Loew's Germany reign ends with apologetic farewell

After 15 years as Germany head coach, Joachim Loew delivered an emotional and apologetic farewell speech following his team's early exit from Euro 2020.

The 61-year-old had announced in March that he would step down after the tournament, with last Tuesday's 2-0 last-16 defeat to England in London ending his hopes of bowing out on a winning note.

"The disappointment runs very, very deep. I'm sorry that we disappointed our fans and didn't spark the kind of excitement we wanted. I take responsibility for our elimination, no ifs or buts," Loew said on Wednesday.

The 2014 World Cup winner wished his successor, Hansi Flick, success and expressed hope that the squad can emerge from its current funk.

"I am optimistic they will do great in the following tournaments as many of the young players have great potential," Loew said.

"Good luck to Hansi Flick, I wish him all the best. My heart continues to beat black, red and gold. I've saved so many moments and images in my heart over the years. Not just the results, but the time spent together. We went through so much together, those are the moments you never forget."

Soccer's longest-serving national coach, Loew stressed that he wasn't retiring from the game but was looking forward to enjoying some time off.

"I need to take an emotional break to sort myself out and decide about the future," he said.

"From the outside, you probably can't tell what it's like to take responsibility for such a long time.

"Even when you have periods without international breaks, you spend every moment with preparation. It will take some time to process all the great moments and the less good ones."

Loew guided Germany to World Cup glory in Brazil seven years ago, but now hands the reins to former Bayern Munich boss Flick with the squad at a low ebb following below-par performances over the last three years.

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane last Tuesday handed Germany its first knockout defeat to England in 55 years and its earliest European Championship exit since 2004.

Loew's men also failed to live up to expectations at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, exiting at the group stage.

Loew said he had hoped for a better ending as he still fully trusted in his squad. After returning home from London on Wednesday, he said his goodbyes to players and staff.

"I gave all I had, and always with full passion and dedication," said Loew, who won 124 of his 198 games in charge.

The former Austria Vienna manager said he hopes his reign is remembered as a time of change in German soccer.

He added that the Euro 2020 exits of 2016 champion Portugal and reigning world champ France show "how hard it is to stay at the top".

He spoke with pride about the development of German soccer since he took charge in August 2006.

"It was not only about preserving so-called German football values, but to develop a new football culture," he said. "We won people's hearts for many years."

Loew's squad reached the Euro 2008 final (losing to Spain) and the semifinals in 2012 and 2016. In 2017, his squad won the Confederations Cup and finished third at the 2010 World Cup. In the 2014 World Cup final, Mario Gotze's goal earned Germany a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Since then, Germany's powers have waned, and national team manager Oliver Bierhoff said now the aim is to restore past glories. "We want to be among the world's elite," Bierhoff said. "And that needs a number of parameters to be filled. Number one－good players."

Xinhua