German soccer great Juergen Klinsmann wants to bring a different perspective to commentary on ESPN.
The network hired him Thursday as an analyst for the World Cup.
A star striker for his country when it won the 1990 championship, Klinsmann also coached his nation to third place four years ago in Germany. He will be a studio analyst on ESPN and ABC for the tournament, which runs from June 11-July 11.
``What I can bring to the table in analyzing games and talking is to make people understand what goes on on a soccer field actually reflects a nation,'' he said. ``I'd like to tell people why they're playing a certain way, what's in the back of their mind. It all goes back to roots of where they grew up and how they identify with their own nation.
``I think I can add quite a bit to certain background information. How you read games, how you explain certain things that happen because of the backgrounds people have.''
Klinsmann will appear on prematch, halftime and postgame shows from South Africa, and on ``SportsCenter.''
Klinsmann was the first player to score at least three goals in three World Cups: 1990, '94 and '98. He remains Germany's second-leading World Cup goal scorer with 11.
But it's his drawing on vast experiences in all levels of the sport that he believes will educate and entertain the audiences.
``Obviously in any other profession you constantly learn, and that is what I did over my playing career,'' Klinsmann said. ``Learning languages and cultures and about their backgrounds and learning how to read people. Then moving over here to California, obviously I got to know the U.S. a lot better: the people, cultural backgrounds, their understanding of soccer and the growing interest.
``I think throughout all these different chapters - TV analyst, coach, player - you constantly learn about people. The World Cup is a lot about the background of certain countries. These countries and the teams and how they represent the countries in terms of playing philosophy ... emotions, how they deal with the pressure. It really helps me that I lived in so many different places.''
Klinsmann said he has an interest in returning to coaching.
``After my experience with Bayern Munich, I wanted to give myself a break for a year for the World Cup,'' he said. ``Then we will see if there is a way back into coaching again; it could easily be the case.''
Also hired by ESPN are former South African national team player Shaun Bartlett, who played in the 1998 World Cup, and Robbie Mustoe, Middlesbrough's longest-serving player.
They join previously announced analysts Ruud Gullit, John Harkes, Alexi Lalas, Efan Ekoku and Steve McManaman.
``Very few people in the world possess the firsthand knowledge and experience of playing and coaching in a FIFA World Cup match, and Juergen is one of them,'' said Jed Drake, ESPN executive producer for the World Cup.
Fox Sports also announced its coverage teams for the Champions League final in Madrid on May 22 - the first time a broadcast network has done the final live in the United States.
Former U.S. coach Bruce Arena and star player Eric Wynalda will join host Curt Menefee in studio, while Martin Tyler will handle play by play and Andy Gray the analysis. Tyler is the lead voice for ESPN's World Cup coverage, as well.
