down by Davor Suker and his Croatians, Germany went through a dark period that had only a brief light in 2002, with them making the Final. But in truth, they were surprising finalists and had a MUCH easier path than other teams in getting there. Mostly, during that five to six year period, it was not a great time for German football.
 It was after that loss in 1998, and just how totally they were beaten that it perhaps made sense that Germany were looking for something alternative and new. A bit like how the Three Lions decided it was time to fish abroad, and got Sven Sven Goran Eriksson. Then he stepped in...

I think it was the RIGHT thing for the Kaiser to
step in and demand a German coach. I for one love and encourage EVERY country has their own countryman coaching them. It is only right. For Franz, who lead Germany to a World Cup as a coach, it would be insulting seeing a foreigner take the reigns. That move would pretty much say that Germans just are not good enough to coach.
  In the end, Voller took them to the Final, and Klinsmann along with Low have transformed the Germans into one of the best teams in the world. The moral of the story is to ALWAYS keep faith in your country's talents. It's why I always demand a Nigerian coach. You must SUCCEED and FAIL with your own people. That is the only way it should be.

It's interesting though just thinking what would have actually happened if Hodgson took over. No offence to Roy, but I don't think he would have done anywhere near as good a job as Low and Klinsmann as well as Voller did. When the two teams do face each other tomorrow, I expect to see that great gulf in quality and coaching that exists between Hodgson and Low, further adding to Beckenbauer's right call in stepping in to block such a move for a foreign coach.


HH