Loew to be handed new contract - Bild

German coach Joachim Loew will be handed a new contract as a reward for guiding the national team to the World Cup semi-finals, it was reported by the normally reliable Bild yesterday, though, German football supremo Theo Zwanziger later denied the claims.

The 50-year-old has been out of contract since June 30. However, according to Bild, despite initial talks having broken down earlier this year over financial disagreements, and also over Loew's desire to have more control over the Under-21 side, German Football Federation (DFB) president Zwanziger will rubberstamp the new agreement on July 30 at an executive committee meeting.

The new contract will see Loew, who has the best overall record for a German manager of 38 wins in 55 matches, take charge till Euro 2012.

However, Zwanziger said the crucial talks still had to be held.

"The decision has been taken to meet after the finals are over and things have calmed down," Zwanziger told SID, an affiliate of AFP.

"Joachim Loew knows that we want to stick with him and I believe the chances of that being the case are good."

Loew is still to hold talks with his backroom staff and general manager Oliver Bierhoff to see if they are satisfied with the offer on their return to Germany.

"Like we have said on several occasions, we will talk about all that after the finals," said Bierhoff.

"It is imperative that everyone has three to four days to themselves at home and have the time to reflect."

Should Loew agree to a new contract it would come as a huge blow to DFB technical director Matthias Sammer, who was being touted as a possible alternative to Loew and also vehemently opposed the German coach having more responsibility for the Under-21 side.

Sammer, who guided the U-21 side to European glory last year with a side including Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Sami Khedira, does not enjoy good relations with Bierhoff and has stayed away from South Africa.