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Klinsmann scolded by Beckenbauer for absence
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-07 08:53
DUESSELDORF, Germany, March 6 (Reuters) - Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann was
scolded by Franz Beckenbauer on Monday for skipping a meeting of top officials
from all 32 World Cup finalists and returning home to California.
Germany's organising committee president said he was angry and disappointed
that Klinsmann was not in Duesseldorf for the two-day meetings to discuss
technical issues.
"It's incredible that he's not here," Beckenbauer said. "As host country you
have to be here. Nearly all the coaches are here. Carlos Alberto Parreira came
from Brazil, Sven-Goran Eriksson came from England, but our head coach is not
here.
"He should have been here. This is an obligatory meeting and he does not have
all that many meetings that are obligatory.
"I don't want to say anything more about it because the more I think about
it, the more drastic my choice of words will become."
Klinsmann, who has been commuting between his native Germany and his home in
southern California since taking the job in August 2004, has faced sharp
criticism following his side's dreadful performance in a 4-1 loss in Italy last
week.
It led to a new flare-up of media and public rage at Klinsmann's decision to
stay based in the United States ahead of the tournament. Many Bundesliga coaches
and German officials argue Klinsmann should be in Germany to watch matches each
week.
However, Klinsmann rejected the criticism.
"I was in Germany for three of the last five weeks after the Bundesliga
started up after the winter break," he told Bild newspaper. "I've got my plan
with everything necessary for the World Cup preparations.
"I've seen matches almost every weekend this winter, but I'm not someone who
puts himself in the forefront," Klinsmann said.
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