Joachim Low to quit as Germany boss after Euros bringing end to 15-year reign including World Cup 2014 glory

JOACHIM LOW announced he will quit Germany this summer  - and put Europe’s elite clubs on red alert.

Low, 61, will step down after taking his side to the delayed Euro 2020.

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It will end a 17-year association with the national team, which began when he was appointed Jurgen Klinsmann’s assistant manager in 2004.

Low stepped up into the hotseat when Klinsmann resigned after the 2006 World Cup semi-final.

Since then, he guided his side to the last four in FIVE consecutive tournaments, including winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But he has also caused hilarity - and disgust- with his antics on the touchline.

He was shown on TV scratching his privates and sniffing his fingers against Ukraine at Euro 2016 and picking his nose during a game against Sweden at the 2018 World Cup.

Low stayed on despite Germany’s group-stage exit humiliation in the 2018 World Cup and ensured his side will play their group matches in Munich in this summer’s delayed tournament.

But he has decided not to stay on, allowing a successor to get a clear run at two full tournaments in the space of three years, with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the end of next year followed by a 'home' European Championships in Germany in 2024.

Low said: “I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude.

“At the same time, I continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship tournament.

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“Proud, because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved in my country.

“And because I've been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.

“I associate them with great triumphs and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments - not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB (German FA) which has always prepared an ideal working environment for me and the team.”

Low added: “I still feel the unconditional will as well as great energy and ambition for the upcoming European Championship .

“I will do my best to make our fans happy and successful at this tournament. I also know that this applies to the entire team. "

FA chief Fritz Keller described Low as 'one of the greatest coaches in world football'.

He added: “Jogi Low has shaped German football like no other over the years and helped it to achieve the highest international reputation.

“Not only because of his sporting achievements, but also because of his empathy and humanity.

“That he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent.

“He gives us as the DFB the necessary time to name his successor calmly and with a sense of proportion. "

Former Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff, the national team director who has worked alongside Low throughout his reign, added: “We were able to experience so much together and also get through together.

“It is a special relationship that is characterized above all by absolute trust.

“Under Jogi, the national team once again stood for the joy of playing and attractive offensive football, this team and its players have developed incredibly with him.

“I regret that after the Euros we will part ways professionally but we will stay connected personally.

“But I know that Jogi's full concentration and energy in the coming weeks and months will only be used to prepare for the European Championship.”

Low has overseen a generation of stunning German talents, culminating in that magnificent performance in Brazil seven years ago.

The 7-1 semi-final win over the tournament hosts brought shock and awe into football and followed the thumpings Germany handed out to England and Argentina in South Africa, when they were knocked out by winners Spain in the semi-finals.

Low has previously been targeted by Real Madrid and by making his decision early he has put major clubs on notice of his availability from the middle of July.

Madrid could be interested again if Real fail to win back the Champions League, while he could also be a target for Barcelona.

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But his decision also opens the way for a big-name coach such as Jurgen Klopp - if he wants to leave Liverpool - Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann or former Dortmund boss Lucien Favre to replace Low at the hem of Die Mannschaft.

And with the prospect of playing the 2024 Euros on native soil, that job looks even more enticing.

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