Bundesliga coaches expressed surprise and understanding on Thursday for the decision by Ralf Rangnick to resign as Schalke coach because of exhaustion.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said the decision by the 53-year-old coach was “courageous and right.”

In a statement through the German football federation, Loew said: “It shows strength when you sense the batteries are empty and you admit it openly.

“As surprising as his reaction is for everybody it is consistent because he has made it clear that health comes above everything. I wish Ralf a swift recovery.”…

Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick has quit the German Bundesliga club after just six months in charge, citing fatigue syndrome as the reason for his decision.

The 53-year-old Rangnick took over from Felix Magath on March 17, and steered the club to the Champions League semifinals last season, before then winning the German Cup courtesy of a 5-0 thrashing of second division side Duisburg in the final.…

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Mesut Ozil’s Turkish-German background has made him the player that he currently is.

Ozil was born and raised in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, and Mourinho believes the playmaker has benefitted from learning to play football the German way, as well as having natural Turkish flair in his game.…

Coach Joachim Löw said Germany’s last-minute 2-2 friendly draw with Poland has given his players a wake-up call as defensive problems loomed again, while the hosts were left to rue the win that got away.

A 94th-minute goal from Brazil-born striker Cacau spared Germany’s blushes in Gdansk on Tuesday and denied Poland a historic first win over the Germans at the 17th attempt after the hosts took a dramatic 2-1 lead in the 91st minute.…

Watch Mueller set up Cacau’s last-gasp equalizer that came just before the final whistle!

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A young German side stole a late equalizer against an energetic Poland in an international soccer friendly on Tuesday night to deliver a 2-2 result a avoid a first-ever defeat to their eastern neighbors.

Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland looked to have secured a first win over Germany at the 17th attempt when midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski – known as Kuba for short – converted a penalty in the 91st minute to make it 2-1.

But in a dramatic finale, German blushes were spared when second-half replacement Thomas Mueller fired in a cross with time almost up to allow Cacau to equalise on 94 minutes as Germany again came from behind.…

Coach Joachim Löw is set to make seven changes to his side for Tuesday’s friendly against Poland in Gdansk, with Mesut Özil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer among those being rested.

Having all played in the 6-2 victory over Austria on Friday night which confirmed Germany’s place at Euro 2012, none of the trio made the trip to Poland, while defender Benedikt Hoewedes was also left behind with a groin strain.

“We have ready-made replacements for every position,” said Löw, who also admitted his delight at being able to give fringe players a chance after Germany secured their place at the Euro 2012 finals.…

Here are the highlights of Germany’s 6-2 thrashing of Austria.

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