Klinsmann scolded by Beckenbauer for absence
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-07 08:53

NERVOUS GERMANS

The 60-year-old Beckenbauer, who lives just south of the German border in Austria, has long been an ardent backer of most of Klinsmann's decisions and had rarely criticised his protege in public before Monday.

But he said Klinsmann needed to show his presence in Germany at the very least to calm the country's nerves after the team's humiliating defeat last week's friendly in Florence.

"He was needed here to sweep up some of the broken glass," said Beckenbauer, whose news conference was quickly brought to a conclusion by German officials just as he was growing angry.

"It doesn't make sense any more to talk to him about it," said Beckenbauer.

"I don't know how often I've spoken with him and told him that he must be in Germany during the final run-up to the tournament. If that's how he views the profession then he will have to live with the criticism."

Klinsmann has defended his decision to live in California, saying he spends half of each month in Germany and communicates with players and coaches via emails and telephone calls.

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff backed the coach, saying he and assistant coach Joachim Loew were handling all the issues for Klinsmann -- including his proposal to extend the FIFA squad nomination deadline to the end of May from May 15.