Skibbe takes U20 job
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Article summary
Michael Skibbe is staying with the German Football Association (DFB) in the post of Germany Under-20 coach.
Article body
Dual role
When Jürgen Klinsmann was installed as new national coach together with Joachim Löw and Oliver Bierhoff as his assistants, it was widely expected that Skibbe would leave the DFB despite having a contract that runs until 30 June 2006. However, today the DFB announced that the 39-year-old would remain within the association, working both as a youth co-ordinator and as coach of the U20 team.
Netherlands the goal
Skibbe, the former coach of BV Borussia Dortmund, said he was looking forward to leading Germany to the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands next year. "There is no point in looking back," he said. "I am happy especially to lead the U20s to the World Cup in the Netherlands next year."
Education
Skibbe had wanted to take the U21 job, but this went to Klinsmann's former Germany team-mate Dieter Eilts, while former U21 coach Uli Stielike took over the U19s. Besides his U20 post, Skibbe will also be responsible for coach education and co-operating with the youth academies of the Bundesliga clubs.