adminSANTO ANDRE. — Germany’s return to their customary position as a major World Cup soccer force is down to the trust ex-coach and current USA boss Jurgen Klinsmann showed in young players, Per Mertesacker said on Thursday.Germany face Ghana in Fortaleza today having opened their Group G campaign by trouncing Portugal 4-0 on Monday with Thomas Mueller claiming a hat-trick. The Germans face Klinsmann’s Stars and Stripes in Recife next Thursday in their final group match and Arsenal centre-back Mertesacker says his influence can still be felt.
“Klinsmann gave the younger generation the confidence which is still there now,” said Mertesacker, who would win his 100th cap against Ghana. We’re still benefitting from that time.”
The 49-year-old Klinsmann, a World Cup-winner in 1990, took over the Germany reins in 2004 after the team had embarrassingly crashed out of the European Championships in the group stages without even winning a game – the couldn’t even beat Lativia. — AFP.
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