Völler ends Germany tenure

Czech defeat
Völler, who took the reins after Germany's disappointing UEFA EURO 2000™ campaign, had hinted he would step down immediately after last night's 2-1 defeat by the Czech Republic. He confirmed the decision following a meeting with the German Football Association (DFB) president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder.

Final decision
Speaking at today's press conference, Völler said: "I have said everything about yesterday's match already. The one thing that I didn't say is that I am stepping down from my post and will not lead Germany into the 2006 [FIFA] World Cup."

New start
"I feel that someone with credit needs to lead Germany into the World Cup. Someone with the same credit I had when I took over four years ago. We need someone who is allowed to try something new and not take a hammering for it if it goes wrong."

Options open
Völler has hinted he could stay with the DFB in a different position. "Coaching the national team is a landmark in the career of every coach. It has been a great experience with ups and downs, but I enjoyed it a lot. I don't know what I will do next, but I am a son of the DFB. I will definitely be in the stands at the World Cup, keeping my fingers crossed for the lads."

Mind made up
Mayer-Vorfelder was surprised by the 44-year-old's decision. He said: "We are all very sad to see him go. We spoke to each other here in the hotel after the match and he told me he wanted to leave. I asked him to reconsider and wait a few weeks, but he had made up his mind and we will have to accept that."

Skibbe prospects
Völler's decision could also end assistant coach Michael Skibbe's time with the national team as his contract was linked to the fortunes of Völler. Mayer-Vorfelder said: "Michael Skibbe has got a valid contract with the DFB as youth co-ordinator. We will uphold that agreement. But we will have to wait and see whether he will still be involved with the national team. First we have to find a new coach."

Hitzfeld linked
Although speculation has already begun about Völler's successor, Mayer-Vorfelder is refusing to give anything away. "I will not comment on names at the moment. We are all trying to deal with Rudi's resignation at the moment." He did, however, mention former FC Bayern München coach Ottmar Hitzfeld as "somebody that we will have to talk about".

World Cup final
Völler led Germany to the 2002 World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil, but they failed to win any of their Group D games at EURO 2004™. Völler had a contract until the 2006 World Cup, which will take place in Germany and was a World Cup winner as a player in 1990.