Steffi Jones extends Germany contract despite Euro 2017 failure

Jones took over from Silvia Neid, who won the World Cup in 2007 and two of Germany’s eight Euro titles, after the country’s Olympic win in Rio last year but the favorites struggled in the Netherlands, drawing with Sweden in the group stage before departing to the Danes.

Despite the disappointing campaign, Jones signed a new deal with the German football association (DFB) on Wednesday that takes her through to the global tournament in France 2019 and contains an option to extend the deal to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

“Steffi Jones has told us in her analysis that she takes important lessons from the disappointing Euros and has learnt lesson that will help her in her future work,” said DFB President Reinhard Grindel.

Jones, 44, was pleased to have the support of her boss but expects improvements: “I see this as a vote [of confidence] for myself and my team but at the same time as a clear obligation to draw the right conclusions from the Euros to help in the future.”

The former World Cup winning defender doesn’t have long to learn her lessons, the German team face Slovenia in Ingolstadt next month as their qualifying campaign for France 2019 begins.

mp (SID/DPA)

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