Outspoken Hoeness to protect Klinsmann in new role

Uli Hoeness has gone from being Juergen Klinsmann's most vocal critic to his media bodyguard after accepting a role at the head of a national team task force.

Less than a week ago, Hoeness was laying into the Germany coach for "dancing around in California, while leaving us to deal with all the crap".

But in a classic case of poacher-turned-gamekeeper, Hoeness is now promising Klinsmann nothing but support.

"When the media are being negative about Klinsmann, I'll be his bodyguard," Hoeness said on Bayern's website.

"We're all pulling in the same direction. We agreed to take on the World Cup project together."

The task force, which will feature representatives from Germany's leading clubs and have Hoeness as its spokesman, was set up on Tuesday following a meeting with Klinsmann.

The idea is to offer the coach advice in the build-up to the World Cup, while stemming the tide of criticism coming at Klinsmann via club managers in the media.

"My job is not to be an inspector or a spy," Hoeness said. "In the first instance, I'll be the contact with the league clubs. The future will tell what happens with the task force. It's there as a tool if we need it."

Klinsmann won praise for bringing in new ideas and inspiring a big improvement in form after he took over from Rudi Voeller in the wake of a first-round exit at Euro 2004.

Recent performances have been disappointing, however, particularly a 2-1 defeat away to Turkey and a drab 1-0 win over China in the last two games.

As hosts, Germany are automatically qualified for the World Cup, which begins on June 9 in Munich and finishes in Berlin on July 9.