Klinsmann to coach Bayern Munich

German football star Juergen Klinsmann said on Friday he felt honoured to be asked to coach Bayern Munich and made a quick decision to accept the job at what he called one of the top clubs in the world.

Juergen Klinsmann faces the media next to the club's logo at a press conference in Munich, southern Germany, Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher)

The 43-year-old guided Germany to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup, but hasn't coached since he quit that job.

He turned down an offer to coach the United States, and has been linked to various other coaching positions, including at Liverpool of the English Premiership.

But once the Bayern offer came in it didn't take him long to make up his mind. Klinsmann played for Bayern Munich between 1995 and 1997, but was not believed to have a close relationship with Bayern's management.

He will replace Ottmar Hitzfeld on July 1 on a two-year contract.

Juergen Klinsmann, said, "It's definitely a huge and honour and pleasure to have the opportunity to coach Bayern Munich. It's the number one club in this country and it's a privilege to be the coach here and I'm looking forward to it. I had other options as well but this is by far the best opportunity I could get."