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{{Short description|German football player and manager (born 1961)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lothar Matthäus
| image = 2019 Lothar Matthäus.jpg
| caption = Matthäus in 2019
| full_name = Lothar Herbert Matthäus
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|3|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Erlangen]], West Germany
| height = 1.74 m
| position = [[Midfielder]], [[sweeper (association football)|sweeper]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1971–1979
| youthclubs1 = [[1. FC Herzogenaurach]]
| years1 = 1978–1979
| clubs1 = [[1. FC Herzogenaurach]]
| caps1  = 22
| goals1 = 20
| years2 = 1979–1984
| clubs2 = [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]]
| caps2  = 162
| goals2 = 36
| years3 = 1984–1988
| clubs3 = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
| caps3  = 113
| goals3 = 57
| years4 = 1988–1992
| clubs4 = [[Inter Milan]]
| caps4  = 115
| goals4 = 40
| years5 = 1992–2000
| clubs5 = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
| caps5  = 189
| goals5 = 28
| years6 = 2000
| clubs6 = [[New York Red Bulls|MetroStars]]
| caps6  = 16
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2018
| clubs7 = [[1. FC Herzogenaurach]]
| caps7  = 1
| goals7 = 0
| totalcaps = 618
| totalgoals = 181
| nationalyears1 = 1979
| nationalteam1  = [[Germany national under-18 football team|West Germany U18]]
| nationalcaps1  = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| nationalyears2 = 1979–1983
| nationalteam2  = [[Germany national under-21 football team|West Germany U21]]
| nationalcaps2  = 15
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalteam3  = [[Germany national football B team|West Germany B]]
| nationalyears3 = 1979–1981
| nationalcaps3  = 4
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalteam4  = [[Germany national football team|West Germany/Germany]]
| nationalyears4 = 1980–2000
| nationalcaps4  = 150
| nationalgoals4 = 23
| manageryears1  = 2001–2002
| managerclubs1  = [[SK Rapid Wien|Rapid Wien]]
| manageryears2  = 2002–2003
| managerclubs2  = [[FK Partizan|Partizan]]
| manageryears3  = 2003–2006
| managerclubs3  = [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]]
| manageryears4  = 2006
| managerclubs4  = [[Clube Atlético Paranaense|Atlético Paranaense]]
| manageryears5  = 2006–2007
| managerclubs5  = [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]] (assistant)
| manageryears6  = 2008–2009
| managerclubs6  = [[Maccabi Netanya]]
| manageryears7  = 2010–2011
| managerclubs7  = [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]]
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|FRG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 Italy]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 Spain]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 Mexico]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[UEFA Euro 1980|1980 Italy]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[UEFA Euro 1988|1988 West Germany]]|}}
}}
'''Lothar Herbert Matthäus''' ({{IPA|de|ˈloːtaʁ maˈtɛːʊs|-|De-Lothar Matthäus.ogg}};<ref>{{cite book|last1=Krech|first1=Eva-Maria|last2=Stock|first2=Eberhard|last3=Hirschfeld|first3=Ursula|last4=Anders|first4=Lutz Christian|title=Deutsches Aussprachewörterbuch|trans-title=German Pronunciation Dictionary|language=de|year=2009|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3-11-018202-6|pages=709, 731}}</ref> born 21 March 1961) is a German [[association football|football]] [[pundit]] and former professional player and manager. He captained [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] to victory in the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]] and was awarded the [[Ballon d'Or]]. In 1991, he was named the first [[FIFA World Player of the Year]], and remains the only German to have received the award. He was also included in the [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team#First Team|Ballon d'Or Dream Team]] in 2020.

Matthäus was the first outfield player, and second overall after [[Antonio Carbajal]], to appear at five [[FIFA World Cup]]s ([[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]], [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]] and [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]); he remains one of only six male players to have done so, along with [[Antonio Carbajal]], [[Rafael Márquez]], [[Lionel Messi]], [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], and [[Andrés Guardado]]. He also won [[UEFA Euro 1980]], and played in the [[UEFA Euro 1984|1984]], [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]] and [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]] [[UEFA European Championship]]s. In 1999, aged 38, Matthäus was again voted [[Footballer of the Year (Germany)|German Footballer of the Year]], having previously won the award in 1990.

Matthäus is the most [[cap (sport)|capped]] German player of all time, retiring with a total of 150 appearances (83 for West Germany) in 20 years, and 23 goals. Matthäus is a member of the [[FIFA 100]] list of the greatest living football players chosen by [[Pelé]].<ref name="FIFA 100">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=29 May 2014 }}</ref> [[Diego Maradona]] said of Matthäus, "He is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him."<ref>{{cite book | first = Diego Armando | last = Maradona | year = 2006 | title = Yo Soy El Diego | language = es | publisher = Planeta Publishing Corporation}}</ref>

A versatile and complete player, Matthäus is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, and was renowned for his perceptive passing, positional sense and well-timed tackling, as well as his powerful shooting. During his career, he usually played as a [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box midfielder]], although late in his career he played as a [[Defender (Association football)#Sweeper (libero)|sweeper]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/10-greatest-midfielders-in-football-history/10 |title=10 greatest midfielders in football history: #1 Lothar Matthaus |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=[[Sportskeeda]] |first=Ashwin |last=Hanagudu |date=17 September 2016 |access-date=6 November 2018}}</ref>

==Early life==
Lothar Herbert Matthäus was born on 21 March 1961 in [[Erlangen]], [[Bavaria]], West Germany,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/world-player-ranking/lothar-matthaus/ |title=Lothar Matthaus |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=1 April 2022}}</ref> to Heinz (1930–2019) and Katharina (1931–2020) Matthäus. His father, who was born in southern [[Silesia]], fled west across the [[Oder]] during the Soviet invasion in 1944, then worked as a canteen manager, while his mother worked for [[Puma (brand)|Puma]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gala.de/stars/news/lothar-matthaeus--zu-wenig-liebe-von-seinen-eltern--22140402.html |title=Der Ex-Fußballstar schüttet sein Herz aus |website=Gala.de |language=German |date=19 September 2019 }}</ref> He spent his early playing days in the youth team of [[1. FC Herzogenaurach]], located in a small town in Bavaria close to [[Nuremberg]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.zeit.de/2000/10/200010.erinnern_loddar_.xml?page=all | title = Rein fußballerisch betrachtet | first = Heike | last = Faller | work = Die Zeit | date = 2 March 2000 | access-date =1 November 2007 | language = de}}</ref>

