German FA keeps faith in Klinsmann despite criticism

BERLIN, Mar 8 (Reuters) National coach Juergen Klinsmann has the full backing of Germany's soccer authorities despite the criticism he is facing, the German Football Association (DFB) said today.

The former Germany striker, under scrutiny for a 4-1 friendly defeat by Italy last week, was scolded by Franz Beckenbauer for returning home to California instead of attending a World Cup workshop.

''He (Klinsmann) has all our trust,'' DFB chief executive Theo Zwanziger told daily Die Welt.

''We are all convinced that Klinsmann is the right man to prepare the team for the World Cup,'' he added.

''There is absolutely no doubt about that,'' Zwanziger said when asked whether Klinsmann would keep his job at least until after the June 9-July 9 finals in Germany.

''There is no emergency plan.'' Klinsmann, who won the World Cup as a player in 1990 when Beckenbauer was coach, rejected the attacks by the head of Germany's organising committee yesterday.

''I've got my plan with everything necessary for the World Cup preparations,'' Klinsmann told daily Bild.

Reuters AY BD1732