Joachim Low: 'German coaching has paid off'

Germany coach Joachim Low has said that the nation's World Cup win is the product of the sweeping changes that were made to their coaching structure a decade ago.

The German Football Association introduced a new youth development programme which came into effect following the national team's group-stage exit at Euro 2004.

"In 2000 and 2004, German football was down and out, we went out in the group phases so we took decisive steps and invested more in the players education," BBC Sport quotes him as saying.

"It wasn't enough just to rely on German virtues, we had to get better on the pitch.

"We created centres of excellence and I am grateful for the clubs who did that, this World Cup victory is a product of the excellent education and training in Germany."

Germany won the World Cup for the fourth time on Sunday evening after beating Argentina in the final at the Maracana.