Klinsmann finds winning line for press critics

BERLIN, Jun 4: Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann welcomed an offer from the editor-in-chief of Bild am Sonntag newspaper to forecast and write the tabloid's headline for its July 9, 2006 edition -- the day of the World Cup final.

''Jungs, ihr packt das!'' (Lads, you can do it!),'' Klinsmann said in an interview today.

And when asked to write a headline for the day after on July 10, he said: ''Ihr habt's gepackt!'' (You did it!).'' Klinsmann, who has been the target of dozens of critical headlines by the newspaper, said he especially disliked the way tabloid headline writers have shortened his name to ''Klinsi''.

''I wish this nickname didn't exist,'' he said. ''I don't like it at all. But fortunately my wife says 'Juergen' to me.''

REUTERS