Vogts to advise US World Cup squad

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann has appointed former Germany manager Berti Vogts to be a special advisor to his team for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, the US Soccer Federation announced on Sunday. The two men have a close relationship, with Vogts having been in charge of the German side, including Klinsmann, which won the Euro 1996 title in England. That was the last major trophy won by Germany. “We are absolutely thrilled to have Berti join us as an advisor,” Klinsmann told the federation’s website. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a player and a coach, and he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. “He was my coach for Germany in the 1990s and we have a great relationship. “Through his time as the head coach of Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan, he is obviously very familiar with our opponents in the group stage of the World Cup, and for us this is a huge bonus.” Vogts has been brought in to aid in the development of training plans, help prepare scouting reports, and travel to observe matches involving group rivals Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Known for his terrier-like defending at full-back, Vogts won 96 caps for Germany, playing a total of 19 matches spanning three World Cups, including the 1974 edition when the Germans defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in the final in Munich. In addition to the European title in 1996, Vogts had a second-place finish in the 1992 European Championship and led Germany to the quarter-finals in consecutive World Cups in 1994 and 1998. Having coached the national teams of Scotland (2002-04) and Nigeria (2007-08), he has served as the manager for Azerbaijan since April of 2008 and will continue in that role.