Jones to succeed Neid as Germany coach in 2016
Monday, March 30, 2015
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Silvia Neid will be replaced by Steffi Jones when she steps down as Germany coach next year to take up a women's scouting post with the German Football Association.
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Silvia Neid, Germany's two-time UEFA European Women's Championship-winning coach, will leave her post in 2016 to assume a scouting role with the German Football Association (DFB).
The 50-year-old will be succeeded by former Germany defender Steffi Jones, who will step up from the administrative job she holds with the DFB. Neid – part of all eight of Germany's UEFA Women's EURO triumphs as player, assistant or head coach – said her decision to quit at the end of her contract "was made a while ago". She will lead Germany at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada and will hope to earn qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games, where she holds a bronze medal from 2008.
"I've been in discussions with the DFB about a new role and am looking forward to taking it up," added Neid, who will also begin UEFA Women's EURO 2017 qualifying as coach before handing over. "Steffi has our backing. We'll all be working together closely as part of the new structure. It's good that the future has already been planned as it means we can fully concentrate on the World Cup in Canada. I am motivated for the future because we have big targets to achieve."
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach said: "We are bringing some of the most important figures in women's football together and building a structure accordingly. Silvia Neid has achieved a lot in the game and her experience will be crucial in her new role. Steffi Jones has been involved in the set-up for a number of years and knows the game well. We're certain she is the correct successor to Neid."
Neid was appointed head coach in 2005 after serving under Tina Theune-Meyer during that year's UEFA Women's EURO victory in England. In 2007 Neid guided Germany to FIFA Women's World Cup glory in China and further UEFA Women's EURO successes followed in 2009 and 2013. As a player, she scored 48 goals in 111 internationals, lifting the European title in 1989, 1991 and 1995.
Jones, 42, won the World Cup in 2003 and the continental crown in 1997, 2001 and 2005.
