As the German national football team contributed to arousing this previously undeclared enthusiasm and euphoria in Germany over a period of weeks, the then German President Horst Köhler presented the national players on 14 August 2006 with the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), the highest sports award in Germany. The team's trainer, یورقن کلینزمن, in February 2007 was furthermore awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz, not least for his reformed methods of modern training and playing methods, in which he persevered despite harsh criticism. Nevertheless, Klinsmann announced after the tournament that he would not extend his contract as trainer of the national team, since he felt completely burned-out and wished to spend more time with his family in کالیفورنیا ایالتی. The آلمان فوتبال فدراسیونو (DFB) on the same day named as Klinsmann's successor his assistant trainer یوآخیم لوو, since in the opinion of the DFB leadership he would best continue Klinsmann's work and training methods.