Rummenigge calls for end to Loew dispute

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

BERLIN, Feb 9, 2010 (AFP) - Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Tuesday urged the German Football Federation (DFB) to end their dispute with national coach Joachim Loew over the prolongation of his contract.

"Both parties are strongly advised to sit down quickly and openly around a table," Rummenigge told a Bavarian TV show.

Loew on Sunday admitted that he was "very angry" with the DFB, who have postponed negotiations over a two-year extension to his contract until after the 2010 World Cup and publicised the salary demands made by Loew and general team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

Rummenigge, a former Germany international, called for the DFB "to find a solution with Jogi Loew".

"This man deserves respect and to be presented with a reasonable contract, rather than an ultimatum," he said.

The Bayern chief did, however, criticise Bierhoff for having reportedly demanded the right to veto the appointment of Loew's successor.

"That was not acceptable (but) I think he's prepared to take a step back," said Rummenigge, who added that the DFB had made a "serious mistake -- the biggest mistake possible -- by publicising the contents of the contract".

DFB president Theo Zwanziger has already made clear he wants to keep Loew in charge after the World Cup and into the qualifiers for Euro 2012.

Loew's coaching team are all chasing contract extensions, but Zwanziger says the fact that the matter will be unresolved before Germany bid to win their fourth world title is irrelevant.

Under Loew's guidance, in 45 games Germany have recorded 31 victories, eight draws and six defeats.

At this summer's World Cup, Germany have been drawn in Group D with Australia, Ghana and Serbia.