Franz Beckenbauer, head of the 2006 World Cup Organising Committee, has criticised Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann after he failed to attend the World Cup coaches workshop.

Klinsmann elected to stay at his home in the United States rather than attend the seminar.

“Jurgen Klinsmann should have been here. This is a meeting he had to make and there are not too many of them,” Beckenbauer said.

“Of course he can go to the United States to see his family but he needs to spend most of his time here in Germany ahead of the World Cup.

“I do not know how many times I have spoken with him about it but clearly there is no point. If he can handle the criticism then fine.”

Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner both as a player and a coach, has criticised Klinsmann for his decision to continue flying back to his Californian home.

Last Wednesday Germany lost 4-1 to Italy in Florence and the German media came down hard on Klinsmann.

“After the 4-1 in Italy it was necessary for him to be here to pick up the pieces,” Beckenbauer said.

“If he sees it differently then he must live with the criticism.”

Despite Germany’s indifferent results Beckenbauer believes home advantage could be the key for the three-time World Cup winners.

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