Public personal hygiene mishaps, speeding fines, old-fashioned jumpers, a 1970s hairstyle, and cheesy commercials for men’s beauty products – Germans are happy to overlook certain things about Joachim Loew.
Because Jogi, as he is affectionately known, is a champion.
He led Germany to the World Cup title in Brazil four years ago and his side is hotly tipped to successfully defend the crown in Russia.
Just don’t type his name in YouTube.
Loew will be doing his best not to be caught on global TV picking his nose again, or putting his hands down the front and back of his pants as he did at Euro 2016.
Lately, he’s been displaying his ruthless side, cutting the promising Leroy Sane – the English Premier League young player of the year – from his final squad.
He recently signed a new contract to take Germany through to the next World Cup in 2022, a move which made it easy for him to kill speculation linking him to the vacant coach’s position at Real Madrid following Zinedine Zidane’s resignation last week.
Loew heeds his disappointments. He took responsibility for Germany’s semifinal defeat to Italy at the 2012 European Championship and said the lessons helped win the World Cup two years later.
A lack of creative options cost Loew as France beat Germany at the semifinal stage again at Euro 2016. But now he has Leipzig’s Timo Werner in attack, while Marco Reus can also make a big difference cutting through opposing defenses if the Borussia Dortmund winger stays injury-free.
Since Germany wrapped up qualification with 10 wins from 10 games, its preparations for Russia have not been convincing. Draws with England, France, and Spain have been followed by defeats to Brazil – which ended the side’s 22-game unbeaten run – and Austria.
”If we play like this we haven’t a chance in Russia,” Loew said after losing to Austria on Saturday. ”There’s a lot to be done. But we won’t drive ourselves crazy and we’re staying calm.”
Another friendly against Saudi Arabia awaits on Friday. Germany’s title defense begins against Mexico on June 17.
Loew promised: ”We’ll be in very good condition before the game against Mexico.”