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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by Karl[/i] [br] 23 September 2004 by FIFAworldcup.com After successful careers spent thrilling crowds with their audacious goal scoring exploits, former strikers Jürgen Klinsmann, Marco Van Basten and Hristo Stoichkov now have something else in common. All three now prowl the touchlines as coaches of their country’s national team, charged with the heady task restoring them to their former glory. A new and illustrious generation has been stepping up to top-level management as the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ looms large on the horizon. Chief among them is the host nation’s Jürgen Klinsmann, a surprise choice to succeed Rudi Völler when both Ottmar Hitzfeld and Otto Rehhagel declined the task of picking up the Euro 2004 pieces. The former scoring sensation has taken on the challenge of turning around Germany’s fortunes in time for the showcase event on home soil. And in a fine start to his tenure, 'Klinsi' silenced doubters for the time being with a comfortable 3-1 success in Austria and a hugely creditable 1-1 draw against world champions Brazil - a result that partly atoned for Germany's defeat in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final. A lack of experience Nonetheless, the critics wasted no time in questioning Klinsmann's decision to continue living with his family on the outskirts of Los Angeles, and in highlighting his minimal coaching experience. Before starting work for the German Football Association (DFB), the 40-year-old's sole qualification for the job was a role as technical advisor to MLS outfit LA Galaxy. But the ex-Inter and Spurs star is determined to defy his detractors. He quickly installed former strike partner Oliver Bierhoff as team coach and won over both the dressing room and public with his open, amiable personality. He also had the audacity to make a forthright declaration of intent, promising that Germany would launch a realistic assault on the 2006 world crown. One player has proved an ace in the pack for the new Germany coach. Kevin Kuranyi has scored all four goals of the Klinsmann era to date, widening the ever-present smile on the boss's face still further. "We're engaged in laying the foundations on the long road ahead towards 2006," Klinsmann observed. "There'll always be the odd bad result here and there, but what matters is that the team starts to come together as a unit." The hosts qualify automatically for the 2006 FIFA World Cup so Germany's fixtures in the run-up to the finals will mainly be useful as pulse-checks. Another two former greats now in the managerial hot seat are not so fortunate. Their sights are set squarely on getting to Germany for the big party. Marco Van Basten has followed Dick Advocaat as Netherlands chief, while Hristo Stoichkov has taken the Bulgarian reins following a disastrous showing in Portugal. Both new bosses have made encouraging starts. The Dutch ran up an impressive 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic, unquestionably their stiffest opposition in Group 1, while Stoitchkov recently led his side to an opening win on the road in Iceland. Youth to the fore for Van Basten's Oranje Striking legend Van Basten's first order of business was to axe an older generation of players in favour of up-and-coming talent. His debut at the national helm, a 2-2 friendly draw with Sweden, was acclaimed a critical success, while his first FIFA World Cup qualifying starting line-up featured just three players - Edgar Davids, Johnny Heitinga and ‘keeper Edwin Van der Sar - who faced the Czech Republic at the group stage in Portugal. Van Basten has a deal keeping him in charge until the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, but the 1992 FIFA World Player of the Year and three-time European Footballer of the Year has his sights firmly set on the 2006 FIFA World Cup for now. The 58-time Dutch international has fond memories of neighbouring Germany after winning the 1988 European Championship crown there with the Netherlands, ending the tournament as leading scorer with five goals. Bulgarian hopes rest on Stoitchkov's shoulders Bulgaria great Stoitchkov went one better than Van Basten, finishing joint leading scorer with Oleg Salenko at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA on six goals. The stylish, enigmatic forward took over following a dismal showing by Bulgaria in Portugal which prompted former boss Palmen Markovs to quit as the East Europeans headed for home with no points and their tails tucked between their legs. Hopes of qualifying for 2006 now rest squarely on the notoriously eccentric 38-year-old's shoulders as he seeks to whip a squad brimming with potential into shape for Germany. Dimitar Berbatov's brace set Bulgaria on their way to a 3-1 success in Iceland and a fine qualifying debut for the new coach. The FIFA World Cup is still some way off, but Stoichkov will be hoping to pull off the same kind of surprise as that achieved by the team built around him at USA 1994. The shining star of the best Bulgarian side of all time which reached the semi-finals a decade ago, Stoitchkov’s string of outstanding displays contributed to a European Footballer of the Year crown that season. The three new faces in the world coaching elite face their next significant tests in two-weeks time. Stoitchkov leads his squad to a tough-looking appointment with group leaders Croatia. Van Basten and the Dutch travel to Macedonia, while 'Klinsi' and the German squad board the plane for an intriguing friendly against Iran in Teheran. The sides have only met once, a 1998 FIFA World Cup group encounter when the Germans came out on top 2-0, thanks to goals from one Oliver Bierhoff and a certain Jürgen Klinsmann. [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.