Euro 2020

JOACHIM LOW has announced that he will step down as Germany boss after the summer’s European Championships.
The 61-year-old has enjoyed tremendous success in his career, reaching the pinnacle of World Cup glory back in 2014.

Joachim Low will always be remembered as Germany bossCredit: AFP – DDP

But many fans will remember him better for some of his… less appealing traits.
While many managers would probably admit that they can become different animals on the touchline, some of Low’s antics would leave viewers feeling queasy.
Whether it’s scratching his nether regions before taking a big old sniff, or unfortunate sweaty pits, Low clearly wasn’t too bothered about putting on persona for the cameras on the sideline.
So upon the news that he’ll be leaving Die Mannschaft, let’s remind ourselves of Low’s most vomit-inducing moments.

SCRATCHING CROTCH AND SNIFFING

Low digs around his crotch during a gameCredit: Pictures supplied by YouTube/Ruckas Pictures Ruckaspictures@btconnect.com Office (UK) : 01
Reigning World Cup winners Germany got their Euro 2016 campaign underway with a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lille, France.
But the match was overshadowed by one particularly vile moment.
Rather than Bastian Schweinsteiger or Shkodran Mustafi’s goals, the match is better remembered for Low sticking his hand down his pants, having a good root around his crotch on the touchline.
Just when fans thought it was safe to look again, with Low having returned to his seat, they were made to recoil for a second time, as he gave his sweaty hand a hearty sniff.

SNOTTY RONALDO HANDSHAKE

Cristiano Ronaldo shakes Low’s snotty handCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Normally, other than those watching at home, Low’s antics only really concern himself.
But on this occasion at the 2014 World Cup, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo unwittingly found himself caught in the crossfire.
Germany trounced Portugal 4-0 in their opening game of the tournament. And as he was trudging off the pitch, CR7 shook the outstretched hand of opposition manager Low.
Little did he know, said outstretched hand featured a finger that mere seconds earlier had been digging for treasure up Low’s nose. Yikes.
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SNIFFING HIS PITS
The year is 2008. Low is younger, his hair is still jet black… but he possesses some of the same traits.
Taking charge of his first tournament since succeeding Jurgen Klinsmann, Low is looking dapper in his white shirt and scarf.
But to fans’ horror, he appears to start rubbing his sweaty armpits.
And to cap it off, he delivers what will become a trademark, flat-palmed finger-sniff. Yuck.

EATING BOGIES
The constant hum of vuvuzelas drove most of us bonkers back in 2010… but it didn’t drive most of us to do anything like this.
Sat in the dugout, his face a picture of steely concentration, Low really digs deep in his nostril.
Aha, success! He appears to have finally dug out that bogey he’s been craving – but then pesky assistant Hansi Flick (whatever happened to him?) seems to interrupt him to talk about the game.
But no matter, the moment Flick turns away Low, almost in slow motion, places his fingers on his lips. Poor disguise Jogi, we see you.
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EATING BOGIES, AGAIN!
Two years on in 2012, Germany are aiming to go one better than they did at Euro 2008 and win the thing… but Low hasn’t changed his touchline tactics.
Again he’s sat pensively in the dugout with Flick by his side.
And again, when Flick has turned away, he goes digging for snotters, putting them in his mouth and gulping them down.
In 2016 Low would apologise to the media, blaming ‘adrenalin’ for his actions. If you say so Jogi…
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As Germany exit Euro 2016 – Watch the best of Joachim Low’s scratch and sniff More

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.

Joachim Low will step down as Germany head coach following the EurosCredit: AP:Associated Press

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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One of the Low-lights during his time in charge was being caught on camera stuffing his hands down his trousers at Euro 2016Credit: Ruckas

Joachim Low appears to pick his nose at the 2018 World Cup
“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.

Joachim Low managerial career

1994–95 FC Frauenfeld1996–98 VfB Stuttgart1998–99 Fenerbahçe1999–00 Karlsruher SC2000–01 Adanaspor2001–02 Tirol Innsbruck2003–04 Austria Wien2004–06 Germany (assistant)2006– Germany
HONOURS
VfB Stuttgart
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup runner-up: 1997–98DFB-Pokal: 1996–97DFB-Ligapokal runner-up: 1997
Tirol Innsbruck
Austrian Football Bundesliga: 2001–02
Austria Wien
Austrian Supercup: 2003
Germany
FIFA World Cup: 2014; third place: 2010FIFA Confederations Cup: 2017UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2008

“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.
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.

