Despite thousands of fans chanting his name and former critic Franz Beckenbauer pleading with him to continue, Juergen Klinsmann will take more time to decide whether to stay on as Germany coach.

"The 'Kaiser' said 'you'd better keep going'," Klinsmann said after last night's third placed 3-1 victory over Portugal. "I told him 'let's wait and see what happens'.

"But seriously, I'm delighted that he holds our work in such high esteem. Those words came from his heart. To get such a compliment like that from Franz Beckenbauer, it's a special moment."

Klinsmann had faced criticism for his training methods, reliance on US fitness trainers and a Swiss scout, use of a team psychologist and attacking tactics.

Now all the critics and the whole nation want him to stay but he wants more time to make up his mind.

"I've got to let all this sink in," he said. "A lot, a lot has happened in the last two years. I need to come to terms with it. I just need some more time to think about it."

Even Fifa President Sepp Blatter believes Klinsmann should stay on.

"I hope that he'll stay longer, they've achieved something here," he said. "With their beautiful and attacking style, they've done something for football."