Bayern chiefs lay down law to federation over Loew

Bayern Munich directors Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness muscled into the ongoing debate over whether Joachim Loew should be offered a new contract by the German Football Federation (DFB) on Tuesday by saying that there was no alternative.

Rummenigge, who played in two World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986 losing to Italy and Argentina, told Bild that the vibrant and young German side — who play European champions Spain in Durban on Wednesday in their World Cup semi-final — had the chance to dominate football as the one of the 1970’s had done but only if 50-year-old Loew was in charge.

“It would be an enormous mistake by the DFB not to extend the contract of Loew and the DFB must be prepared to pay foreign-style salaries,” Rummenigge, the Bayern chairman, told the newpaper.

“There is no alternative to Loew. It is imperative that this team is not separated from its coach.

“They have the potential to play the starring role in world football like the Germany of Franz Beckenbauer and Gunther Netzer in the 1970’s.”

Loew, who replaced Jurgen Klinsmann after the 2006 World Cup when he had been assistant coach and then guided the Germans to the 2008 Euro final, had been in talks over extending his contract to 2012 before they broke down in January over financial disagreements.

Loew under his former contract — which ran out last Wednesday — earns at the moment 3million euros a year compared to for instance the seven million euros Fabio Capello earns in the England job.

Hoeness, the Bayern President, for his part said he hoped the federation would extend the contracts of all the coaching staff even general manager and Euro ’96 winning striker Oliver Bierhoff, who is not popular with the executive directors.

“The DFB should extend the contracts of all the team who have proved that they operate really well together,” said Hoeness.