==Club career==
Matthäus started his professional career in 1979 with [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]] of the [[Bundesliga]], for whom he played until 1984.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/matthaeusdata.html | title = Lothar Herbert Matthäus - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 21 December 2005 | website = [[RSSSF]] | access-date = 22 March 2019 }}</ref> He then played for [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] from 1984 to 1988, winning the Bundesliga twice and the [[DFB-Pokal]]. They also reached the [[1987 European Cup final|European Cup final in 1987]], leading 1–0 for most of the game until two late goals gave [[FC Porto]] the win.<ref name="Matthäus fifa">{{FIFA|174742}}.</ref>

[[File:Lothar Matthäus 1995.jpg|thumb|upright|Matthäus in 1995]]

Matthäus and Bayern teammate [[Andreas Brehme]] signed with [[Inter Milan]] of [[Serie A]] in 1988, winning the ''Scudetto'' in [[1988–89 Serie A|1988–89]] during their first season, and the [[Italian Supercup]] that year as well. Matthäus continued to enjoy further success with Inter, winning the [[UEFA Cup]] in [[1991 UEFA Cup Final|1991]] and being named [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]. In the final, he scored a penalty in the first leg to help them to their victory over [[A.S. Roma|Roma]].<ref name="Matthäus fifa"/>

Returning to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in 1992, he won four Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, another UEFA Cup and reached a second [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] final in [[1999 UEFA Champions League Final|1999]]. The only major club football honour which eluded Matthäus, for competitions in which he played, was the [[UEFA Champions League]]. Famously, he came within two minutes of picking up a winners' medal in [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League|1999]], only to have his hopes dashed by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], who scored two [[last-minute goal]]s in the final, after he was substituted in the 80th minute of play while the team was still leading 1–0. When the two teams went to collect their medals Matthäus removed his runners-up medal immediately after he received it – it was the second time he had been on the losing side in a final under similar circumstances; in the [[1987 European Cup Final|1987 final]], Bayern had been leading 1–0 most of the game until two late goals gave [[FC Porto]] the win. After Matthäus retired, Bayern would win the Champions League in [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League|2000–01]] and later that year the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]]. His last official match for Bayern took place in [[Munich]] on 8 March 2000 and was a Champions League match against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]], which Bayern won 4–1.<ref name="Matthäus fifa"/>

During the [[1999–2000 Bundesliga|1999–2000]] season, Matthäus moved from Bayern to New York City's [[New York Red Bulls|MetroStars]] team of [[Major League Soccer]] in the United States. He played in the US from March to October 2000 and retired from professional football afterwards. During his season with the MetroStars, he traveled to [[St. Tropez]] when he was supposed to be rehabbing his back.<ref>{{cite web | title = Lothar and Maren | publisher = metrofanatic.com| access-date =6 September 2014 | url = http://www.metrofanatic.com/story.jsp?ID=4668}}</ref>

Matthäus came out of retirement in 2018, at age 57, to play 50 minutes of [[1. FC Herzogenaurach]]'s final league game of the season. The team had already secured the league title, and the appearance allowed Matthäus to satisfy his ambition retiring with the club where his career started: "It was always my dream to play my last competitive game here."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/lothar-matthaus-bayern-munich-germany-legend-plays-sunday-league-game-493707.jsp | title = Bundesliga legend Lothar Matthäus 'retires' from football after Sunday league game for hometown club FC Herzogenaurach | publisher = Bundesliga | date = 15 May 2018 | access-date = 20 January 2019 | language = en}}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Lothar Matthäus.jpg|thumb|upright|Matthäus has won more international [[Cap (sport)|caps]] than any German with 150 and went to nine major international tournaments, serving as captain of the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cup]] champions]]

===Early international career===
Matthäus was first called up in 1980 to the West German squad that won the [[UEFA Euro 1980]] in Italy, debuting against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] on 14 June at the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Debüt in DFB-Team vor 40 Jahren hatte bitteren Nachgeschmack|trans-title=Debut in Germany national football team 40 years ago had bitter aftertaste|url=https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.lothar-matthaeus-debuet-in-dfb-team-vor-40-jahren-hatte-bitteren-nachgeschmack.b99e9968-f89c-473e-afd2-ec681bc06bc0.html|newspaper=[[Stuttgarter Nachrichten]]|date=12 June 2020|access-date=19 October 2024}}</ref> He also played two games at the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]] in Spain; he was brought on as a substitute in group stage games against [[Chile national football team|Chile]]<ref name="final chapter">{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-matthaus-plans-to-add-a-final-chapter-to-his-world-cup-story-1159002.html |title=Football: Matthaus plans to add a final chapter to his World Cup story|newspaper=The Independent|date=17 May 1998 |access-date=11 May 2024}}</ref> and the infamous [[Disgrace of Gijón]] game versus [[Austria national football team|Austria]], which West Germany won 1–0, allowing both teams to advance from their group.<ref name="GuardianWorldCup">{{cite news|last=Smyth|first=Rob|title=No3: West Germany 1–0 Austria in 1982|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/25/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-no3-germany-austria-1982-rob-smyth|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 February 2014|access-date=23 June 2014}}</ref> [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] reached [[1982 FIFA World Cup|the final]], losing to [[Italy national football team|Italy]] at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]] in Madrid 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sparkling Italy spring ultimate upset|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19820712&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|newspaper=Glasgow Herald|date=12 July 1982|access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref>

Matthäus also had a regular place in the national team for the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] in Mexico, scoring the winner in the round of 16 against [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/1986mexico/news/worldcupathome-argentina-v-west-germany--mexico-1986-3070259|title=World Cup At Home: Argentina beat West Germany in Maradona's World Cup|website=FIFA|date=15 April 2020|access-date=11 May 2024}}</ref> In the final at the [[Azteca Stadium]] in Mexico City, despite his considerable play-making ability, he was assigned by coach [[Franz Beckenbauer]] to mark [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]'s [[Diego Maradona]]. Maradona did not score in the final, but his pass to [[Jorge Burruchaga]] with six minutes left in regulation time set up the winning goal for Argentina, and West Germany lost their second consecutive [[1986 FIFA World Cup Final|World Cup final]], this time 3–2.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Alex|last=Yannis|title=Argentina Beats West Germany to Win the World Cup|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/30/sports/argentina-beats-west-germany-to-win-world-cup.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 June 1986 |access-date=11 May 2024 }}</ref>

At [[UEFA Euro 1988]] in West Germany, Matthäus [[Captain (association football)|captained]] the team and scored a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] against eventual champions [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] in the semi-final to give his team a 1–0 lead, but [[Ronald Koeman]] leveled the score with a penalty, and then [[Marco van Basten]] slid in the winning goal in the final minutes.<ref name="guardian_euro88">{{Cite news|first=David|last=Lacey|title=Marco's late hook floors the favourites|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1988/jun/22/euro2004.sport|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 June 1988|access-date=23 January 2009}}</ref>

