Lothar Herbert Matthaus is a German former footballer and now manajer, last managing Israeli club Maccabi Netanya. He was born 21 March 1961 in Erlangen, West Germany.
He won Euro 1980, and played in Euro 84, Euro 88, and Euro 1992. Maradona said about Matthaus, "he is very best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him" in his book Yo soy el Diego (I am the Diego).
Internationally, he won Euro 80 and also played 2 games at the 1982 World Cup, where West Germany reached the Final, losing to Italy 3-1. His immediate success in Serie A was a precursor to the national team which finally managed to triumph at the 1990 World Cup held In Italy. At the 1994 World Cup hosted by USA, he captained the team but now operated as sweeper. He scored a penalty in the quarter-finals, which was also his record tying 21st match, but the Bulgarians scored twice in three minutes to upset to defending champions. In his absent Germany won Euro 96 which was hosted by England. He became the second and tothis day he last player to appear on 5 different WorldCups, trying the record of Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal, and also setting a new record for World Cup game appearances with 22. His last official match for Bayern took place in Munich on 8 March 2000 and was a Champions League match against Real Madrid, which Bayern won 4-1.
His first job head coaching experience was at Rapid Vienna. On saturday 13 December 2003, right after finishing the final league match of the half season (0-1 win away at FK Zeleznik) before the winter break, Matthaus abruptly resigned his post at Partizan by addressing the players and club leadership in private. He apparently told them that he's doing so for personal reasons. Then the rumours proved true as he officially signed the contract in Budapest and also got introduced to the media gathered at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus.
It became known on that occasion that his initial contract with Partizan that was finalized on 1 January 2003 included a base guaranteed part as well additional premium clauses giving him etween 5-10% from players transfers and shirt sponsorships (as well as champions League Bonus incentives).
After being drawn in a tough group with Sweden, Croatia and Bulgaria that goal locked increasingly difficult. Such improbable scenario failed to materialize and they ended up in fourth place with 14 points from 10 matches, well behind Croatia and Sweden who earned 25 and 24 points, respectively. The club even posted the bill on their website.
On 19 May 2006, only 2 months following the bizzare Brazilian episode, Matthaus was announced as coach of Red Bull Salzburg (formerly Austria Salzburg) for the upcoming 2006-07 season.
On 13 april 2008, it was announced that Matthaus signed with Israeli side Maccabi to coach the club from the beginning of the 2008-09 season. Matthaus said German clubs perceived him as being too much of a Bayern supporter and too closely linked with the influental Bild tabloid newspaper to give him a job.
His marriage ended in 1999. He then marry again, the ceremony was held in Las Vegas.
