Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday he was ready to come to the rescue of the Germany team in a role yet to be determined.

The former Germany captain is widely expected to take over from Rudi Voeller, who resigned as the national team coach last month after the side failed to survive the group stage of Euro 2004.

However, Klinsmann, who has been in talks with German Football Association (DFB) officials since Tuesday, said it was too early to call him the next Germany coach.

"I have said I am ready to be on board in one function or another but it all has to fit," the former Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur striker told a news conference in Los Angeles.

"The discussions are still taking place and therefore we shall have to wait for the next few days to see what will happen."

The former Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur striker, who lifted the World Cup with Germany in 1990, will probably receive some help in his bid to steer the team he once graced out of crisis and prepare them for the 2006 World Cup on home soil.

The DFB said officials from the ruling body had held talks on Thursday with Holger Osieck, who was head coach Franz Beckenbauer's assistant during the 1990 World Cup-winning campaign, and former Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff.

The news gave weight to a report in Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily, which suggested that Klinsmann would be team chief, Osieck assistant coach and Bierhoff team manager.

NO EXPERIENCE

"I think there has to be a structural change," said Klinsmann. "There has to be a manager for the team, like there is in a club.

"We have to reconsider the whole environment."

The 39-year-old, who played 108 times for Germany, has been involved in sports marketing since ending his playing career and lives in the United States. He has a training licence but no coaching experience.

Osieck, who not only assisted Beckenbauer but also coached Canada and worked for FIFA, could provide technical expertise while the friendly and approachable Bierhoff would be perfect for public relations.

"We are doing all we can to propose a satisfying solution," said DFB spokesman Harald Stenger. "We have taken the first steps and hope to come to a positive conclusion in the next few days."

Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and Otto Rehhagel, who guided Greece to their Euro 2004 triumph, were offered the Germany job but both have turned it down.

Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who guided South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, and Denmark coach Morten Olsen were regarded as the favourites until Klinsmann's name was brought up.

With a friendly against Austria next month coming up and no time to waste before the 2006 World Cup, the DFB need to find a solution quickly.