===1990s===
[[File:WorldCup1994BulgariaGermany.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.13|During the 1994 World Cup, Matthäus scored a penalty against [[Borislav Mihaylov]] in the quarter-finals against Bulgaria at [[Giants Stadium]], New York City.]]
His immediate success in Italy's premier football league, the Serie A, was a precursor to the national team which finally managed to triumph at the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]] held in Italy. Six of West Germany's squad played professionally there; Matthäus and the West German squad played most of the World Cup games at Inter's home stadium the [[San Siro]]. West Germany was the best team of the tournament and one of the few to choose an attacking style of play, contrary to previous German teams' more defensive style. Matthäus led his squad from midfield and scored four goals, including two in the team's opening group match, a 4–1 win against [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-11-sp-211-story.html |title=World Cup '90: Matthaus Lifts West Germany Past Yugoslavia|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=11 June 1990 |access-date=11 May 2024 }}</ref> He scored the only goal of the quarter-final against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] from a penalty awarded in the 25th minute of the match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/germany-v-czechoslovakia-01-july-1990-242457/|title=Germany v Czechoslovakia, 01 July 1990|work=11v11.com|access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref> West Germany reached its third consecutive final, a rematch against Maradona-led Argentina, and this time Matthäus and his team emerged victorious 1–0 at the [[Stadio Olimpico]] in Rome thanks to [[Andreas Brehme]] converting an 85th minute [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]]. Matthäus later said that playing the World Cup in Italy was "like playing a World Cup at home".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeZ_LgB9Urg | title = Lothar Matthäus recalls the 1990 World Cup – Part 4 | publisher = WorldSport.tv | date = 19 April 2010 | access-date = 27 May 2015}}</ref> As team captain, Matthäus hoisted the last [[FIFA World Cup Trophy|World Cup trophy]] before [[German reunification]] in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |title=A riot of colour, emotion and memories: the World Cup stands alone in the field of sport|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/world-cup-russia-2018-preview-lionel-messi-ronaldo-italia-90-98-england-brazil-germany-france-a8392211.html|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref>

Matthäus did not participate in the [[UEFA Euro 1992]] in Sweden due to an injury, where a reunified Germany made the [[UEFA Euro 1992 final|final]] but surprisingly lost 2–0 to [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref name=bbcsaj>{{cite web |title=Euro 1992: Denmark's fairytale |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17757335|website=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=12 May 2012 |access-date=26 July 2021 |archive-date=4 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504022302/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17757335 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]] hosted by the United States, he captained the team but now operated as sweeper. He scored a penalty in Germany's quarter-final match against Bulgaria at [[Giants Stadium]] in New York City, which was also his record-tying 21st World Cup match, but the Bulgarians scored twice in three minutes to upset the defending champions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/07/11/bulgaria-in-semis-a-complete-shock-to-germany/4cc28592-16d8-4b95-b84c-2b15cb2b7c32/|first=Steven|last=Goff|title=Bulgaria in Semis a Complete Shock to Germany|newspaper=Washington Post|date=10 July 1994 |access-date=11 May 2024 }}</ref> USA '94 was expected to be his last tournament, though he did not officially retire from international play. Matthäus was afterwards not called up for the national team, due to feuding with succeeding captain [[Jürgen Klinsmann]] and coach [[Berti Vogts]]. In his absence Germany won [[UEFA Euro 1996]] which was held in England.<ref name=guardrep>{{Cite web|first=David|last=Lacey|title=Champions toast a double Bierhoff|url=https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/83313038/the-guardian/|newspaper= [[The Guardian]] | date = 1 July 1996 | via = [[Newspapers.com]] | page = 10|access-date = 12 August 2021}}</ref>

Surprisingly, he was called up for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] in France as a replacement for the injured [[Matthias Sammer]].<ref name="final chapter"/> He was on the bench for Germany's victory over the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]], but came in as a substitute against [[Yugoslavia national football team|FR Yugoslavia]] and helped the team to a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Christopher|last=Clarey|title=World Cup '98; Errant Bounces and Serendipity Give Germany a Draw|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/22/sports/world-cup-98-errant-bounces-and-serendipity-give-germany-a-draw.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 June 1998 |access-date=11 May 2024 }}</ref> He became the second player to appear in five different World Cup tournaments, tying the record of Mexican goalkeeper [[Antonio Carbajal]].<ref name=fifa>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=5/news=behind-the-world-cup-record-lothar-matthaus-2882777.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508112817/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=5/news=behind-the-world-cup-record-lothar-matthaus-2882777.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 May 2017|title=Behind the World Cup record: Lothar Matthaus|publisher=[[FIFA]]|date=8 May 2017}}</ref> In [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]], the record has also been tied by Italian goalkeeper [[Gianluigi Buffon]],<ref name=fifa/> who however has only played in four. In 2015, [[Homare Sawa]] and [[Formiga (footballer, born 1978)|Formiga]] became the first footballers to appear for a record sixth time at the [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup]] in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-women-japan-idUKKBN0NM3D120150501|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821094856/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-women-japan-idUKKBN0NM3D120150501|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2016|title=Japan legend Sawa makes cut for sixth World Cup|website=Reuters|date=1 May 2015|access-date=28 May 2015}}</ref> Matthäus played in all the rest of Germany's matches until [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] knocked them out in Lyon 3–0 in the quarterfinals,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/results/articles/croatia_germany.htm|first=Steven|last=Goff|title=Croatia Achieves "Historic Result"|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=5 July 1998 |access-date=11 May 2024 }}</ref> taking his total to a record 25.<ref name=fifa/>

===Final international years===
Matthäus earned his last three caps at [[UEFA Euro 2000]] in Belgium and the Netherlands, with his 150th cap being against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], where Germany had a disastrous first round exit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lothar Matthaus |website=Wldcup.com |access-date=1 November 2007 |url=http://www.wldcup.com/euro/2004/players_past/486_lothar_matthaus.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027100032/http://www.wldcup.com/euro/2004/players_past/486_lothar_matthaus.html |archive-date=27 October 2007 }}</ref> He had a poor performance in the first group game against Romania, causing [[Oliver Bierhoff]] and other key German players to demand his benching, but head coach [[Erich Ribbeck]] stuck by Matthäus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/list/wenger-berlusconi-xavi---the-players-coaches-and-presidents-who-stayed-on-too-long/39kuhfvo3mbn1i5l47b1ggzer/slide/7|first=Mark|last=Doyle|title=Wenger, Berlusconi, Xavi – the players, coaches and presidents who stayed on too long|website=Sporting News|date = 12 May 2018 | access-date = 14 May 2018}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
One year after ending his illustrious playing career, Matthäus went into coaching, an activity where he has, so far, been much less distinguished. In his print interviews and other media appearances, he has been open about his goal and desire to coach in the German Bundesliga. His hope was that taking coaching jobs abroad would lead to offers from German clubs.

