Der Kaiser said: "I really hope Klinsmann will continue. He left a big influence on this team, the players trust him.

"You can't say that Italy were two goals better, but they were more clever. The German team played well, but Italy deserved to be in the final."

Klinsmann is only under contract with the German FA until the end of these finals, and he has so far been non-commital about his future.

There are reports that the United States are interested in recruiting him to lead their up and coming team. Klinsmann lives in California, something which, pre-tournament, was a divisive bone of contention.

After Tuesday night's heroic defeat against the inspired Italians, Klinsmann said: "My own situation is not the most important thing right now. I need some time to let all of this sink in and some time to speak to my family."

Klinsmann has resisted calls for him to re-settle in Germany.

Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as a player in 1974 and a coach in 1990, had (along with many others) criticised Klinsmann before the tournament and suggested that a replacement be lined up in case Germany went out of the competition early.

However, Klinsmann confounded all his critics by leading the team further than many had expected, and winning over the German nation.

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