Lion in clinic! EM qualification without national coach

National coach Joachim Löw will not support the German national team because of a hospital stay at the European Championship qualifying matches in Belarus and against Estonia. This was announced by the DFB on Friday.

Löw had to seek treatment for the after-effects of a sports accident in which an artery had been crushed. Co-trainer Marcus Sorg will represent the 59-year-old on Saturday (8 June) in Borissow and three days later in Mainz.

“I’m feeling pretty good again, but I’ll have to take it easy in the next four weeks. I am in constant contact with my team of coaches, and we will also remain in close telephone contact around the two international matches,” Löw is quoted in the DFB press release.

The national coach expressed his confidence in his representatives: “Marcus Sorg, Andy Köpke and Oliver Bierhoff have a lot of experience working together, and together we will be able to bridge this short break.

The DFB team is preparing for the qualifying matches in Venlo, the Netherlands, starting Sunday. After his opening win in the Netherlands (3:2), the four-time World Champion wants to add to his game in Belarus and against Estonia.

“The important thing is that Jogi is back in top shape in a few days. Even if you feel that he would like to be at the training ground again, it is certainly right to take it easy. Marcus Sorg and Andy Köpke know the procedures and the team very well, they discuss everything closely with Jogi anyway,” said national team director Oliver Bierhoff.