BERLIN (SW): Germany's all-time leading goal scorer Miroslav Klose has retired from playing profession football, and would now test his skills as coach off the field.
The former Bayern Munich striker, 38, helped his country win the World Cup in 2014, becoming the record scorer in the tournament's history with 16 goals. Klose, a two-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern, was without a club after his Lazio contract expired last season.
He now plans to join Germany's coaching staff after an invitation from manager Joachim Low. "We're looking forward to Miro,'' the Guardian has quoted Low, who this week extended his contract through to the 2020 European Championship.
Poland-born Klose made the first of his 137 international appearances in 2001 and broke Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record of 68 goals in June 2014. He retired from international football after helping Germany win the World Cup two years ago. He scored 71 goals for his country.
According to the German football association (DFB), in consultation with Löw and the technical director, Hansi Flick, Klose will now undergo an individual training program “with the clear aim of embarking on a coaching career”. Klose, who played 137 games for Germany, said: “I celebrated my greatest successes in the national team and this was a wonderful time which remains unforgettable.
ENDS
