Two fly away

Loew, 46, worked with Klinsmann for his two years as coach. His two-year deal runs through the 2008 European Championship, co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria.

Klinsmann’s rejuvenated team finished higher than expected, losing only to eventual champion Italy in the semi finals. The team’s attacking, entertaining style triggered a wave of euphoria in Germany and played a major role in the World Cup being a huge success.

Loew promised to keep the same style of play. “We are deeply convinced that we have established ourselves in the top of world soccer again. We have a young team that can only improve,” he said.

“It’s a pity that Klinsmann is not continuing,” team captain Michael Ballack said. “It was a lot of fun. I am pleased, though, that we now have a coach in Joachim Loew who knows the team and who will continue in the same style of play.”

Klinsmann dismissed reports that he had been approached to take over the U.S. national team. Loew’s first game in charge will be the August 16 friendly against Sweden. Germany starts qualifying for the 2008 European Championship in September.

Meanwhile, despite widespread calls for him to stay, Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi had suggested weeks ago that he would resign. He feels he and his son, Davide, were attacked personally in the corruption scandal tainting the domestic game.

“At the end of an extraordinary professional and human experience, experienced as the head of an exceptional group of players … I believe my role is over as the guide of the Italian national team,” Lippi said in a statement.

While he is not under investigation, Lippi was questioned by prosecutors before the World Cup about alleged pressure he received to select certain players for Italy’s national team. Davide Lippi is under investigation for his work at player agency GEA World.

Lippi denied reports before the final linking him to Manchester United. He hasn’t announced his future plans, and Italian media have speculated that he will take a sabbatical.

Lippi replaced Giovanni Trapattoni and led the team on a 25-game unbeaten streak, the Azzurri’s second-longest streak after they went 30 games without defeat from 1935-39 — a period that included Italy’s second World Cup title in 1938.