The Jürgen Klinsmann Bio:

Clubs: Stuttgarter Kickers (Germany), VfB Stuttgart (Germany), FC Inter-Milan (Italy), AS Monaco (France), Tottenham Hotspur (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Sampdoria Genoa (Italy)

Highlights: German League Champion, 1997, with Bayern Munich; UEFA Cup Winner, 1996, with Bayern Munich; UEFACup Winner, 1991 with Inter-Milan

National Team: Germany

Stats: 108 Caps, 47 Goals

Accomplishments: World Cup Champion 1990, European Nations Cup Champion 1996, Bronze Medalists at the 1988 Seoul Olympics

AG (Alfred Galustian): Could you please describe your development as a young player?
JK (Jürgen Klinsmann): I started to play for a local junior team when I was 8 1/2. Besides that team, I kicked the ball around every day and I think that's where I developed most of my skills.

AG: Were you a goal-scorer then?
JK: Well, I scored 106 goals in 18 games, in one game even 16 goals.

AG: Did you get encouragement from your family?
JK: Yes, they were always supportive. My father would come to every home game and stand behind the goal, never making any comment.

AG: You told me previously that you were disappointed at seeing many youth matches where parents were shouting and critical of the play or referees, your father sounds like a "model dad"?
JK: Yes. It disappoints me when I go to children's games and see bad behaviour from parents. I hear comments that prevent players from enjoying the game and feeling confident about themselves. Kids only can develop their skills in a relaxed environment.

AG: What has changed from when you were a young player (15-17) and what young players in European professional clubs experience today?
JK: I think these days that it is more difficult for young players to focus on the game itself. It is very big business now, even at this young age. If you are rewarded very early on it's as if you have already "arrived" before you have made the journey.

AG: What part did confidence play in achieving your ambitions to be a professional, and can a coach help/hurt this or is it to do entirely with the individual player?
JK: I think a youth coach can influence a player's career a lot more than a professional coach. If a coach is negative in the early formative years, it is possible that a players progress will be blocked because the confidence is damaged. This is another reason why I think that the best coaches should coach young players. At the moment, the best coaches are recruited to coach the older players.

AG: What are the qualities of a good striker?
JK: I think mental attitude is important; being greedy for a goal, being focused and sharp. I also think confidence plays an important part. In training I think consistency in repetition applies.

AG: In our Coerver Coaching program we focus a lot on speed: running with the ball, acceleration, stopping and starting and reaction. Did you work on improving this aspect of the game as a young player and if so how?
JK: I was lucky. I was naturally pretty quick, but in my teens I found that as I got tired, my co-ordination would be affected. It was then, that I started to work on my upper body strength. At 18, I would do extra strength training once or twice a week by myself. My brother was a track and field athlete and I worked then with his sprinter coach to improve my co-ordination. I think this made me much faster and sharper.

AG: What other skills should a Youth Development Program focus on and why?
JK: I think a program like COERVER, which focuses in the early years on technique, spending a lot of time touching the ball and with the ball and allows players as much enjoyment as much as possible is the best youth development program.

AG: In the USA there are millions of young players, their Women's Team are World Champions, their U17's are one of the best teams in the world and yet the National League is still a developing one. How important is a strong National League to improving standards?
JK: I think a strong pro league is important. Kids need to watch great players to get inspired.

AG: What do you think of the MLS?
JK: I think there has been a lot of progress. The level of play has certainly improved. I have a close relationship with Sigi Schmid of the LA Galaxy and they have many good players. I think the league has great potential and I look forward to its success.

AG: We worked together in Japan recently and you saw our Coerver Coaching program and our beliefs and approach to youth development. I'd be interested to know what your opinion is of our program?
JK: I like your program a lot. I wish it had been around when I was a young player; it would probably have made me a better player. I think the emphasis that the Coerver program puts on technical teaching, the variety of the content and the fun that you can have with it is very positive for young players.

AG: You said it was important for young players to have models. Who are some of the great players who inspired you as a young boy?
JK: I liked Uwe Seeler (German World Cup Star of 60's and 70's) for his wonderful spirit. I also admired Beckenbauer, Pele, Wolfgang Overath, Hansi Mueller and Kevin Keegan, who played in Germany for Hamburg.

AG: You have played in the major leagues in Europe; which was your favourite league?
JK: I enjoyed aspects of all, but I think playing in England was the most satisfying. There the focus was mainly on the game itself and not on the outside distractions. Also, he media aspect was less intense.

AG: What are your ambitions for the future?
JK: I have recently completed my professional coaching license in June in Germany. I'd like to learn more about youth development. As a family we are very happy in California and right now there is no need to go straight back into a job. I will take my time to find out in which direction I'd like to get involved.