"The position of the national coach has become extremely dependent on success over the past years. Everyone thinks only from tournament to tournament," said Ballack in an interview with daily Die Welt.

Ballack said that Klinsmann had motivated a very young team which was missing the big-name talents of previous campaigns.

"A team, which has a lot of scope to develop and which has been rightfully forecast a bright future, has been found," said Ballack. "I would be pleased if he continued because I think it would be great for German soccer."

IMPORTANT FACTOR

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Ballack, whom German media earlier suggested had fallen out with Klinsmann over tactics, added that the team's success at the World Cup would also be an important factor.

Based for much of the run-up to the World Cup in California with his family, Klinsmann had been criticised and questioned by the German media and even former German player and coach Franz Beckenbauer before the tournament.

Klinsmann has said success was his yardstick but if the Germans had a good run he could imagine hanging on to his job for another two to four years.