Cameroon coach Winfried Schaefer says the German Football Federation (DFB) has not approached him about succeeding Rudi Voller as manager of the German national team. Schaefer, who was in the Ghanaian capital Accra for a Confederation of African Football technical symposium, told BBC Sport he is unaware that he is one of the candidates for the job.
Earlier this week, Franz Beckenbauer, the DFB vice-president and a 1974 World Cup winner, told the German newspaper Bild: « Winni Schaefer is also one of our candidates. »
Schaefer said he was proud that Beckenbauer would mention him in such high esteem but refused to be drawn into whether he will consider leaving Cameroon.
« I am proud that Franz Beckenbauer, who is a real hero, told journalists I am a good coach, » Schaefer said.
« I am happy about that but after five weeks of hard work in Cameroon, I am just going home to Germany for a holiday. »
Schaefer’s contract with the Indomitable Lions runs until after the 2006 World Cup but he has had a turbulent relationship with Cameroon’s football authorities.
The German coach once accused them of ‘lacking organisation and honesty’.
Schaefer led Cameroon to the African Cup of Nations title in 2002 and to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea the same year.
The search for a manager to lead the German national team was reopened after former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld turned the post down.
By Michael oti Adjei – BBC Sport, Accra