When none came his way even after multiple foreign appointments, he often brought it up in the German press in-between his coaching stints. In a lengthy November 2009 ''[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]]'' interview, Matthäus complained about what he considers to be inadequate treatment he receives in Germany as a former great. He also bemoaned the lack of coaching job offers extended to him in the German Bundesliga—claiming German clubs perceive him as too much of a [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern]] supporter and too closely linked with the influential ''[[Bild]]'' tabloid newspaper to give him a job.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/nov/08/lothar-matthaeus-germany-football-idol | title = I am an idol and should be treated like one, says Lothar Matthaeus | work = The Guardian | date = 8 November 2009 | access-date =9 November 2009}}</ref>

===Rapid Wien===
[[File:Lothar Matthaeus 2002.jpg|thumb|upright|Matthäus in [[Vienna]] in January 2002.]]
His first head coaching experience was at [[SK Rapid Wien]] in the [[Austrian Football Bundesliga|Austrian Bundesliga]], lasting from 6 September 2001<ref name=rapidwienhired>{{cite news|title=Lothar Matthäus Sportdirektor bei Rapid|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/252446/artikel_lothar-matthaeus-sportdirektor-bei-rapid.html|access-date=28 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=6 September 2001|language=de}}</ref> until 14 May 2002 with mixed results.<ref name=rapidwiensack>{{cite news|title=Hickersberger wird Matthäus-Nachfolger|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/265644/artikel_hickersberger-wird-matthaeus-nachfolger.html|access-date=28 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=14 May 2002|language=de}}</ref> Matthäus got Rapid Wien to the second round of the [[2001–02 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]],<ref name="2001–02 season">{{cite web |title=Rapid Wien » Fixtures & Results 2001/2002 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/rapid-wien/2002/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> Round of 16 in the [[Austrian Cup]],<ref name="2001–02 season"/> and finished in eighth place in [[2001–02 Austrian Football Bundesliga|Bundesliga]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Austria » Bundesliga 2001/2002 » 36. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/aut-bundesliga-2001-2002-spieltag/36/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>

===Partizan===
In December 2002, looking to replace their recently sacked head coach [[Ljubiša Tumbaković]], Serbian club [[FK Partizan]] hired Matthäus during mid-[[2002–03 First League of Serbia and Montenegro|season]] winter break, signing the German to an 18-month contract.<ref name=partizanjob>{{cite news|title=Matthäus wird Trainer in Belgrad|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/276946/artikel_matthaeus-wird-trainer-in-belgrad.html|access-date=29 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=22 December 2012|language=de}}</ref>

Inheriting a team at the top of the league table, Matthäus achieved the immediate goal of steering Partizan to the 2002–03 league title; and did so in convincing fashion, extending the lead over the second-placed [[Eternal derby (Serbia)|cross-town rivals]] [[Red Star Belgrade]] to 19 points at one point.

The German's finest hour with the club, however, came in August 2003 when Partizan eliminated [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds#Third qualifying round|third qualifying round]] to reach the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League|2003–04]] competition's [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League group stage|group stage]].<ref name="2003–04 season">{{cite web |title=Partizan » Fixtures & Results 2003/2004 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/partizan/2004/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> Following the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds#Partizan v Newcastle United|first leg 0–1 loss at home]], the cause seemed lost, however, Partizan improbably triumphed 0–1 away at [[St. James' Park]] against the [[2002–03 FA Premier League|third-placed English Premier League club]], taking the tie to penalties. The penalty series brought further dramatic changes of momentum before right back [[Milivoje Ćirković]]'s successful spot-kick in the seventh penalty round finally put Partizan through. Matthäus notably had his back turned to the pitch as couldn't bear to watch the drama of Ćirković's penalty. Drawn in a tough [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League group stage#Group F|group]] with [[Real Madrid]], eventual champions [[FC Porto]], and [[Olympique de Marseille]], Partizan finished last thus missing out on the [[UEFA Cup]] spot.

On 13 December 2003, right after finishing the final league match of the first half of the [[2003–04 First League of Serbia and Montenegro|season]] before the winter break (0–1 win away at [[FK Železnik]]), Matthäus abruptly resigned his Partizan post by addressing the players and club leadership in private.<ref name=partizanresignation>{{cite web | url = http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2003/12/14/srpski/S03121306.shtml | title = Lotar Mateus podneo ostavku | publisher = Glas javnosti | date = 14 December 2003 | access-date =9 November 2009 | language = sr}}</ref> A club spokesperson said Matthäus would clear everything up at a press conference scheduled for two days later, but it was already widely speculated through reports in the Hungarian press that the German had agreed terms with the [[Hungarian Football Federation]] to coach the [[Hungary national football team|Hungary national team]]. The rumours proved true as he officially signed the contract in [[Budapest]] and also got introduced to the media at [[Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, Budapest|Kempinski Hotel Corvinus]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2003/12/15/srpski/S03121404.shtml | title = Lotar Mateus juče u Budimpešti promovisan u novog selektora reprezentacije Mađarske – Da li je Efenberg bio u pravu? | publisher = Glas javnosti | date = 15 December 2003 | access-date =9 November 2009 | language = sr}}</ref>

Four months after leaving Belgrade, in mid-April 2004, the row over the terms of Matthäus' contract with Partizan was opened with both parties publicly going back and forth at each other. It began with Matthäus, by now Hungarian national team head coach, giving a detailed interview to Serbian press and accusing Partizan club leadership of breaching the additional terms of his contract.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2004/04/15/srpski/S04041401.shtml | title = Lotar Mateus progovorio o razlozima odlaska iz Humske i nameri da čelnike Partizana tuži u FIFA i UEFA: Dajem im tri dana fore | publisher = Glas javnosti | date = 15 April 2004 | access-date =24 January 2010 | language = sr}}</ref> It became known on that occasion that his initial contract with Partizan that had been finalized on 1 January 2003 included a base guaranteed part as well additional premium clauses giving him between 5–10% from players' transfers and shirt sponsorships as well as Champions League bonus incentives. Matthäus claimed that after none of that was honoured he gave up on asking for his percentages of the [[Danko Lazović]] and [[Zvonimir Vukić]] transfers as well as [[Superfund Group|Superfund]] shirt sponsorship deal due to "not wanting to upset the team atmosphere during Champions League qualifying", but instead pushed for the additional terms to be renegotiated. After successful Champions League qualification, the additional terms were in fact renegotiated with Partizan's general secretary [[Žarko Zečević]] so that both parties agreed to put the previous additional terms out of effect and instead now give Matthäus 15% of [[Igor Duljaj]]'s (the club's best young asset at the time) future transfer abroad as well as to allow Matthäus to leave the club any time he wanted without penalties. Duljaj was sold to [[Shakhtar Donetsk]] in January 2004 for US$4 million, and Matthäus claimed Partizan failed to pay him the agreed percentage ($600,000 or €469,500). The club responded two days later in a lengthy press release saying that they don't owe him any money.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2004&mm=04&dd=17&nav_id=138379 | title = Partizan ništa ne duguje Mateusu | publisher = B92 | date = 17 April 2004 | access-date =24 January 2010 | language = sr}}</ref> One day after that, Matthäus decided to sue Partizan for the amount of US$600,000 before [[Court of Arbitration for Sport|Sports Arbitration Court]] in [[Lausanne]], Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2004&mm=04&dd=18&nav_id=138498 | title = Mateus definitivno tužio FK Partizan | publisher = B92 | date = 18 April 2004 | access-date =24 January 2010 | language = sr}}</ref>

