Lothar Matthaeus

[jsbach]

Vogts advises Matthaeus not to move to MetroStars
December 10, 1999
BERLIN -- Former Germany head coach Berti Vogts has advised veteran
Lothar Matthaeus not to move to the U.S. Major League Soccer club New
York/New Jersey MetroStars.

Matthaeus should instead stay with Bayern Munich until the end of the
season and then end his career after next year's European championship
finals in Belgium and the Netherlands, Vogts told weekly Sport Bild in an
interview released on Wednesday.

Matthaeus, 38, was quoted as saying last week that he might delay his move
to the MetroStars, planned for next March, until the end of the season if
Bayern and the New York club could agree on a late transfer.

"Matthaeus plays for a leading European side," Vogts said. "He should stay
where he is and then, in the summer, end his career at the age of 39. Bayern
is where Matthaeus belongs, like it was for a Franz Beckenbauer or a
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge."

German coach Erich Ribbeck has said he plans to include Matthaeus, who
has amassed a world record-equalling 143 caps, in his Euro 2000 squad.
*****************************

Vogts kind of puts his foot in his mouth with that last statement. Franz Beckenbauer finished out his career playing for the New York Cosmos from 1977-1980, and 1983.




[This message has been edited by jsbach (edited 12-11-1999).]

 

[AJAX supporter]

I am aware the MLS gives big paychecks out, but Matthaus is already very wealthy I guess since his proffesional career is so long, so why on earth would anyone want to play in the MLS?. It's not even a fraction of quality compared to the Bundesliga.

 

[jsbach]

Why would he want to play in MLS? That's easy. BECAUSE, as you said... the MLS is not the Bundesliga!
He's had a long career as a star in Europe... and while like most players, he loves the game, he probably wants a private life too. Playing in the MLS will give him a chance to play the game he loves professionally, in a warmer climate (MLS plays in spring and summer, not fall and winter.). He will no longer have to live the life as a huge Bayern Munich celebrity.
Being that pro soccer is what I'd call a second tier pro sport here in the USA, he'd have a much more relaxed public and life. The press won't be following every step he or anyone in his family makes.
The MLS is full of a lot of quality young talent, and it's growing. It's just young... but for a veteran like him, he'll automatically be a mentor figure.
I can see a lot of attractions for star players near the ends of their careers.

I'm not so sure money has much to do with it.
MLS teams have very low, league controlled salary caps.

 

[AJAX supporter]

And there it goes, end of their careers, when their beat and play like crap in Europe they'll go to the MLS, cause they'll be considered wolrd class in the MLS.