England 'open talks with Jurgen Klinsmann over managerial job'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 08 July 2016

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff reveals that Jurgen Klinsmann and the English FA are holding talks over the managerial job vacated by Roy Hodgson last month.

England officials have opened talks with Jurgen Klinsmann over the vacant managerial job, according to Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff.

The 51-year-old, who is currently in charge of the United States, recently emerged as one of the frontrunners to replace Roy Hodgson as Three Lions boss.

Hodgson stepped down from his position following the disastrous defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016, as England once more made an early exit from a major finals.

Discussions between Football Association chiefs and the USA manager are now said to be underway, and Bierhoff - who acted as Klinsmann's boss during his spell in charge of the Germany national side - believes that it will be a positive match.

"I think he is in discussion with England," The Sun quotes him as saying. "He would be a good fit. When Klinsmann became Germany coach, we gave the national team a certain pride, atmosphere and organisation.

"We started in 2004 together and he's not always nice to handle because he wants change. He has the courage to make difficult decisions."

Klinsmann guided Germany to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, while more recently taking the USA to the 2016 Copa America semi-finals and winning the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Sam Allardyce is the bookmakers' current favourite to take the England job, with Guus Hiddink, Glenn Hoddle, Harry Redknapp, Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger also thought to be in contention.