===Hungary national team===
Matthäus became manager of the [[Hungary national football team]] on 14 December 2003.<ref name=hungaryjob>{{cite news|title=Matthäus wird Ungarns Nationalcoach|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/292262/artikel_matthaeus-wird-ungarns-nationalcoach.html|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=licker|date=14 December 2003|language=de}}</ref> Taking over the national team of a country once synonymous with world class football that had over the decades in the meantime fallen to the point of being unable to qualify for a major competition since the [[1986 FIFA World Cup Group C|1986 FIFA World Cup]], Matthäus was given the task of qualifying for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] as part of the [[Hungarian Football Federation]]'s (MLSZ) ambitious plan of returning on the path of former [[Magical Magyars|1950s glory]]. After being drawn in a tough group with [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]], [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] and [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] that goal looked increasingly difficult.

The [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8|campaign]] started in the autumn of 2004 and fairly quickly it became obvious Hungary were in over their heads. Opening 3–0 loss away at Croatia in early September was somewhat offset four days later by a 3–2 hard fought home win versus [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]]. A month later, Matthäus' Hungary faced another important test away from home, this time at Sweden and once again it finished in disappointment with another demoralizing 3–0 loss. Before the winter break, Hungary managed to beat the minnows of the group [[Malta national football team|Malta]] thus finishing the autumn part of the qualifying in fourth place with six points, mathematically still within striking distance of the leading trio. Notable was a 2–0 win in a friendly in Kaiserslautern against Germany on 6 June 2004.

As the qualifiers resumed in late March 2005, Hungary hosted Bulgaria in what was pretty much a must win match for Matthäus' squad, however they only managed a draw right at the end with the goal coming in 90th minute for a 1–1 final scoreline. As Croatia and Sweden both won on the same occasion, the leading duo of teams now tangibly separated themselves from the pack of chasers, all of which meant that in order to qualify Hungary would have to win all its remaining fixtures and even get some outside help in terms of favourable results elsewhere. 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. However, Matthäus was allowed to finish out the campaign behind the bench, and was even offered Hungarian [[citizenship]], which he at the time said he would accept. There's no word whether he actually did. Matthäus left the Hungarian national team on 11 January 2006.<ref name=atleticoparanaensejob>{{cite news|title=Matthäus hands over Hungary reins|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=384253.html|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=UEFA|date=11 January 2006}}</ref>

After leaving the Hungary post, Matthäus was vocally critical of the [[Hungarian Football Federation]] (MLSZ), accusing it in November 2007 of "not contributing, but exploiting Hungarian football" before adding that "it is not coincidental that the [[UEFA Euro 2012 bids|Hungarian bid]] to host [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]] didn't receive any votes".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sportgeza.hu/futball/hirek/334347/ |title=Matthäus: Mindenki mondjon le! |date=3 November 2007 |access-date=26 January 2009 |publisher=Sport Géza |language=hu }}</ref>

===Atlético Paranaense===
Matthäus signed a one-year contract to coach Brazilian club [[Clube Atlético Paranaense|Atlético Paranaense]] from the city of [[Curitiba]] on 11 January 2006.<ref name=atleticoparanaensejob/> However, after only seven matches in charge (five wins, two draws) from the start of the 2006 [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]] [[Campeonato Paranaense|state championship]] he quit the club in March 2006 citing the need to be closer to his family. The way he left raised some questions about his professionalism. Apparently, only five weeks after signing a contract he informed club officials about a need to rush back to Europe in order to deal with an urgent personal problem, but assured them he'd be back in 3–4 days. After missing for two weeks, he faxed in his resignation on 20 March and never even went back to Brazil to pick up his personal belongings.<ref name=atleticoparanaenseresignation>{{cite web | title = Same as the old boss ... |
author = Andrew Downie | date = 28 March 2006 | publisher = ESPNsoccernet | access-date =1 November 2007 | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=363085&root=global&cc=5901 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110427095911/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=363085&root=global&cc=5901 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 27 April 2011 }}</ref> Some ten days later, Atlético put out a release mentioning that Matthäus ran up [[Brazilian real|R$]]13,000 (US$5,915) in phone charges that the club wanted him to pay.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2006&mm=04&dd=01&nav_id=193451 |title = Mateus ostao dužan Brazilcima | publisher = B92 | date = 1 April 2006 | access-date =24 January 2010 | language = sr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P1-121020472.html | title = Atletico Paranaense says Matthaeus owes nearly US$6,000 in phone bills | publisher = AP Worldstream | date = 31 March 2006 | access-date =24 January 2010}}</ref> The club even posted the bill on their website.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/apr/02/spt.html | title = Matthaeus owes nearly $6,000 in phone bills | publisher = NewAgeDesk | date = 2 April 2006 | access-date = 24 January 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071222060326/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/apr/02/spt.html | archive-date = 22 December 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

===Red Bull Salzburg===
On 19 May 2006, only two months following the bizarre Brazilian episode, Matthäus was announced as coach of [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]] (formerly Austria Salzburg) for the upcoming [[2006–07 Austrian Football Bundesliga|2006–07 season]]. Shortly, the club also signed [[Giovanni Trapattoni]] (incidentally Matthäus' former coach at both Inter Milan and Bayern) to be their director of football. In practice, this meant that Trapattoni and Matthäus essentially shared coaching duties.

Despite co-leading the team to the Austrian league title by a large margin, Matthäus would eventually be fired on 12 June 2007 by unanimous decision of the Red Bull Salzburg's board of directors.

