Steffi Jones unveiled as coach of Germany's women

The 43-year-old Jones was officially unveiled at a press conference in Frankfurt on Wednesday. She used the platform to speak about her ambitious plans to take Germany forward following Neid's retirement after 11 years at the helm.

"If we're going to do something, we'll do it right," Jones aid." And that's why we want the title at the European championship next year."

The former midfielder made 111 appearances for Germany but has no previous coaching experience. She conceded that she had big shoes to fill, but said she was convinced that she was up to the task.

"I know what I capable of and I would not have taken the job if I thought I couldn't have done it," she said. "For me, it's a dream job. I don't want to follow in Silvia's footsteps, but successfully continue her work with my own signature as Steffi Jones," she said.

Neid's record as coach of the national team is impressive, having led Germany to victory at the 2007 women's World Cup, as well as the 2009 and 2013 European championships, before winning the gold medal at the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro last weekend.

Jones' first tests as head coach will come next month when Germany face Russia and Hungary in qualifying for next year's European championship in the Netherlands.

As the daughter of a German mother and US soldier, Jones, who grew up in Frankfurt, is a citizen of both countries.

pfd/ (SID, dpa)