Loew stays with Germany

Joachim Loew has confirmed he will remain as Germany coach until after Euro 2012.

Loew today ended speculation over his future by announcing he has extended his contract by two years.

The 50-year-old's previous deal expired after the World Cup, but the team's impressive display in South Africa - where it reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Spain - led to a public clamour for it to be extended.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff, Loew's assistant Hans-Dieter Flick and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke have also renewed their deals until after the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

Loew's youthful team beat Australian 4-0, England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 in South Africa before losing to the Spanish.

He said: "We are all pleased that we can continue our work with the national team."

"Our team has excellent sporting prospects and it is a big challenge for us to be able to get stuck into the preparations for Euro 2012 after the successful World Cup in South Africa."

Loew added: "Thanks to the excellent work the Bundesliga clubs do with young players and to the youth teams of the DFB we are convinced that the national team can further enhance their international standing through modern and attractive football."

Germany's young stars were among the most impressive players at the World Cup, with Werder Bremen's Mezut Oezil and Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller - who landed the Golden Boot and Best Young Player award - winning especially high praise.

Loew added: "In order to be able to achieve our main goals in the near future, we need the continued hard and consistent work from everyone. Therefore, continuing to work closely with sporting director Matthias Sammer is very important to me."