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Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 16:43
Why Loew isn't yet ready for Real Madrid?
By Xinhua
Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 16:43 By Xinhua

Germany's head coach Joachim Loew speaks during a press conference of the German national football team on the eve of their international friendly football match Germany vs Russia in Leipzig, eastern Germany on Nov 14, 2018. (ROBERT MICHAEL / AFP)

BERLIN - Rumors of German national team coach Joachim Loew possibly taking over at Spanish giants Real Madrid have gained significant traction in recent days. But what's behind the story?

In December last year, 58-year-old Loew called the 2018 Champions League winners "an interesting club that is naturally attracting every coach." The 2014 World Cup-winning coach spoke about his future plan to return to club management after nearly 15 years within the apparatus of the German national team.

ALSO READ: Madrid enduring its worst struggles in more than 2 decades

Real are struggling at present and said to be in a crisis after star forward Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus last summer. New coach Julen Lopetegui lasted only a few months after joining the club in July, being dismissed in October after a humiliating 5-1 defeat to rivals Barcelona.

Lopetegui's replacement Santiago Solari is said just to be an interim solution, and Real remain ten points behind leaders Barcelona in the league table.

Then Real Madrid's Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui gestures during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Viktoria Plzen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Oct 23, 2018. (JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

But when will Loew's long-running stint with the German national team come to an end?

Loew has a contract with the German Football Association until 2022, but remains under pressure after his team's embarrassing group stage exit at last year's World Cup in Russia. His new deal is said to contain an exit clause.

Former Germany midfielder Bernd Schuster calls Loew an interesting candidate for the Madrid job. "I wouldn't be surprised if Real try everything to get Loew this summer," said Schuster, adding that he expected Real to invest heavily in new players this year.  

Schuster, who currently coaches Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, noted that Real are fond of German players and coaches. "Germany played attractive attacking football under Loew. He won the 2014 World Cup. That is what counts for Real."

After a 13-year spell playing club football in Spain for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and also managing Real for a season and a half, Schuster is considered a leading authority on Spanish football, and gave his impression that Real president Florentino Perez was interested in hiring Loew.

Real Madrid's Argentinian coach Santiago Solari gestures during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Jan 6, 2019. (GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

According to German media reports, however, it is unlikely that Loew will leave the Germany post this summer.

READ MORE: Real Madrid back in trouble as Solari effect loses luster

Loew has repeatedly stated his ambition to rebuild and rejuvenate his side after the Russia debacle and lead the team to qualify for Euro 2020, leading many to doubt whether the 58-year-old is read to return to club management.

Things could change if Loew fails to deliver satisfactory results in Germany's next few games. In a recent fan survey, 41 percent of respondents said they no longer regarded Loew as the best choice for the Germany post. It seems an open secret that famous clubs like Real or Manchester United would be Loew's next choice.

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