===Maccabi Netanya===
On 13 April 2008, it was announced that Matthäus signed with Israeli club [[Maccabi Netanya]] to coach the team from the beginning of the [[2008–09 Israeli Premier League|2008–09 season]].<ref name=netanyajob>{{cite news|title=Matthäus Trainer in Netanya|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/377308/artikel_matthaeus-trainer-in-netanya.html|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=12 April 2008|language=de}}</ref>

On 29 April 2009, with the Israeli league season still ongoing and Netanya sitting in fourth place, it was announced that Matthäus will not be back for the second season once the current one is finished.<ref name=leftnetanya>{{cite news|title=Matthäus löst Vertrag in Netanya|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/507988/artikel_matthaeus-loest-vertrag-in-netanya.html|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=29 April 2009|language=de}}</ref> The reason cited was the financial trouble that the club was going through.<ref name=leftnetanya/> Matthäus' club finished the league season in fourth spot.

===Bulgaria national team===
[[File:Lothar Matthäus in frendly mach Bulgaria-Serbia.JPG|thumb|Matthäus (right) during a friendly match against Serbia in November 2010]]
On 23 September 2010, it was announced that Matthäus would be the new coach of the [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgarian national team]] after the resignation of [[Stanimir Stoilov]] a few weeks earlier.<ref name=bulgariajob>{{cite news|title=Matthäus unterschreibt für ein Jahr|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/542709/artikel_matthaeus-unterschreibt-fuer-ein-jahr.html|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=23 September 2010|language=de}}</ref> His contract was for one year with the option for a two-year extension.

He started with a 1–0 win against [[Wales national football team|Wales]] in [[Cardiff]] on his debut.<ref name="2010 Bulgaria results">{{cite web |title=Bulgaria » Fixtures & Results 2010 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bulgarien-team/2010/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> Matthäus led Bulgaria to their first win in 2010 and in the [[UEFA Euro 2012]] qualification campaign. On 12 October 2010, he led Bulgaria to a 2–0 win over [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] in a friendly. On 17 November 2010, in a friendly played in [[Sofia]], Bulgaria lost to [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]] 0–1. Despite winning his first match in the qualifiers against Wales, Bulgaria under Matthäus were unable to qualify for Euro 2012, following draws with [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] and [[Montenegro national football team|Montenegro]], as well as a home loss against [[England national football team|England]]. On 19 September 2011, it was revealed that Matthäus had been sacked.<ref name=bulgariasacking>{{cite news|title=Bulgarischer Verband trennt sich von Matthäus|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/558127/artikel_bulgarischer-verband-trennt-sich-von-matthaeus.html|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=19 September 2011|language=de}}</ref> The match against Switzerland was his final match.<ref name="2011 Bulgaria results">{{cite web |title=Bulgaria » Fixtures & Results 2011 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bulgarien-team/2011/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>

In April 2018, he was one of 77 applicants for the vacant [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon national team]] job.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43869356|title=77 applicants for vacant Cameroon coaching position|date=23 April 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|author=Oluwashina Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

==Columnist and TV pundit==
From 2001 until 2009, in parallel and in-between his coaching jobs, Matthäus wrote a column for the German weekly sports magazine ''[[Sport Bild]]''.

He also worked as in-studio TV pundit on a variety of television networks during big football competitions: for the German pay television channel [[Sky Deutschland|Premiere]] during the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] and [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] FIFA World Cups, for the German channel [[ZDF]] during [[UEFA Euro 2004]], for [[Eurosport]] during [[UEFA Euro 2008]], for the Arabian network [[Al Jazeera Sports]] during the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], for the Iranian channel [[IRIB]] during the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] and [[2015 AFC Asian Cup]], and for the British TV network [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] during [[UEFA Euro 2016]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/09/euro-2016-bbc-v-itv--who-will-win-the-battle-of-the-broadcasters/ | title = Euro 2016: BBC v ITV – who will win the battle of the broadcasters? | website = The Telegraph | date = 9 June 2016 | access-date = 14 June 2016 | first = Rob | last = Bagchi}}</ref> Since the [[2012–13 Bundesliga]] season, he worked as an expert for the Pay TV broadcaster [[Sky Deutschland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wunschliste.de/tvnews/m/naechster-rtl-coup-lothar-matthaeus-wird-neuer-laenderspielexperte |title=Nächster RTL-Coup: Lothar Matthäus wird neuer Länderspielexperte |website=Wunschliste.de |language=German |date=26 April 2021 }}</ref>

He has further participated in a special ''É Campeão'' for the Brazilian channel [[SporTV]].

==Style of play==
{{quote box|width=30em|align=right|bgcolor=Cornsilk|quote=I admire Platini, I admire Maradona, but to win, I need Matthäus.|source= —Giovanni Trapattoni, Matthäus' manager at [[Inter Milan]] and [[Bayern Munich]].<ref>Miller, Nick, "The 10 best moments of Italia 90", ESPN, June 2015</ref>}}

Renowned for his positioning, technical ability, stamina, passing, tackling, and powerful long range shooting abilities with either foot, Matthäus is widely considered by many to be one of the greatest and most complete midfielders of all time, and even by some as one of the greatest players of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://fcb-erlebniswelt.de/de/historie/hall-of-fame/lothar-matthaeus/index.php |title=Lothar Matthäus - Erlebniswelt |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307225957/http://fcb-erlebniswelt.de/de/historie/hall-of-fame/lothar-matthaeus/index.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/the-best-box-to-box-midfielders-of-all-time |title=The Best Box-to-Box Midfielders of All-Time |publisher=90min.com |date=8 June 2020 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Soccer positions explained: names, numbers and what they do |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/faq/all-you-need-to-know-about-soccer/soccer-positions-explained-names-numbers-and-what-they-do-10569 |publisher=bundesliga.com |access-date=8 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Bundesliga and Germany legend">{{cite web |title=Lothar Matthäus: The story of a Bundesliga and Germany legend |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/who-is-lothar-matthaus-the-story-of-a-germany-legend-inter-milan-maradona-3198 |publisher=Bundesliga.com |access-date=8 May 2024 |language=en |date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Primarily a [[box-to-box midfielder]], he was also capable of playing as an [[attacking midfielder|attacking]] or [[defensive midfielder]].<ref name="Bundesliga and Germany legend"/><ref name="Inter Profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.inter.it/en/club/hall-of-fame/lothar-matthaus |title=Lothar Matthäus |publisher=www.inter.it |language=en |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref>

