SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA, Sardinia - A late spring sun is setting behind the
hills, a cooling breeze picking up. Men sweaty from a 90-minute workout huddle
in a circle and holler: "Wir sind ein Team! Wir sind ein Team!"
The chant is a mix of German and English ("We are a team!") The next day, the
sun is stronger and the message is different. American trainers are exhorting
the players in English: "Power! Speed!"
Welcome to the training camp of Germany, the host team of the upcoming World
Cup, preparing for its attempt to win the title for the fourth time.
This blend of German and English reflects coach Juergen Klinsmann's
American-influenced approach to crafting a World Cup contender, an inexperienced
team whose biggest asset may be the home advantage.
Klinsmann hopes his players can overcome their shortcomings with a spirit
that can carry the team a long way. And so they repeat: "We are a team!"
"These slogans, that's new, but why not, it looks like fun," Klinsmann said.
"The players seem to be enjoying it."
"Team spirit is fundamental for our success," he added. "If they are all top
fit, they gain self-confidence on which we can then build up and get them
well-drilled in our game plans."
After a long season of club soccer, Klinsmann seems willing to try any extra
motivation. So he brought his players to sunny Sardinia for five days of
"regeneration" with their families or girlfriends. Apart from practicing twice a
day, they were free to spend their time as they like.
"The wives should also get a feeling of how hugely important this World Cup
is, so that they can stand behind their men in the next few weeks," Klinsmann
said.
As a player, Klinsmann detested long and boring training camps, usually
followed by tedious stays in isolated hotels during tournaments. Now, he takes
his players into downtown hotels before games, an approach similar to that of
U.S. coach Bruce Arena.
Their sprawling hotel complex in Sardinia offers everything from beach
volleyball to tennis to basketball, and even a go-cart track.
Klinsmann has been shaking the country's traditional soccer structure since
he became coach nearly two years ago. Bringing American fitness trainers to the
land of the three-time World Cup champion was just one move prompting skeptical
looks. He picked a Swiss to be his chief scout.
He resisted strong pressure to move his home from California to Germany, at
least in the months before the World Cup. He left open the question of his No. 1
goalkeeper for months, finally settling on Jens Lehmann over longtime starter
Oliver Kahn.
"It's important for me to have my peace and to keep some distance," said
Klinsmann, who lives in the United Strates with his American wife and two
children. "Sometimes you have a better view from outside."
He was always a globe-trotter, having played in Italy, France and England
after leaving Germany. Now, during long flights, he works on his laptop and
sends e-mails. The players have been encouraged to become online savvy, and
Klinsmann often uses power-point presentations.
Klinsmann has surrounded himself with trusted friends from his days as a
player and Germany's captain, putting Oliver Bierhoff in the new position of
general manager. He dismissed a number of longtime national team staff.
He stresses teamwork. But to pay for his large staff and outside help, the
federation had to sign new sponsors.
The 41-year-old coach is vague about his future after the World Cup when his
contract expires. Having played 108 games for Germany and scored 47 goals,
Klinsmann's ambition now is to equal the record of another former German star,
Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup title as captain and coach.
That, of course, will require power and speed from his team.
