Klinsmann to Decide on Contract After Cup

The German Football Federation (DFB) wants Klinsmann, whose contract expires after the World Cup, to sign a new deal but are willing to accept his decision to wait until the outcome of the World Cup finals on home soil.

"Jürgen Klinsmann is willing to extend his contract if the World Cup finals are positive," according to a DFB press release.

Klinsmann, who said his position as national team coach was "perfect for me," has set the target of lifting the World Cup, running from June 9 to July 9.

"We are glad to know we can plan with Klinsmann in the long term but know it all depends on the World Cup," explained DFB president Theo Zwanziger. "No decisions can be made before then."

Coaching team would stay too

If Klinsmann extends his contract it is expected that team manager Oliver Bierhoff and assistant coach Joachim Löw would also continue their current duties.

"I would welcome the chance to keep working in the team," Bierhoff said. "It's fun working with Jürgen and he can easily imagine doing longer."

It is the first time Klinsmann gave any hint as to his future with the national team after the World Cup. But the 41-year-old coach still wouldn't address the two questions German soccer fans really want answered: will he continue living in Califiornia and will it be Oliver Kahn or Jens Lehmann standing for Germany in goal.

Klinsmann, who had no previous managerial experience, took over from Rudi Völler after Euro 2004 when Germany failed to win a single match. The DFB wanted Völler to stay on as coach but he resigned 24 hours after Germany crashed out of the competition.