Miroslav Klose played his last game in a DFB Team shirt in the final of the World Cup in Brazil, 2014. The 1-0 triumph over Argentina, which claimed Germany their fourth star, was his 137th cap. However, the former striker celebrated his comeback to the national team in November of last year, although it wasn’t a return to the pitch. Instead, it was as part of a training scheme with the DFB, with the goal of learning more about the world of coaching.
DFB.de: Mr Klose, you’ve been on this trainee programme for two months now. How happy are you with your decision to retire from football and start this new chapter?
Miroslav Klose: I’m very pleased with how it’s gone so far and thankful that the DFB have given me the chance to do something like this. I’ve had many coaches in my career and tried to learn from every one of them. Now, getting to know the work the DFB does at the junior levels is helping me a lot to refine my understanding of football. The development of young players interests me and it’s something I’m passionate about.
DFB.de: You also ended your playing career to spend more time with your family. Do you get to do this?
Miroslav Klose: I chose to end my career when I did. I wasn’t forced by an injury or a lack of offers, but rather I wanted to stop. My last ever game was on the 15th of May, 2016, so I had half a year to catch up on a few things which I wasn’t able to do during my football career. I could spend time with my children, go on bike rides and outings without looking at the time or having my next game in mind - I really enjoyed that. Then, I felt I needed a new challenge and I found it, but it also fits well with my private life.
DFB.de: Throughout your career you’ve played with and against many great players. Do you have this to thank for becoming a world-class striker and taking part in a World Cup at the age of 36?
Miroslav Klose: I would certainly say so. You always have to develop, I learned new things until the end of my career. That’s something I also tell the youngsters today - don’t just be satisfied with your natural talent, but always endeavour to improve.
DFB.de: During your career you also made a name for yourself as a particularly fair player. In 2005 when you were playing for Werder Bremen against Bielefeld, you told the referee not to award a penalty he’d already given. Also, in 2012, you admitted to the referee that you scored with your hand for Lazio against Napoli. Is the importance of fair play something you convey to youngsters?
Miroslav Klose: For me, fair play is the foundation of football and all sports - young players should learn that. It’s better when you don’t just talk about it, but experience it for yourself. Personally, I didn’t just get positive feedback from my team for these things, the best thing for me is when kids spoke about it months after with me and say, “that was a cool thing you did.” For me, things like that count for more than praise for a decisive goal.”
DFB.de: What’s next for you after the U16/U17s training camp, will you do more things with the youth teams?
Miroslav Klose: Definitely, the senior team get together for the first time this year in March and I’ve organised with the other youth team coaches to visit them and their sides.
DFB.de: And all of this with the end goal of being a coach yourself?
Miroslav Klose: That’s my objective, but I’m not in a rush. Firstly, I’d like to get more experience with at the DFB, then I’ll get my coaching badges and learn different things. We’ll see where that takes me, but at the moment that’s not important. I’ve realised that being a coach interests me and working day-to-day is more fun.”
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Miroslav Klose played his last game in a DFB Team shirt in the final of the World Cup in Brazil, 2014. The 1-0 triumph over Argentina, which claimed Germany their fourth star, was his 137th cap. However, the former striker celebrated his comeback to the national team in November of last year, although it wasn’t a return to the pitch. Instead, it was as part of a training scheme with the DFB, with the goal of learning more about the world of coaching.
DFB.de: Mr Klose, you’ve been on this trainee programme for two months now. How happy are you with your decision to retire from football and start this new chapter?
Miroslav Klose: I’m very pleased with how it’s gone so far and thankful that the DFB have given me the chance to do something like this. I’ve had many coaches in my career and tried to learn from every one of them. Now, getting to know the work the DFB does at the junior levels is helping me a lot to refine my understanding of football. The development of young players interests me and it’s something I’m passionate about.
DFB.de: You also ended your playing career to spend more time with your family. Do you get to do this?
Miroslav Klose: I chose to end my career when I did. I wasn’t forced by an injury or a lack of offers, but rather I wanted to stop. My last ever game was on the 15th of May, 2016, so I had half a year to catch up on a few things which I wasn’t able to do during my football career. I could spend time with my children, go on bike rides and outings without looking at the time or having my next game in mind - I really enjoyed that. Then, I felt I needed a new challenge and I found it, but it also fits well with my private life.
DFB.de: Throughout your career you’ve played with and against many great players. Do you have this to thank for becoming a world-class striker and taking part in a World Cup at the age of 36?
Miroslav Klose: I would certainly say so. You always have to develop, I learned new things until the end of my career. That’s something I also tell the youngsters today - don’t just be satisfied with your natural talent, but always endeavour to improve.
DFB.de: During your career you also made a name for yourself as a particularly fair player. In 2005 when you were playing for Werder Bremen against Bielefeld, you told the referee not to award a penalty he’d already given. Also, in 2012, you admitted to the referee that you scored with your hand for Lazio against Napoli. Is the importance of fair play something you convey to youngsters?
Miroslav Klose: For me, fair play is the foundation of football and all sports - young players should learn that. It’s better when you don’t just talk about it, but experience it for yourself. Personally, I didn’t just get positive feedback from my team for these things, the best thing for me is when kids spoke about it months after with me and say, “that was a cool thing you did.” For me, things like that count for more than praise for a decisive goal.”
DFB.de: What’s next for you after the U16/U17s training camp, will you do more things with the youth teams?
Miroslav Klose: Definitely, the senior team get together for the first time this year in March and I’ve organised with the other youth team coaches to visit them and their sides.
DFB.de: And all of this with the end goal of being a coach yourself?
Miroslav Klose: That’s my objective, but I’m not in a rush. Firstly, I’d like to get more experience with at the DFB, then I’ll get my coaching badges and learn different things. We’ll see where that takes me, but at the moment that’s not important. I’ve realised that being a coach interests me and working day-to-day is more fun.”
created by ps
