Kevin-Prince Boateng set soccer on a path toward tougher sanctions in cases of discrimination when he walked off the field to protest racial abuse by an opposing team’s fans a decade ago.

Germany's collapse at the World Cup in Russia the following month meant the final act of Löw's long tenure would be a rebuild. Germany's showing in Russia was its worst World Cup campaign since 1938, and there's been more unwanted history since. Losing to North Macedonia ended a 20-year, 35-game unbeaten run for the national team in World Cup qualifying. AdInjuries have played their part, too, leading Löw to use defensive midfielder Emre Can at left back and right back in successive World Cup qualifiers. Löw has done some useful groundwork for his successor, like persuading 18-year-old Bayern forward Jamal Musiala to choose Germany over England.

Germany's Leon Goretzka, Niklas Suele and Matthias Ginter, from left, react following the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Spain and Germany in Seville, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. Spain won the match 6-0. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti)BERLIN – Germany’s 6-0 thrashing had been coming for some time. Löw was supposed to reinvigorate the squad with fresh young talent after Germany’s woeful World Cup showing in 2018. “The trust in Joachim Löw is still there, absolutely," Germany team director Oliver Bierhoff said.