BERLIN, March 4: Germany’s humiliating 4-1 defeat by Italy on Wednesday left coach Jurgen Klinsmann with criticism ringing in his ears and even German politicians are demanding an explanation ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

The defeat in Florence saw Klinsmann, a 1990 World Cup winning hero with West Germany, and his troops ridiculed in the sporting media and now poltics has dipped its oar in.

“It would be nice if Mr Klinsmann could explain his ideas and how he wants us to be world champions,” said Norber Barthle, a member of the governing CDU party.

“The game against Italy was awful and you are left asking how he can make up ground by the summer. The Federal Govenment is the biggest sponsor of the World Cup and I would just like a few answers.”

Klinsmann has refused to budge from his target of lifting the World Cup on home soil but his selection policy has often been perplexing.

“Klinsmann has good players to call on but there are too many uncertainties,” declared Reinhold Henker, a SPD member of the sport committee.

“He should start stating clearly who he is counting on.”

Immediately after the Florence fiasco The German Football Federation (DFB) backed Klinsmann to get it right at the World Cup with president Theo Zwanziger pointing out that there had been setbacks in the build-up to previous World Cups.

“In 1954, 1974 and 1990 there were bad results prior to the tournaments and heated discussions,” said Zwanziger.

“But we ended up being crowned world champions.”

Franz Beckenbauer, head of the 2006 World Cup Organising Committee, also backed Klinsmann, saying it would be folly to discuss his future just months before the finals.—AFP