Vorang up for Miroslav Klose: With a smile on his face, the World Cup record goal scorer slipped under the raised privacy tarpaulin on the FC Bayern training ground. On the way to the first session, the cheerful Klose exchanged a few words with his new boss Hansi Flick, then he started with a lot of enthusiasm. The 42-year-old matched balls, motivated, gave commands, sought conversations. The new coach of the Bayern stars always held a white note in his hand.
“I couldn’t wait to get back on the pitch as soon as possible,” said Klose, who did an extra shift with Robert Lewandowski on Tuesday. “I think my focus will be a bit on the strikers. But we’ll define that together with Hansi Flick. “
After two successful years at the U 17 of the German record champions, the promoted Klose is Flick’s preferred candidate in the new post. With 71 goals in 137 games, the most successful goal scorer in German international history has been working on the football coach license in addition to the Bayern job since this summer and is therefore determinedly “taking the next step in my career as a coach”. The engagement with the Munich professionals is initially agreed for a year until June 30, 2021.
“We are delighted to have such a top expert on the team, especially when it comes to international football,” said Flick at the start of the team training session. “I expect Miro to bring his experience to the team, like everyone in the team. So I know Miro too, very calmly and without any vanities. ”In August, Klose may look after the part of the Bayern team around new signing Leroy Sané who stays in Munich and does not go on the targeted Champions League tour to Portugal.
Flick said that the experience of the former world-class striker, in particular, could be “a huge pound” in future cooperation. Both have known each other for a long time. Six years ago, the then Joachim Löw assistant Flick and Klose also celebrated the World Cup title in Rio. “We trust ourselves both professionally and personally,” emphasized Klose when he signed up.
From 2007 to 2011, Klose stormed for the Munich team, and after he ended his career in 2016, he then continued his coaching career. At times he was on the staff of national coach Joachim Löw. There he took “tactical finesse” with him and learned from Löw “a feeling for players, for team spirit”, as he reported. In the summer of 2018, he switched to Bavaria’s youngsters and also aroused desires in the Bundesliga. There he wants to be head coach “someday”.
“With Miro I personally like one fact in particular: he was a world-class striker himself, he even scored more often at world championships than the bomber, the legendary Gerd Müller. But despite his name and his successful vita, Miro chose the rocky path as a trainer, gained experience, worked his way up, ”said CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “I am convinced that our strikers in particular will benefit from him as a coach.”
The down-to-earth Klose himself likes to point out that he doesn’t want to rush into the coaching career. “I told the team that I am a very open, communicative coach. And then I would also like to approach the players, ”he said on Tuesday on the club’s website.
Step by step is the motto that is also welcomed by the German Football Association. “When Miro supported our national team coaching team from 2016 to 2018, you could see his interest, passion and expertise in the coaching profession,” recalled DFB director Oliver Bierhoff. “It is great that Miroslav Klose, a world champion, is so meticulous on the coaching path and is constantly expanding his knowledge.”
In addition to the most successful World Cup goal scorer Klose with 16 goals, the coaching staff of Teamplayer Flick also includes Danny Röhl (kotrainer analysis), Toni Tapalovic (goalkeeper coach), Holger Broich (scientific director and head of fitness) and Hermann Gerland (co-trainer). Gerland and Klose struck up a lot of conversation on Tuesday. “It is incredibly exciting and I am very happy to be there. We are a good team and everyone can learn from the other, ”said Klose.
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