Our penultimate look at the coaches in each group at the World Cup sees some interesting fixtures thrown up, including a German legend plotting the downfall of his homeland.
Germany
Manager: Joachim Low
Age: 54
German boss Joachim Low looks thoughtful ahead of the World Cup
Low was a professional footballer for over 20 years before becoming a manager in 1994. He played four games for the Germany Under-21 team, however never managed to break into the senior side. He has been in charge of Germany since 2006.
Previous jobs: FC Frauenfeld (1994-95), VFB Stuttgart (1996-98), Fenerbache (1998-99), Karlsruher SC (1999-00), Adanaspor (2001), FC Tirol Innsbruck (2001-02), FK Austria Wien (2003-04), Germany (assistant manager 2004-06).
Killer fact: In 2011, Low moved to quash rumours that he wore a toupee, claiming that his hair was completely natural.
Portugal
Manager: Paulo Bento
Age: 44
Bento, whose playing and managing years were spent mostly on home soil, succeeded Carlos Queiroz in 2010. During a 10-year spell as a defensive midfielder for Portugal, Bento managed 35 caps, but scored no goals.
Paulo Bento was a regular for Portugal before taking over as coach
Previous jobs: Sporting CP (2005-09).
Killer fact: He was dubbed "Papa-Taças" (roughly translated as "cup-eater") for his trophy-winning prowess as a player.
United States
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Age: 49
Klinsmann was part of the victorious West Germany team at the 1990 World Cup. He was a prolific striker during his career, scoring 38 goals for the unified Germany. The 49-year-old also coached his country to the World Cup quarter finals at the 2006 tournament.
Previous jobs: Germany (2004-06), Bayern Munich (2008-09).
Killer fact: Klinsmann's family owns a bakery in Stuttgart and he completed a baking apprenticeship before becoming a coach.
Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah is a former captain of the Black Stars
Ghana
Manager: James Kwesi Appiah
Age: 53
A former Ghana captain, Akwesi Appiah represented his country for 15 years before becoming assistant manager in 2007. He was given the manager’s job in 2012 and led them to qualification for the World Cup by defeating Egypt in a play-off.
Previous jobs: Ghana U23 (2011).
Killer fact: Kwesi Appiah is the first black African manager to take Ghana to a World Cup.
