The new head coach of the Germany women’s national team Steffi Jones has no easy task in succeeding Silvia Neid, but she certainly does not lack ambition, as Germany bask in the success of their Olympic gold medal. “If we do something, then want to do it properly. And therefore we want to win the European championships next year, and the next competition after that”, said the 43 year old at her unveiling on Wednesday in Frankfurt/Main.
She is not daunted by the prospect of succeeding Neid. “There was always going to be a burden of pressure. I know what I can do, and I would not have taken the job if I did not think I were the best person for it” said Jones. “It is a dream come true for me. I do not want to simply follow in Silva’s footsteps, but instead to build on the work she has done with my own ideas and under my name.”
Jones: “We will immediately start our work”
Her first matches as head coach will come on 16th and 20th September, as the team face Russia and Hungary in the European Championship qualifiers. Beyond that, there are three more international matches scheduled in the rest of the calendar year, and they are expected to participate in the SheBelieves Cup in the USA early next year.
“We will immediately start our work. Every game is preparation for the European championships, and we will use each match to try and find the best squad we can” said Jones. The mission to defend their title in the Netherlands begins on July 16th.
The recent retirements of influential squad stalwarts Saskia Bartusiak, Annike Krahn and Melanie Behringer leave the 43 year old new coach with the task of regenerating her team. “The retirements are obviously sad, they were all excellent players and strong characters, and will be missed. But their departures open the door for us to integrate younger players. The gaps in the squad will be filled.”
She will also have seats to fill among the training staff. The role of goalkeeper coach is currently vacant as Michael Fuchs left for FC Nuremberg. Until the replacement is found, Jones intends to use a temporary caretaker coach. Markus Högner and Verena Hagedorn have already been confirmed as part of the new team.
The new head coach of the Germany women’s national team Steffi Jones has no easy task in succeeding Silvia Neid, but she certainly does not lack ambition, as Germany bask in the success of their Olympic gold medal. “If we do something, then want to do it properly. And therefore we want to win the European championships next year, and the next competition after that”, said the 43 year old at her unveiling on Wednesday in Frankfurt/Main.
She is not daunted by the prospect of succeeding Neid. “There was always going to be a burden of pressure. I know what I can do, and I would not have taken the job if I did not think I were the best person for it” said Jones. “It is a dream come true for me. I do not want to simply follow in Silva’s footsteps, but instead to build on the work she has done with my own ideas and under my name.”
Jones: “We will immediately start our work”
Her first matches as head coach will come on 16th and 20th September, as the team face Russia and Hungary in the European Championship qualifiers. Beyond that, there are three more international matches scheduled in the rest of the calendar year, and they are expected to participate in the SheBelieves Cup in the USA early next year.
“We will immediately start our work. Every game is preparation for the European championships, and we will use each match to try and find the best squad we can” said Jones. The mission to defend their title in the Netherlands begins on July 16th.
The recent retirements of influential squad stalwarts Saskia Bartusiak, Annike Krahn and Melanie Behringer leave the 43 year old new coach with the task of regenerating her team. “The retirements are obviously sad, they were all excellent players and strong characters, and will be missed. But their departures open the door for us to integrate younger players. The gaps in the squad will be filled.”
She will also have seats to fill among the training staff. The role of goalkeeper coach is currently vacant as Michael Fuchs left for FC Nuremberg. Until the replacement is found, Jones intends to use a temporary caretaker coach. Markus Högner and Verena Hagedorn have already been confirmed as part of the new team.
