By Arne Richter Jul 7, 2006, 16:32 GMT
Berlin - World Cup organizing committee president Franz Beckenbauer said Friday that he believes the tournament has been a resounding success even if his beloved Germany were eliminated at the semi-final stage by Italy.
'We are all winners, there are no losers,' Beckenbauer told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Friday. 'There is virtually nothing to criticize. Pretty well everything functioned perfectly.'
Beckenbauer, who has been present at 46 of the 62 World Cup matches to date, said he was particularly pleased by the atmosphere among fans at the tournament, which he believed was 'how God meant the world to be'.
Naturally, the former Germany coach and player was also delighted that his country proved the critics wrong with a run to the last four.
'We are back, the team has proved it,' he said. 'The team is only at the beginning. It's very young and will improve thanks to this World Cup experience.'
Beckenbauer felt coach Juergen Klinsmann deserved the credit for Germany's footballing renaissance and called on him to continue in his position.
'As far as I'm concerned, he has to continue because he has started something that isn't completed yet,' said Beckenbauer,adding that he couldn't think of anyone to replace Klinsmann.
'The team need him. That's why they want to keep him.'
The football legend said his only disappointment at this World Cup was the poor performance by defending champions Brazil, who went out in the quarter-finals at the hands of finalists France.
'Nothing much worked with them,' he said.
With UEFA president Lennart Johansson announcing on Tuesday whether he will seek another term as European football supremo or step down, Beckenbauer refused to confirm or deny whether he would like to succeed the Swede, if the situation arises.
'We will wait and see. Something will happen,' said the 60-year- old.
Johansson, 76, has led the UEFA for 16 years and hinted that he would step down if Beckenbauer confirms his interest in European football`s top job. Another candidate is Frenchman Michel Platini.
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