Klose to join Low's coaching staff in Germany

Germany's all-time leading scorer Miroslav Klose is set to join coach Joachim Low's staff, the German football association, DFB announced on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old, who has not officially ended his playing career despite not having his contract at Lazio renewed in the summer, will join Low and his coaching team for their upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against San Marino and friendly in Italy.

"I celebrated my greatest successes in the national team and this was a wonderful time which remains unforgettable," Klose was quoted as saying by Eurosport.

"That is why I'm delighted to return to the DFB. In the past few months, I have thought a lot about continuing my playing career, but also about looking at new avenues, namely becoming a coach.

"Reading a game, preparing painstakingly, developing strategies and tactics have always intrigued me and interested me a lot as a player.

"I am very grateful to Jogi Low and (assistant coach) Hansi Flick for this opportunity to sharpen my ideas now in practice."

Having benefited from his goals -- 71 -- for eight years, Low is now hoping to benefit from Klose's insights off the field.

"I've always been able to rely on Miro and that's why I'm really pleased that he is now going to be part of our team," he said.

"He's a role model as a person and a sportsman who always puts everything else after the team and success.

"With his views and his experience, I can see him very well as a coach in the future and we are happy to support him along the way with the DFB."

"I am sure that we the coaches are going to benefit as much from his presence here as we did when he was a player. We're looking forward to working with Miro."

--IANS

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