We love football! How Jogi Löw and the German National Team have impressed me

Wer deutsch lesen will, klickt hier.

By Gaby Feile

The Football World-Cup in South Africa is over. Spain has won the title for the first time - and really deserves it. The country has been ecstatic, and the victory will replace the dominating topic “La Crisis“ - at least for a while. Their football has set new benchmarks. I wished we had seen more goals from them, though. Well, Germany took over this job!

I personally have only experienced the final week of the world-cup in Germany (the other three weeks I was in Spain). Yet I was infected by the fantastic mood in the country. 82 million people living in Germany cannot be wrong: the German team represents the country with beautiful football, a great performance and a multi-cultural team. The national colours black-red-gold were dominating everywhere, and radio stations played football songs all over. Every opportunity and technical possibilitiy were used to watch the German team playing, even during working-hours. And just like during the „summer fairy tale in 2006“, there was “Kaiser-weather“ (somehow linked to Beckenbauer, the country‘s most famous football player).  

This time the “Us-Feeling“ in the German team and among the German population has inspired me even more than during the world-cup 2006 in Germany. Young and old, men and women, German ultra-conservatives and their international neighbours all have been proud of their country and had something to cheer about: Germany at last plays good football! And they are the third-best team in the world, according to numbers! Emotionally, they are “champions of the heart“.  

How has the German coach, Jogi Löw, transmitted the spark? How has the team been able to encourage their huge fan club? How is it possible that even Brazil, Italy and England cheer for the Germans?  

This is how my personal observations look like. They can be transferred to other areas of life, I think:  

The vision:

Jogi Löw often talks about his vision. He has a clear picture in mind, how the team should play football. All his decisions are in line with this vision and everybody in the team knows, lives and breathes the vision.

The goal:

An achievable goal is important. The entire team knew the goal and wanted to reach it. They could explain the goal and share it as well as being part of it. Once you reach the goal (it was the semi-final for the German team), you can raise the bar. Of course, you need to consider that reaching the new goal might be more difficult. And if it is not achieved, one focuses on the future and gives one‘s best to leave a positive final impression. This is what the German team did with ending on 3rd place by beating Uruguay.  

The team:

The coach and all players seem to have mentioned the team, the „Mannschaft“, the squad over and over again. Smart journalists who wanted to hear statements from and about individual players, had to accept to continuously hear praise and positive feedback for the collective performance.  

The players play for each other not only with each other. Each single player does his job and all of them are important, even substitutes and the team behind the team. There are no chiefs, and a little captain‘s armband does not make a big difference either.  

The selection of the players is done by considering talent and personality and not only short-term results. Character and the ability to carry the vision count just as much.  

The personalities:

Not only was Jogi Löw voted best-dressed coach during the world-cup, he constantly is being described as meticulous worker and very talented football teacher. This comes in combination with his modesty and his pleasing way to treat people. He trusts them and they trust him.  

The team around him complements him and contributes qualities that he might lack.

seSomething even Germany‘s president has mentioned more than once is, that the players of the new generation are also great “characters“ with the will to fight.

Differences can multiply chances to succeed, they complete each other disproportionately.  And I am not talking about skin colours, birth places or foreign names.  

The values:

Respect, politeness and integrity have played significant roles in the life and the career of Jogi Löw - and in his work with the national team. It is said that the players own emotional intelligence and communication talent. Bad talk does not exist - probably a novelty during a tournament like this.  

The leadership style:

As a leader, Jogi bears the responsibility for all the decisions. He does, however, involve others to find solutions and values their ideas and suggestions. Here as well, the team counts more than the individual.  

The decisions:

Let people talk! External comments from the press or so called experts do not influence the coach‘s decisions. As long as they do contribute to the realisation of the vision and the achievement of the goal, decisions are correct.  

The challenges:

Obvious setbacks, bad news (such as the cancellation of the long-time captain), and defeats are being deplored adequately and worked on together. They are considered as challenges, and very often they become great opportunities. Well deserved winners deserve to be congratulated. This is much better than discussing past mistakes over and over again. And this is how the next victory will come for sure.  

The focus:

“To focus“ along with “we“ was the most used word within the German team. And the concentration on just the coming game paid off. The coach even moved all thoughts about the prolongation of his contract to the time after the world-cup in order to fulfil his current duties.

The idols:

To measure oneself with the best is much more effective than to do so with the ones that fail. Using the Spanish system and their way to play football as benchmark, does work. Even when one gets beaten by exactly this system.  

And what we can learn from Spain: Patience is very important, and if you believe in your style, do continue with it. The victories will come one day, and they are more beautiful - and well deserved.   

What impressions have other teams left during the world-cup? What is the secret of the Spanish or the Dutch team? How come that Uruguay finished 4th best? And what were the reasons for France and Italy to leave the tournament that early?  

Post your comments, suggestions and tips right here. I love reading all of them. Thank you!