mercredi 13 juillet 2011

Under-fire Neid to stay on as Germany coach

FRANKFURT, Germany (AFP) - Under-fire Germany coach Silvia Neid confirmed Wednesday she will stay on as trainer of the two-time world champions, despite her side's shock exit from the women's World Cup.
The 47-year-old meet with Theo Zwanziger, president of the German Football Federation (DFB), and general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach at their headquarters in Frankfurt on Wednesday night.
"I've got so much support from my players and from so many other people that I am full of energy again," Neid told German broadcaster ZDF before the second semi-final between Sweden and Japan.
The DFB bosses were quick to publicly back Neid and Niersbach described it as "a good decision for women's football".
"We are convinced she is the right coach for our national team," he said.
Neid has been the subject of much debate in Germany since the hosts and defending champions were knocked-out of the tournament after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Japan following extra-time.
Germany were bidding to win a third-straight World Cup title after winning both the 2003 and 2007 tournaments.
Neid had said she would take some time to consider her future, but has always been backed by DFB boss Zwanziger and came to her decision far sooner than expected.
"I do not think that suddenly we did everything wrong. It just wasn't meant to be," said Neid, when asked about her side's World Cup campaign.
The criticism of Neid has included the tactical decisions she made, but personal comments have also been made and the coach admitted she has been hurt by some.
"When the criticism is personal, and not factual, then I can't handle it so well," she said.
Bernd Schroeder, the coach of highly-successful women's side Turbine Potsdam, has been the harshest critic of Neid and the Germany trainer is offended.
"Except for Bernd Schroeder, no other coach in the Bundesliga has criticised me and he has violated a code of honour," Neid said.
On Tuesday, Stefan Prinz, the father of Germany captain Birgit Prinz who spent the game against Japan on the bench, accused Neid of creating splits in the team between young and old players competing for places.
His daughter Birgit, who has retired from the national team after the World Cup, immediately distanced herself from her father's words.
The Japan defeat cost Germany a place at the 2012 Olympics and Neid will now busy herself with qualifiers for the 2013 European Championships which start in September.

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