Klinsmann not to renew Germany contract - reports

BERLIN, July 12 (Reuters) German national soccer coach Juergen Klinsmann has decided not to extend his contract, which expired at the end of the World Cup, accordifng to German media.

Klinsmann has told the co-president of the German soccer federation, Theo Zwanziger, that he will not be staying on, Bild newspaper said in a preview of its Wednesday edition, without identifying its source.

Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung also reported that the former Germany striker had decided to step down, while German sports news agency SID said team manager Oliver Bierhoff had indirectly confirmed Klinsmann's decision.

Assistant coach Joachim Loew would now be offered the job, the agency said, without naming its source. Bierhoff said there would be a news conference in Frankfurt today at 0930 GMT, SID reported.

Klinsmann, who lives in California, has been urged from all sides to stay on after he led Germany to third place in the World Cup, but he had said he needed to consult with his family before making a decision.

All 23 German players, 93 percent of the public, according to opinion polls, and even some of his harshest critics have all said they wanted him to continue.

Germany have a friendly against Sweden on August 16 before their 2008 European Championships qualifying campaign starts in September and Zwanziger has said a decision has to be made before the match with the Swedes.

Klinsmann has dismissed reports he received a lucrative offer to coach the United States and has said he has no interest in coaching another national team such as England or Italy.

REUTERS DH KP1026