Miroslav Klose to join Joachim Low's Germany coaching set-up

The 38-year-old, who has not officially ended his playing career despite not having his contract at Lazio renewed in the summer, will join Low and his coaching team for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against San Marino and friendly in Italy.

"I celebrated my greatest successes in the national team and this was a wonderful time which remains unforgettable," Klose said.

"That is why I'm delighted to return to the DFB. In the past few months, I have thought a lot about continuing my playing career, but also about looking at new avenues, namely becoming a coach.

"Reading a game, preparing painstakingly, developing strategies and tactics have always intrigued me and interested me a lot as a player.

"I am very grateful to Jogi Low and (assistant coach) Hansi Flick for this opportunity to sharpen my ideas now in practice."

Klose became Germany's all-time top goalscorer with 71 goals before bringing his international career to an end with victory in the 2014 World Cup final.

Having benefitted from his goals for eight years, Low is now hoping to benefit from Klose's insights off the field.

"I've always been able to rely on Miro and that's why I'm really pleased that he is now going to be part of our team," he said.

"He's a role model as a person and a sportsman who always puts everything else after the team and success.

"With his views and his experience, I can see him very well as a coach in the future and we are happy to support him along the way with the DFB.

"I am sure that we the coaches are going to benefit as much from his presence here as we did when he was a player. We're looking forward to working with Miro."