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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 29, 2010

Soccer: ESPN hires Klinsmann as World Cup analyst


Associated Press

BRISTOL, Conn. — German soccer great Juergen Klinsmann is joining ESPN as an analyst for the World Cup.

A star striker for his country when it won the 1990 championship, Klinsmann also coached his nation to third place four years ago in Germany. He will be a studio analyst on ESPN and ABC for the tournament, which runs from June 11-July 11.

Also hired by ESPN are former South African national team player Shaun Bartlett, who played in the 1998 World Cup, and Robbie Mustoe, Middlesbrough's longest-serving player.

They join previously announced analysts Ruud Gullit, John Harkes, Alexi Lalas, Efan Ekoku and Steve McManaman.

Klinsmann will appear on prematch, halftime and postgame shows from South Africa, and on "SportsCenter."

Klinsmann was the first player to score at least three goals in three World Cups, 1990, '94 and '98. He remains Germany's second-leading World Cup goal scorer with 11.

"Very few people in the world possess the firsthand knowledge and experience of playing and coaching in a FIFA World Cup match, and Juergen is one of them," said Jed Drake, ESPN executive producer for the World Cup.

Added Klinsmann: "I hope that I can give American viewers insight into the world's greatest game. Living in the U.S. for more than 10 years, I've seen soccer grow incrementally, and I think ESPN's coverage of this exciting World Cup will take it to a new level."