Sammer selected against Klinsmann's wishes

Frankfurt:

Former national team midfielder Matthias Sammer has been selected the German Soccer Federation Sports Director. The 38-year-old was selected by the DFB presidium in a special meeting. The selection comes despite objections from national team coach Juergen Klinsmann. Klinsmann had backed national ice hockey coach Bernhard Peters for the newly created job, which will have a primary task of developing German talent. Peters, who has been lauded for his success with youth programs in ice hockey, already had a general agreement with Klinsmann. "It's disappointing that our concept with Bernhard Peters won't pay off," Klinsmann said. German media has termed Peters' rejection the biggest setback yet for Klinsmann, who has pushed through numerous reforms in German soccer. (AP)