US coach supports charity project with his prize money

The US national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann was nominated for the main prize of the initiative GERMAN SOCCER AMBASSADOR 2015 by a distinguished panel of experts. He has been highly successful as a German soccer coach abroad, especially committed to social-corporate activities and contributed to the positive image of Germany in the world.

German coaches are being nominated for their commitment abroad. Klinsmann has been active as the head coach of the US national team since 2011. Before his career as a trainer he had already been very successful as a player. In 1995 he was appointed ‘player of the year’ in England. He was also very popular in Italy and enjoyed a high reputation among his fans. 

He attracted a lot of attention as the coach of the US national team shaping football and making it especially popular to the public. Many celebrities, such as US President Barack Obama, support him. Even during the World Cup in Brazil the US team surprised with its performance making it to the round of sixteen.

Roland Bischof (initiator) and the German Consul General Dr. Bernd Fischer overhanded the nomination certificate to Klinsmann at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles.

Jürgen Klinsmann: “I am glad that my commitment is honoured to this extent. So far I have never really seen myself as an ambassador. I appreciate the fact that my work got to the people of the countries where I was actively playing and coaching.”

With his prize money Klinsmann will support the Soccer for Success Program of the El Monte Community Building Initiative in Los Angeles, a project of the US Soccer Foundation. In cooperation with the American Soccer Association, concepts to support children and young people are being established. Klinsmann is also socially active in Germany, Romania and Bulgaria working for his own Foundation called “Agapedia”.

In addition to Klinsmann, Michael Nees and Eckhard Krautzun were also nominated for the “German Soccer Ambassador 2015” award. Michael Nees is active for the Israeli Soccer Association where he enjoys a high reputation and Eckhard Krautzun was critically acclaimed in Asia and Africa. The winner will be announced on June 2nd at the Foreign Office in Berlin. The opening speech at the event last year was held by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasizing the importance of the award.