Journalist Jacques Thibert, writing for [[France Football]], who awarded Matthäus the [[1990 Ballon d'Or]], described him as a player that despite not being sublime in anything individually, was good in every aspect of the game, which allowed him to be at ease in every area of the pitch. Furthermore, Thibert credited his Inter manager [[Giovanni Trapattoni]] for turning him into a more creative, assertive and rhythmic player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1990-lothar-matthaus/423444|title=1990 - Lothar Matthäus|first=Paul|last=Dev|website=Francefootball.fr|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref> At Inter under Trapattoni, Matthäus excelled in a three-man midfield, either in a free role as a [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker|deep-lying]] [[playmaker]], or even as an offensive left-sided [[central midfielder]] in the ''[[Midfielder#Mezzala|mezzala]]'' role on occasion, with either [[Gianfranco Matteoli]] or [[Sergio Battistini]] serving as defensive midfielder and [[Nicola Berti]] as a box-to-box midfielder.<ref name="Inter Profile"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Dream_Cup/Primo_Piano/2007/07_Luglio/Inter_89.shtml |title=Matthaus alla guida Inter schiacciasassi |work=Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |last1=Bovolenta |first1=Germano |date=7 July 2007 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Inter/20-02-2024/l-inter-dei-record-di-brehme-come-giocava-con-trapattoni_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fbackend.710302.xyz%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2FSerie-A%2FInter%2F20-02-2024%2Fl-inter-dei-record-di-brehme-come-giocava-con-trapattoni.shtml |title=Come giocava l'Inter dei record, dove Brehme era ingegnere e muratore |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT |date=20 February 2024 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guerinsportivo.it/news/calcio/calcio-internazionale/2021/03/21-4039236/la_riunificazione_di_lothar_mattha_us |title=La riunificazione di Lothar Matthäus |publisher=www.guerinsportivo.it |language=it |date=21 March 2021 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Pallonedoro/matthaus.shtml |title=Mattheus: il simbolo dell'ultimo scudetto nerazzurro |work=Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref>

Well into his 30's and coupled with injuries led to then Germany national team manager [[Berti Vogts]]'s decision to convert Matthäus into a sweeper, a position that he would later play at his final five years in Bayern.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/10/sports/world-cup-94-germany-s-perfect-player-lets-acclaim-go-elsewhere.html|title = WORLD CUP '94; Germany's 'Perfect Player' Lets Acclaim Go Elsewhere|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 10 July 1994|last1 = Mifflin|first1 = Lawrie}}</ref> As a sweeper, Matthäus enjoyed great freedom, as he could defend and make offensive runs into the opposing team's defensive area, and also exert influence into Bayern's attacking game due to his ability to read the game.<ref name="Bundesliga and Germany legend"/> Aside from his passing and long range shooting abilities, Matthäus was also an expert free kick and penalty taker, known for his powerful strikes from set pieces.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/it/posts/i-50-migliori-rigoristi-della-storia-del-calcio |title=I 50 migliori rigoristi della storia del calcio |publisher=90min.com |language=it-IT |date=15 August 2020 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rivistaundici.com/2015/04/10/effetto-roberto-carlos/ |title=Roberto Carlos carriera |publisher=Rivista Undici |language=it-IT |date=10 April 2015 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-gentleman-ultra/2021/mar/20/lothar-matthaus-60-remembering-10-best-goals-inter-serie-a |title=Lothar Matthäus at 60: remembering his 10 best goals for Inter |work=The Guardian |last1=Hall |first1=Richard |date=20 March 2021 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Inter dei tedeschi">{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/inter-tedeschi/ |title=Storia dell'Inter dei tedeschi |publisher=L'Ultimo Uomo |language=it-IT |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=8 May 2024 }}</ref> In addition to his footballing skills, Matthäus was also praised for his winning mentality, determination, leadership, and commanding presence on the pitch, which made him a decisive player for his teams.<ref name="Inter Profile"/>

==Personal life==
Matthäus has four children,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/internationell/article4121587.ab |title=Matthäus har gift sig – igen |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=5 January 2009 |work=[[Aftonbladet]] |last=Karlsson |first=Emil | language = sv }}</ref> and has been married five times. During his first marriage that lasted from 1981 until 1992, wife Silvia gave birth to two daughters Alisa (born 1986) and Viola (born 1988). 

In 1994, he married Swiss model and TV presenter [[Lolita Morena]] with whom he had a son, Loris (born 1992). The marriage ended in 1999.

While coaching Partizan in Belgrade, Matthäus met 31-year-old Serbian socialite [[Marijana Matthäus]] who became his third wife on 27 November 2003. By late 2007, the couple separated and she filed for divorce. Their divorce became official in late January 2009 following the conclusion of a year-long court case in [[Salzburg]], Austria (their last residence) over the division of assets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blic.rs/zabava/vesti/mateusovi-se-razveli-posle-godinu-dana-sudenja/xjtwksb |title=Mateusovi se razveli posle godinu dana suđenja |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=11 February 2009 |publisher=[[Blic (newspaper)|Blic]] |last=Mijatović |first=M. | language = sr}}</ref>

In December 2008, 47-year-old Matthäus married 21-year-old Ukrainian model Kristina Liliana Chudinova. The ceremony was held in Las Vegas. They met a year earlier at the [[Oktoberfest]] beer festival in Munich. The couple lived in [[Tel Aviv]], Israel, where Liliana studied journalism in a local university;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/internationell/article4121587.ab |title=Matthäus har gift sig – igen |date=5 January 2009 |accessdate=5 January 2009 |work=[[Aftonbladet]] |last=Karlsson |first=Emil |lang=sv |archive-date=19 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119151209/http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/internationell/article4121587.ab |url-status=live }}</ref>
but started living separately by early 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mirosport.net/2010/soccer/17371/marijana-i-knew-he-would-divorce-her/ | title = Marijana: I knew he would divorce her | publisher = MiroSport | date = 21 July 2010 | access-date = 4 August 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511180758/http://www.mirosport.net/2010/soccer/17371/marijana-i-knew-he-would-divorce-her/ | archive-date = 11 May 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Matthäus married Anastasia Klimko in 2014 and they have a son. The marriage ended in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Scheidung Nummer fünf! Lothar Matthäus getrennt von Anastasia |url=https://www.tag24.de/unterhaltung/promis/scheidung-von-anastasia-lothar-matthaeus-geniesst-auf-mykonos-single-dasein-mit-unbekannter-schoenheit-2148537| website = tag24.de | language = de | date = 4 October 2021 | access-date = 9 October 2021 | first = Jan | last = Höfling}}</ref>

