Exclusive Interview with german legend Lothar Matthaus
His Excellency Lothar Matthaus talks about Olympiacos and Arsenal and many other interesting topics
Lothar Matthaus, an iconic figure in world football, with a career spanning more than two decades full of titles and personal distinctions, remains an active ambassador of the sport to this day. From his early days in Germany to his peak moments with Gladbach, Inter, Bayern Munich, Metrostars and the national team of his country, where he lifted both the European Championship (1990) and the World Cup (1990), while also winning the Ballon d'Or, the noblest and most important individual award in the world. Matthaus embodied the concept of a leader on the pitch. After his rich coaching career, as well as his involvement in journalism and television analysis, he continues to transmit his experience and passion for football. Today, as the official Brand Ambassador of Interwetten, he visited Greece and on the sidelines of his presence he spoke to Manos Staramopoulos and Discoveryfootball.com about many interesting topics:
Ladies and gentlemen, Lothar Matthaus
DF: His first answer, however, surprised us with his spontaneity and the immediate answer without thinking about it, what he knows about Olympiacos.
"What I know is that Olympiacos is the Bayern of Greece and a great club with amazing people who have a great influence on the team. It is a club with successes in Europe as well"
DF: Next week, Olympiacos plays in London against Arsenal, what can you say
"All the games for the Champions League are great and we see spectacle and many goals from the start. They are both good teams and will be able to present a nice spectacle to the world”
DF: When did PAOK approach him to take over his team
“I have been in contact with a Greek team twice. 20 years ago with PAOK, more as a coach. I heard the proposal I had, I thought about it, but it was more in the context of what I had as a coach”.
DF: Which German coach would you suggest to Giannis Alafouzos for the technical leadership of Panathinaikos and why aren’t your compatriots coming?
“I don’t know why Germans aren’t coming, ask the Federation. But I know that one came and became God, Otto Rehhagel. Beyond that, there are three good, successful and experienced coaches. Do they want to come to Greece? If I were the president of Panathinaikos and had to choose, I would go for Marco Rose. Because I know him personally and I am excited about his work. All three are from the Red Bull family and this means that they play dynamic and aggressive football. However, even though Panathinaikos has only taken two points, they have to keep their cool, they can only do better”.
DF:Several Greek footballers play in Germany. Who has he watched or stood out?
“I really like the right-back of St. Pauli, Manolis Saliakas. He has great energy, he is an explosive and strong footballer..”
"The best of all is Pelé"
DF: Who do you consider to be the best footballer of all time?
“For me, the best footballer of all time is PELE. Diego Maradona was certainly amazing, and I faced him several times, most recently in the 1990 World Cup, when we won 1-0 with Andreas Brehme's well-aimed penalty kick. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. I must say that I have a pair of Maradona's shoes at home that we exchanged in Italy in 1990, and they even have a different way of lacing.. "
DF: Is there a possibility that you will get involved in politics, as the popularity and esteem that German fans have for you give you some important air?
'No, I grew up with football and that's what I'm tied to. And I'll stay here".
DF: In the 1999 final in Barcelona, if you hadn't been substituted, could Bayern Munich have maintained their victory and also won the UEFA Champions League trophy?
"Nothing is possible with assumptions. Manchester United managed to turn the game around and win the trophy."
DF: Which position do you think suited you better, the No. 10 in midfield or the other libero position you played later?
"With the No. 10 on my back and playing in the center, I had the opponent's goal in front of me and I had to help or score. Playing libero I had to make sure to maintain my defense as best as possible.
Unique "Kaiser"
DF: What does Franz Beckenbauer mean to Germany?
"A top footballer. The best that ever existed. A great personality and for a while my coach and mentor, just like Günter Netzer.."
DF: On Monday we were together in Paris for the awarding of the "Golden Ball". Did the Frenchman, Ousmane Dembele, rightly win the biggest individual prize?
"Very rightly. He contributed greatly to his team Paris Saint-Germain winning the UEFA Champions League.."
DF: Musiala could be the new leader of national team of Germany and Bayern Munich?
"Sure. We just hope he can quickly overcome his injury and return to competitive action. The national team needs him to help them qualify for the final phase of the World Cup.."
DF: What is happening with the federal coach, Julian Nagelsmann and the results of the national team are not as expected?
"There are good footballers like Musiala, Wirtz who plays for Liverpool and others. But Nagelsmann will have to decide which tactic to use, 3-5-2 or 4-3-3. In Germany, most teams rely on the 4 in defense. Xabi Alonso had differentiated the tactics of Bayer Leverkusen and led them to win the championship.."
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece)
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