Jones to replace Neid as Germany womens coach

Silvia Neid will step down as the highly-successful coach of Germany's women's side in 2016 to be replaced by ex-international Steffi Jones, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Monday. Under Neid's stewardship, Germany lifted the 2007 World Cup title and won the European Championships in 2009 and 2013. The Germans are amongst the favourites to win this year's World Cup in Canada from June 6 to July 5 with Neid at the helm. The 50-year-old will then become head of the DFB's newly-created womens scouting department in September 2016. "This decision has been at the back of my mind for a long time," said Neid. "I didn't want to retire and I wanted to start something new." The announcement of her replacement is a surprise as Jones, who made 111 international appearances before retiring in 2007, has never previously coached a team, but the 42-year-old has been promoted having earned her coaching licence in 2007. Jones was president of the organisation committee when Germany hosted the 2011 Women's World Cup and currently works as the DFB's director of womens and girls football. "As the DFB's director in the last few years, Steffi Jones has been closely involved with football," said DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach. "We are convinced that she is the right successor for the role."