The German boss led his country to World Cup glory in Brazil in 2014Credit: Getty Images – Getty

England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK More

GARETH SOUTHGATE’S Euro 2020 plans face a crunch period this month.
The England boss has an embarrassment of riches to choose from as he ponders his final squad selection for the summer showpiece.

How England could line-up at Euro 2020 if Matt Targett takes his chance to impress

Targett could be given a chance to shine for EnglandCredit: Getty

Three Lions hopefuls will have an opportunity to stake their claim for a shot at helping England claim a first tournament win since 1966 in just a couple of weeks time.
Southgate’s men take on San Marino, Albania and Poland before the end of March in World Cup qualifiers that could have a lot more than just Qatar 2022 at stake.
A number of stars are battling it out for positions, with left-back one of the most hotly-debated topics.
The latest reports claim Southgate is considering a call-up for Aston Villa’s Matt Targett.

The England boss has been impressed with the 25-year-old’s form for Dean Smith’s side and is weighing up whether to include him.
Targett has started all 25 of Villa’s Premier League games and helped them to keep 13 clean sheets.
He could challenge fellow in-form star Luke Shaw for the left-back role after his sensational form for the Red Devils.
But with Southgate also being a big fan of a back three flanked by wing-backs, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka could be picked after a sensational season that has already brought international recognition for the 19-year-old back in November.

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Dates for the diary

The versatile Gunners youngster could find his best way into the side is playing further back than he is used to under Mikel Arteta – as Southgate is blessed with huge pool of talent to select from.
Fellow contender Ben Chilwell has been left out on a number of occasions under new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
Harry Kane’s return to form is a welcome boost for Southgate in attack, with Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling likely to start either side of him.
Mason Greenwood had hoped to establish himself in the Three Lions fold before he was involved in THAT infamous Iceland incident, but a late flourish at United this term could see him squeeze his way back into the side.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s injured skipper Jordan Henderson should be recovered in time for the summer showpiece, and he could be joined in the middle by two of England’s best attacking midfielders.
Jack Grealish showed Southgate exactly what he could do in the Autumn internationals and Phil Foden is in the running to pick up player of the year for champions-elect Man City.
England kick-off their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia on June 13 before taking on Scotland and Czech Republic in Group D.

This is what many thought the line-up would be this summer back in in October

England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK More

FA CHIEFS would welcome any offer from Uefa to stage more games at Euro 2020.
PM Boris Johnson told The Sun that he was making an invitation to Euro football bosses and that the UK could even host the entire tournament.

Boris Johnson is hoping to land some more games at Euro 2020 for EnglandCredit: Getty

Dublin, Glasgow and Bilbao are all struggling to be able to give Uefa the guarantees it is seeking over fans in the ground, with the deadline for compliance April 7.
And while Wembley chief executive Mark Bullingham insisted the FA was “100 per cent not lobbying” Uefa to dole out more matches, he admitted an approach from Nyon would be met with open arms.
Bullingham said: “Our understanding is that Uefa is still keen on the tournament being hosted in 12 countries.
“If for any reason, Uefa or the country in question decided they don’t want to host and came to us, we would want to help Uefa, knowing we have the stadia and the Government support to do it.

“We know a number of other countries would be in the same position.
“I’m not assuming that there will be extra games and we’re 100 per cent not lobbying Uefa for anything.
“But we would be one of the countries Uefa would consider for those extra games. That’s where we are.”
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Ten English stadiums are on standby to host the entirety of this summer’s delayed European Championship
Bullingham also welcomed the initial £2.9m Government package to fund the first stage of the feasibility study into the proposed five nation British Isles bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
He added: “In terms of 2030, we were delighted to get the Government funding and to get £25m for grassroots football. That was really important.
“We will conduct that feasibility study and look at where we get to.
“Next year Fifa will be releasing the bid regulations and parameters and we will hopefully be in a good position to look at what those are and decide from there, although we believe the actual decision will be made at the Congress in 2024.

“We wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t serious about the project but we haven’t made a final decision yet.
“You have to consider the stadia you might use.
“We’d need eight or nine in England and you can see 15 pretty strong candidates for that.
“There is a fair amount of infrastructure work to be done before you even consider your competitive landscape.”

England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst backs Boris Johnson’s offer to host Euros in the UK More