Klinsmann plans to spend more time in Germany

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann, eager to put behind him a heated row about his decision to live in California, said yesterday he plans to spend more time in his native country in the run-up to next year's World Cup.

After weeks of criticism from some Bundesliga coaches and sporting directors for residing in the United States, Klinsmann said he would never agree to any control on where he lives but signalled a willingness to spend more time in Germany.

"It's logical I'll be in Germany more often in the World Cup year even if we only have two friendlies in March," Klinsmann told Bild newspaper, which has led the criticism of his decision to commute to Germany twice a month from California.

"I'll be there as often as necessary to be able to put a strong team on the pitch at the World Cup," he added.

"I reject any (travel) lists, intervention, protocols or anything else."

Klinsmann, 41, moved to Southern California long before he took the Germany job in July 2004.

The former international communicates with his assistants, players and Bundesliga coaches back in Germany with regular emails and phone calls. He says living abroad also helps him stay in tune with the international competition.

Klinsmann's decision to stay based in California - and fly to Germany for a week or more about twice each month - has only recently become a contentious issue after Germany managed to win just two of their last five matches.

Before that, when Germany finished a strong third in the Confederations Cup, there was hardly any discussion about where Klinsmann elected to live.

Bayern Munich sporting director Uli Hoeness has been among the chief critics, saying Klinsmann's team are in "catastrophic condition" and blaming his long-distance commute for Germany's woes.

World Cup... Germans pessimistic

Only three per cent of Germans interviewed for a magazine poll believe their team will secure a fourth World Cup title on home soil next year. The survey, printed by Stern magazine, also revealed that 15 per cent of respondents thought Juergen Klinsmann's side would exit in the group stage.

The most likely scenario, according to 25 per cent of those interviewed, was that Germany would reach the quarter-finals while 19 per cent predicted a semi-final berth.

The draw for the World Cup will take place on December 9 when Germany, as hosts, will be top seeds in Group A.