Ballack wants Klinsmann to stay

Ballack is regarded as Germany's best player

Germany captain Michael Ballack says he believes Jurgen Klinsmann should stay on as coach after the 2006 World Cup.

Prior to the start of the tournament, Ballack and Klinsmann had reportedly fallen out over tactics.

"I would be pleased if he continued because I think it would be great for German soccer," said Ballack in an interview with newspaper Die Welt.

"A team, which has scope to develop and which has been rightfully forecast a bright future, has been found."

Based in California with his family, Klinsmann had been criticised before the tournament by the German media and even by the legendary Franz Beckenbauer, who lifted the World Cup as both Germany's captain and coach.

Klinsmann has said success was his yardstick, but if the Germans had a good run he could imagine staying in the job for another two to four years.

However Klinsmann has backed his assistant Joachim Low to succeed him as Germany coach should he decide to step down from the post after the World Cup.

Klinsmann, 41, has yet to make a decision on whether he will stay on.

He said: "Jogi has the right eye and the right tone. He has worked for years as a coach and his experience with tactics is far superior to mine."

Low, 47, has worked as head coach at VfB Stuttgart, Fenerbahce and Austria Vienna before being appointed Klinsmann's assistant in August 2004.

The German Football Federation (DFB) has been trying to persuade Klinsmann to sign a contract extension for months, but the former Bayern Munich man refuses to be pressurised.

"I want to see how this World Cup goes then I will step back and speak with my family and my wife about it," revealed Klinsmann.