With 198 matches managed for the Germany national team, Joachim Löw holds the record for the most appearances and the most victories of any head coach in the program's history. His career spanned decades, transitioning from a competitive forward in the Bundesliga to a tactical manager who secured major international titles for Germany.
Playing Career
Born in 1960 in Schönau im Schwarzwald, Löw began his professional tenure in 1978 with SC Freiburg. He played as a forward for several clubs, including VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Karlsruher SC. His goal-scoring record at SC Freiburg stood until 2020. He finished his playing days in Switzerland, appearing for FC Schaffhausen and FC Winterthur between 1989 and 1994, while representing the West Germany national under-21 team four times.
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Löw started coaching at FC Winterthur and FC Frauenfeld. In 1996, he became caretaker manager at VfB Stuttgart, leading the club to a fourth-place finish and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final in 1998. Subsequent roles included stints at Fenerbahçe, Karlsruher SC, and Adanaspor. He later found success in Austria, managing Tirol Innsbruck to the 2001–02 Austrian Bundesliga title and winning the 2003 Austrian Supercup with Austria Wien.
National Team Tenure
In 2004, Löw joined the Germany national team staff as assistant to Jürgen Klinsmann. Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he assumed the role of head coach. During his leadership, Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. He announced his resignation in March 2021, remaining in the position until after the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
Recognition
For his contributions to German sport, Löw received the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2010. He was also honored with the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt and was inducted into Germany's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Schönau im Schwarzwald
- Germany national team manager: 2006–2021
- Total matches managed for Germany: 198
- Matches won for Germany: 124
- 2014 FIFA World Cup winner
- 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup winner
- Cross of the Order of Merit: 2010
- Germany's Sports Hall of Fame: 2015
Questions readers ask
How many matches did Joachim Löw manage for Germany?
He managed 198 matches, which is the record for the German national team.
Which major tournaments did Löw win as Germany manager?
He led the team to victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Achievements
- Germany's Sports Hall of Fame
- Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
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