Germany Must Prepare for Klinsmann Exit

It's never too early to start thinking about the future, and West Germany's 1974 World Cup victor Franz Beckenbauer says his country should start thinking about possible successors to manager Jürgen Klinsmann in case he quits after next month's World Cup.

"A successful World Cup and an agreement with Klinsmann would be perfect," Beckenbauer told public broadcaster ARD. "But if for some reason Klinsmann does not want to carry on after the World Cup we need to have someone in mind."

Long one of Klinsmann's loudest critics, the Kaiser didn't give the current national team coach much of a chance to prove himself in front of the home crowd during the finals, which run from June 9 to July 9.

"If the team crashes out of the tournament early on with a disappointing performance then questions have to be asked," Beckenbauer added. "Then (his position) would be unsustainable."

Klinsmann took over from Rudi Voller as German national coach in August 2004 after Germany failed to win a single match at the 2004 European Championships.

The former Bayern Munich player and current California resident, is contracted until the end of the finals, running from June 9 until July 9, but has refused to sign an extension saying his future hinges on how hosts Germany perform at the World Cup.

Three-time winners Germany open the World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9 before further group matches against Poland and Ecuador.