Germany coach Joachim Low was responsible for the 7-1 annihilation of Brazil on Tuesday in the 2014 World Cup semifinal as the global population watched on, mouths ajar in collective shock.
Where Brazil ran wild on emotion because of the crushing weight of expectation, the Germans remained calm and composed like a well-oiled machine, executing the many opportunities afforded to them by the host's mistakes. Germany's five goals scored in the opening 29 minutes were the fastest of that amount in World Cup history. Additionally, Brazil had never allowed 6 goals in a World Cup match and hadn't lost a competitive home game since 1975, a run of 63 games.
Germany flattened Brazil because of the its footballing ethos and Low's adept managing skills. But Low is a former apprentice. His mentor? None other than U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
Much of Germany's success in recent years can be linked back to Klinsmann and his stellar coaching performance before and during the 2006 World Cup.
Low was Klinsmann's right-hand man in 2006 when he controversially changed Germany's football style from pragmatism to a provocative, free-flowing archetype.
The country felt the need to change after losing 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final to — yup — Brazil. As is usual with anything unfamiliar though, Klinsmann's tactics where seen as radical and questioned extensively, especially his reliance on youth.
Klinsmann, as he's done as the leader of the Yanks, firmly held his ground. The hosts were the talk of the tournament when they unexpectedly rushed to the semifinals only losing out to eventual champions Italy. German finished the tournament in third place.
Klinsmann stepped down after the tournament at 46 despite being offered a new contract, citing fatigue and yearning for family time. Low was quickly appointed to succeed him.
"The only sensible option has been to ask Joachim to lead them further. I am very glad that he has taken up this challenge," Klinsmann told BBC Sport in 2006. "I have always said that he was much more than an assistant trainer. He was always a firm partner. My role was perhaps that of a supervisor."
Low has gone on to do extraordinary things as the German coach, taking Die Mannschaft to the semifinals of the four major tournaments Germany has entered since. But make no mistake, Low was taught by Klinsmann and used his mentor's platform — an organized defensive shape that quickly transitions into a zippy and ruthless attack — to launch his successful management career.
This bodes well for the future of U.S. Soccer, which signed Klinsmann in July 2011 as the federation's technical director and coach of the national team. His influence has already shown dramatic results, as was duly proven by an enthralling 2014 World Cup performance that saw the Americans escape from the vaunted Group of Death and fall just short to Belgium in the Round of 16.
To be successful in 2018 and beyond, U.S. Soccer needs a massive undertaking. It's a big picture concept, the likes of which Klinsmann has done before and relishes. When it's complete, Klinsmann could have the U.S. bulldozing opponents with the same efficiency and calculated approach that saw his predecessor breeze into the 2014 World Cup Final.
Germany stomped on the five-time world champions but only defeated Klinsmann's USA 1-0, hinting at yet another early sign, even in a loss, that America is in for exciting things under their German leader.
Right now, Klinsmann is excited for his home country, and rightfully so. In four years time, U.S. fans hope Klinsmann will send this same tweet but with his native country replaced by his new country.
| Nicolas Hallett is a staff writer for 105 The Ticket. He recently graduated from the University of Minnesota and has written for the Murphy News Service, the Minnesota Daily and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Follow him on Twitter @NicolasHallett |