• Head coach produces ‘get out of work letter’ for employees • ‘Productivity may go down but it’s for an important cause’

Jürgen Klinsmann has offered help to millions of Americans hoping to watch the USA’s World Cup match against Germany on Thursday by issuing a personalised “get out of work letter” signed by the manager himself.

Klinsmann has tweeted the “get out of work letter” for use by football fans who are angling for a couple of hours free time to catch the crucial Group G match, which will be played at midday eastern time and screened on national TV.

The note, which can be printed out and filled in individually, urges employers to excuse supporters from work on Thursday. “I understand that this absence may reduce the productivity of your workplace but I can assure you that it is for an important cause,” it adds. Klinsmann’s letter also urges line managers to take time off to watch the game themselves.

The United States National Soccer Teams website is publicising the note and has a reserve plan for those whose Klinsmann-aided request for time off is still turned down. “You can just do what most of us will do: play hooky,” it suggests.

Although light-hearted in character, Klinsmann’s ploy seems to have a serious purpose behind it as American interest in the World Cup reaches unprecedented levels. The team’s win over Ghana attracted the biggest ever US television audience for a football match - 16 million – and the subsequent draw with Portugal topped that at almost 25 million viewers. If employers heed Klinsmann’s request before the Germany match in Recife then the figures are expected to hit even greater heights.