JOACHIM LOW has announced that he will step down as Germany boss after the summer’s European Championships. The 61-year-old has enjoyed tremendous success in his career, reaching the pinnacle of World Cup glory back in 2014. But many fans will remember him better for some of his… less appealing traits. While many managers would probably […]
JOACHIM LOW has announced that he will step down as Germany boss after the summer’s European Championships.
The 61-year-old has enjoyed tremendous success in his career, reaching the pinnacle of World Cup glory back in 2014.
But many fans will remember him better for some of his… less appealing traits.
While many managers would probably admit that they can become different animals on the touchline, some of Low’s antics would leave viewers feeling queasy.
Whether it’s scratching his nether regions before taking a big old sniff, or unfortunate sweaty pits, Low clearly wasn’t too bothered about putting on persona for the cameras on the sideline.
So upon the news that he’ll be leaving Die Mannschaft, let’s remind ourselves of Low’s most vomit-inducing moments.
Reigning World Cup winners Germany got their Euro 2016 campaign underway with a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lille, France.
But the match was overshadowed by one particularly vile moment.
Rather than Bastian Schweinsteiger or Shkodran Mustafi’s goals, the match is better remembered for Low sticking his hand down his pants, having a good root around his crotch on the touchline.
Just when fans thought it was safe to look again, with Low having returned to his seat, they were made to recoil for a second time, as he gave his sweaty hand a hearty sniff.
Normally, other than those watching at home, Low’s antics only really concern himself.
But on this occasion at the 2014 World Cup, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo unwittingly found himself caught in the crossfire.
Germany trounced Portugal 4-0 in their opening game of the tournament. And as he was trudging off the pitch, CR7 shook the outstretched hand of opposition manager Low.
Little did he know, said outstretched hand featured a finger that mere seconds earlier had been digging for treasure up Low’s nose. Yikes.
The year is 2008. Low is younger, his hair is still jet black… but he possesses some of the same traits.
Taking charge of his first tournament since succeeding Jurgen Klinsmann, Low is looking dapper in his white shirt and scarf.
But to fans’ horror, he appears to start rubbing his sweaty armpits.
And to cap it off, he delivers what will become a trademark, flat-palmed finger-sniff. Yuck.
The constant hum of vuvuzelas drove most of us bonkers back in 2010… but it didn’t drive most of us to do anything like this.
Sat in the dugout, his face a picture of steely concentration, Low really digs deep in his nostril.
Aha, success! He appears to have finally dug out that bogey he’s been craving – but then pesky assistant Hansi Flick (whatever happened to him?) seems to interrupt him to talk about the game.
But no matter, the moment Flick turns away Low, almost in slow motion, places his fingers on his lips. Poor disguise Jogi, we see you.
Two years on in 2012, Germany are aiming to go one better than they did at Euro 2008 and win the thing… but Low hasn’t changed his touchline tactics.
Again he’s sat pensively in the dugout with Flick by his side.
And again, when Flick has turned away, he goes digging for snotters, putting them in his mouth and gulping them down.
In 2016 Low would apologise to the media, blaming ‘adrenalin’ for his actions. If you say so Jogi…
