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Jurgen Klinsmann is in talks with the Football Association after becoming clear favourite for the England job.

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff revealed his close pal and former team mate Klinsmann has had “discussions” with the FA about taking charge.

Klinsmann, 51, is already the bookies’ favourite and Mirror Sport understands the FA have got him on their shortlist as he fits the criteria of both speaking English and also knowing the Premier League.

The former Germany boss, currently in charge of the US national team, is known to be keen and Bierhoff confirmed talks have taken place and says his fellow countryman would be a “good fit.”

Bierhoff said: “I think he is in discussion with England. He also gave the German national team a certain pride, atmosphere and organisation.

(Image: Otto Greule Jr)

“The success of the German story is the high quality but also the good organisation and good atmosphere we have in the group.

“He would be a good fit for England. We started in 2004 together and he’s not always, how can I say…nice to handle because he wants to change.

“But he brings motivation, he has the courage to make difficult decisions and perhaps you need something like this.”

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It would be an incredible appointment as Klinsmann is one of Germany’s most famous ever players and starred in Euro 96 alongside Bierhoff when they knocked out England at Wembley.

Former Tottenham striker Klinsmann admits he still loves English football but having played for England’s greatest football rivals the appointment would cause much debate about giving the job not just to a foreigner but a German.

He took over Germany after a disastrous Euro 2004 (their second in a row), overhauled the whole set-up, promoted young players and led them to the semi finals of the World Cup two years later.

That is exactly what the FA’s head hunters - made up of Martin Glenn, Dan Ashworth and David Gill - are looking for in Roy Hodgson’s successor.

(Image: Lars Baron)

Former Germany striker Bierhoff, who played with Klinsmann at Euro 96, said: “Since the arrival of Jurgen Klinsmann, German football stands up to quite a good level.

“It’s not like putting the hand on the shoulder and everything happens. A lot of things come together.

“When we failed in 2000 we invested a lot in the infrastructure and the education of young players and coaches, so now we have a lot of talented players, we have a good infrastructure and the Bundesliga is investing in young players.

(Image: Scott Halleran)

“Perhaps it is an advantage that good players go to England and other countries, so clubs have to bring other players through.

“Pressure in the big football countries is always high. We come from a successful story. Since 2006 we’ve been among the last four every time and losing this time against the hosts, France, isn’t so bad.

“I don’t think there will be too many critics, I think we will analyse all the things, why we didn’t go through to the end.

“We have a lot of young, talented players. We stick to the plan and it went well. We dominated the French team but in these games small things decide the games.

“In 2012 we lost to Italy who weren’t better than us but we made two errors and you pay for it. Unfortunately in this game there was the penalty and the second goal. We gave away the match. But we are very happy with the way it has gone.”