Joachim Low signs Germany contract extension until 2018

Low joined the Nationalmannschaft as Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant in 2004 and took over from the current US national team head coach in 2006.

In all four major competitions since Low took the reins, Germany have at least reached the semifinal stage, crowning his career in the summer of 2014 in Brazil by leading the side to their first World Cup triumph since 1990 by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.

The 55-year-old Bundestrainer said via the DFB's official website that he believes his side -- currently top of the FIFA world ranking despite their indifferent form since winning their fourth world title -- can get even better over the course of the next two major tournaments.

"I have said several times that is an incredibly huge challenge and motivation to confirm our success in Brazil," he said.

"Our young team has not reached the end of its development, and the same is true for most our players."

The DFB also handed new contracts until 2018 to assistant coach Thomas Schneider and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke.

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff also signed a fresh deal and in addition will now take charge of the setup and launch of the DFB-Akademie, the association's new academy in Frankfurt.

"I am delighted that Low will remain the Bundestrainer until 2018," DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach said, and added that the goal for the upcoming years is to "remain one of the top nations."