Former Germany boss Joachim Löw has cast doubt on the possibility of returning to the dugout, admitting that he has lacked the “inner fire” required to take on a new role. The 66-year-old has turned down every coaching offer he has received since stepping down as head coach of the German national team after Euro 2021.
“Until now, the inner fire has been missing when I received inquiries,” Löw said in Berlin during the traditional handover of the DFB-Pokal trophy ahead of the final between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich on May 23.
Löw acknowledged that he has been away from the game for several years and is uncertain whether he would have the energy to lead a team. “Maybe I could receive an offer that truly excites me, but I think that’s rather unlikely,” he added.
Despite recent speculation linking him with the Ghana national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup, Löw denied any contact and stated that he does not see himself retiring just yet. He indicated that a role with a national team would be the most likely path if he were to return.
Löw’s coaching career began with FC Frauenfeld in Switzerland and took him through Stuttgart, Karlsruher SC, and stints in Turkey and Austria before joining the German national team setup. He served as assistant to Jürgen Klinsmann from 2004 and took over as head coach after the 2006 World Cup, a position he held for 15 years, shaping German football. He led Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and also won the DFB-Pokal with Stuttgart in 1997.
Ahead of the 83rd DFB-Pokal final, Löw handed over the trophy to DFB president Bernd Neuendorf as a VfB ambassador. Stuttgart won last year’s final 4-2 against Arminia Bielefeld and now aim for their fifth title against record champions Bayern Munich.
