Jurgen: Owen must become a Euro great

"It is going to be really fascinating because you have so many individual great talents that you are just curious to see who is going to be the leader in their side and make the difference."

Klinsmann, who lives in California, can look back at a career during which he delivered the goods in the world spotlight. A star of Germany's World Cup-winning team at Italia 90, he went on to compete in two European Championship finals, when Germany lost to Denmark in 1992 and triumphed, under Klinsmann's captaincy, at Wembley four years later.

He is well aware there is a fine line between success and disappointment. Owen's career has already been upset by nagging hamstring problems and Klinsmann said: "The base of everything is your physical condition. You have to be 100 per cent fit.

"You look back to Zinedine Zidane or Rui Costa and Figo at the World Cup. They were not 100 per cent fit and then you have no chance. Everything has to match perfectly in the team and in the coaching staff. I am really looking forward to watching these games because it is going to be a mind game. I am curious to see who is going to be the most hungry of those guys."

Klinsmann believes Nedved, of Juventus, could be a real star in Portugal because of his determination and energy. Interestingly, he tips Nedved's in-form Czech Republic team to win the tournament.

As for England's task against reigning champions France, Croatia-and Switzerland in the group stage, the German said: "The French side have the advantage that they have been there already. Zidane and those guys have won a World Cup and a European Championship and they know how to switch gear and go to the next level.

"The England side have to prove that still. So from an experience point of view that might be an advantage for the French. But once you are on the field, it really doesn't matter any more."

Sven- Goran Eriksson and France coach Jacques Santini are worried that tiredness could affect the players at the end of the domestic seasons.

But Klinsmann said: "You are not tired when you approach a tournament like that - mentally absolutely not. You need, for sure, no injuries.

"But if you don't have that problem, then you just want to play. You are greedy. You can't wait."

Klinsmann still looks out for Tottenham's results every Saturday but he has ruled out taking a coaching job in Europe because he does not want to uproot his young family.

He said: "I follow what is going on and I am in touch with Gary Mabbutt and once in a while with Daniel Levy. At the end of the day I look at it like a fan. I suffer when they lose and am happy when they win."

Klinsmann is also working as a football ambassador for Euro 2004 sponsors Mastercard. Asked about taking a managerial job, he said: "For us it was a family decision to move to California. The kids are so small now that I don't want to take them out of their routine.

"I found a fulfilling job which allows me to create my own schedule. I don't want to go back into the schedule of a club team or national team because they would control my schedule again.

"When calls come in from Europe from big clubs or national federations, it's fascinating at first but the family is just far more important."