Lothar Matthäus was a fierce competitor and one of the world's best soccer players in playing at five World Cups - captaining West Germany to the 1990 title - and four European Championships - winning Euro1980 - as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder and later as sweeper.
Early Success in Germany, Italy
Matthäus kicked off his professional career with former Bundesliga giant Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1979, playing there until 1984. He then moved to Bayern Munich and between 1984 and 1988 won the Bundesliga title twice and one German Cup crown. Matthäus also guided Bayern to the 1987 European Cup final, losing 2-1 on two late goals by FC Porto.
Matthäus's next stop was Italy and Inter Milan, with whom he won the 1989 Serie A crown and the Italian Supercup in his first season with the club. The Erlangen native later helped Inter to the 1991 UEFA Cup title and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year.
Another Bayern Champions League Disappointment
The German superstar returned to Germany in 1992 and four four Bundesliga titles, two German Cup crowns and an UEFA Cup championship. But his eight-year stint back at Bayern was highlighted by the lowlight of losing another Champions League final - as Manchester United scored two goals in injury time to beat Bayern 2-1 and win the 1999 title.
The following season, Matthäus went to the United States to play for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer. But his time there was not very successful and he retired from club play in 2000.
Success for Germany
Matthäus's international career ended with a record 150 appearances for Germany and was highlighted with the 1990 World Cup title and the 1980 European crown. At Euro1988 he led Germany to the semifinals. He also played a total of five World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998) and four Euros (1980, 1984, 1988 and 2000). His 25 World Cup matches is a record as well.
Move To Coaching Sidelines
The next move for Matthäus was to the sidelines as a coach. And he had a mixed bag of results. He started at Rapid Vienna in Austria then moved to Serbian side FK Partizan, with whom he won the 2002-03 domestic title. The next season he helped Partizan upset Newcastle United in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Hungarian National Team Coach
In December 2003, Matthäus left Partizan to become head coach of the Hungarian national team. His goal was to bring the former soccer superpower to the 2006 World Cup. But Hungary failed to advance from a group which included Sweden, Croatia and Bulgaria. And Matthäus left after the campaign.
Short Stop In Brazil, Return to Austria, And Now Israel
Matthäus's unspectacular coaching career continued with a seven-match tenure at Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense. Then he was hired as head coach at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg and helped the team to the 2006-07 title along with Giovanni Trapattoni as director of football.
But Matthäus was sacked after the season and in April 2008 was signed on to coach Israeli coach Maccabi Netanya for the 2008-09 season.