==Media appearances==
Matthäus features in [[EA Sports]]' [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]]; he was on the cover of the German edition of ''[[FIFA 2001]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA 2001: Major League Soccer Review|url=http://ca.ign.com/games/fifa-2001-major-league-soccer/ps2-14401|access-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> and features in the ''[[FIFA 14]]'', ''[[FIFA 15]]'', ''[[FIFA 16]]'', ''[[FIFA 17]]'', ''[[FIFA 18]]'', ''[[FIFA 19]]'' and ''[[FIFA 20]]'' as an Ultimate Team Icon.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA 20 Ultimate Team Icons: Lothar Matthäus|url=https://www.fifplay.com/fifa-20/players/238436/lothar-matthaus/|website= fifplay.com|access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref> Matthäus was also prominently featured in the opening video scene of [[UEFA Euro 2000 (video game)|EA's Euro 2000 video game]], with [[Paul Oakenfold]] transforming the real Matthäus into an interactive digital player he controls in the game with his turntables.<ref>{{cite AV media | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsV1gGY8ew | title = EURO 2000 (PC) Intro {{!}} Full HD {{!}} 1080p | website = YouTube | date = 19 July 2010 | access-date = 25 May 2017}}</ref> In August 2019, Matthäus became the face of turn-based football management game ''Football, Tactics & Glory''; he does not actually appear in the game itself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lothar Matthaus becomes the face of our game! |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/375530/old_view/1599260807135243659 |publisher=Creoteam |access-date=3 June 2021}}</ref>

Matthäus had a guest role together with Joanna Tuczyńska in the television series ''[[Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei]]'', in which he played himself in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.focus.de/kultur/kino_tv/alarm-fuer-cobra-11-gaststar-fuer-rtl-rast-lothar-matthaeus-in-den-eiscremewagen_aid_721713.html |title=Lothar Matthäus als SchauspielerFußballtrainer mit Action-Rolle bei RTL-Serie |website=focus.de |language=German |date=19 November 2013 }}</ref> In June 2012, [[VOX (German TV channel)|VOX]] broadcast a documentary titled "''Lothar – immer am Ball''".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.de/themen/thema/lothar-immer-am-ball-t8669.html |title=Lothar – immer am Ball |website=vox.de |language=German |date=2012 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1999-00/370/vereinsspieler_lothar-matthaeus.html | title = Lothar Matthäus | language = de | website = kicker.de | access-date = 26 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[DFB-Pokal]], [[Coppa Italia]], [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|Open Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[DFL-Supercup]], [[DFB Ligapokal]], [[Supercoppa Italiana]], [[MLS Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup/UEFA Champions League]], [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]], [[UEFA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Borussia Mönchengladbach]]
|[[1979–80 Bundesliga|1979–80]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|28||4||2||0||colspan="2"|–||11||2||41||6
|-
|[[1980–81 Bundesliga|1980–81]]
|Bundesliga
|33||10||5||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||12
|-
|[[1981–82 Bundesliga|1981–82]]
|Bundesliga
|33||3||5||4||colspan="2"|—||4||1||42||8
|-
|[[1982–83 Bundesliga|1982–83]]
|Bundesliga
|34||8||5||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||39||10
|-
|[[1983–84 Bundesliga|1983–84]]
|Bundesliga
|34||11||6||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||40||15
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!162!!36!!23!!12!!colspan="2"|—!!15!!3!!200!!51
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
|[[1984–85 FC Bayern Munich season|1984–85]]
|Bundesliga
|33||16||6||0||colspan="2"|—||5||1||44||17
|-
|[[1985–86 FC Bayern Munich season|1985–86]]
|Bundesliga
|23||10||5||2||colspan="2"|—||3||0||31||12
|-
|[[1986–87 FC Bayern Munich season|1986–87]]
|Bundesliga
|31||14||3||1||colspan="2"|—||7||4||41||19
|-
|[[1987–88 FC Bayern Munich season|1987–88]]
|Bundesliga
|26||17||4||3||colspan="2"|—||4||1||34||21
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!113!!57!!18!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!19!!6!!150!!69
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Inter Milan]]
|[[1988–89 Inter Milan season|1988–89]]
|[[Serie A]]
|32||9||7||3||colspan="2"|—||5||0||44||12
|-
|[[1989–90 Inter Milan season|1989–90]]
|Serie A
|25||11||2||2||0||0||2||0||29||13
|-
|[[1990–91 Inter Milan season|1990–91]]
|Serie A
|31||16||3||1||colspan="2"|—||12||6||46||23
|-
|[[1991–92 Inter Milan season|1991–92]]
|Serie A
|27||4||5||1||colspan="2"|—||2||0||34||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!115!!40!!17!!7!!0!!0!!21!!6!!153!!53
|-
|rowspan="9"|Bayern Munich
|[[1992–93 FC Bayern Munich season|1992–93]]
|Bundesliga
|28||8||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||8
|-
|[[1993–94 FC Bayern Munich season|1993–94]]
|Bundesliga
|33||8||3||1||colspan="2"|—||4||1||40||10
|-
|[[1994–95 FC Bayern Munich season|1994–95]]
|Bundesliga
|16||5||2||0||colspan="2"|—||6||0||24||5
|-
|[[1995–96 FC Bayern Munich season|1995–96]]
|Bundesliga
|19||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||0||26||1
|-
|[[1996–97 FC Bayern Munich season|1996–97]]
|Bundesliga
|28||1||3||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0||33||1
|-
|[[1997–98 FC Bayern Munich season|1997–98]]
|Bundesliga
|25||3||3||0||2||0||5||0||35||3
|-
|[[1998–99 FC Bayern Munich season|1998–99]]
|Bundesliga
|25||1||5||0||2||0||12||1||44||2
|-
|[[1999–2000 FC Bayern Munich season|1999–2000]]
|Bundesliga
|15||1||2||0||0||0||9||0||26||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!189!!28!!18!!1!!4!!0!!45!!2!!256!!31
|-
|[[MetroStars]]
|[[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|16||0||2||0||5||0||colspan="2"|—||23||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!595!!161!!78!!26!!9!!0!!100!!17!!782!!204
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name=rsssf>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/matthaeus-intl.html | title = Lothar Matthäus – Century of International Appearances | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | access-date =21 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="21"|[[Germany national football team|Germany]]
|1980||1||0
|-
|1981||1||0
|-
|1982||10||0
|-
|1983||7||0
|-
|1984||10||0
|-
|1985||7||1
|-
|1986||15||2
|-
|1987||6||1
|-
|1988||10||4
|-
|1989||3||1
|-
|1990||15||7
|-
|1991||7||3
|-
|1992||4||0
|-
|1993||11||0
|-
|1994||15||3
|-
|1995||0||0
|-
|1996||0||0
|-
|1997||0||0
|-
|1998||8||0
|-
|1999||13||1
|-
|2000||7||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!150!!23
|}

:''Scores and results list West Germany's and Germany's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Matthäus goal''<ref name=rsssf/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Lothar Matthäus
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 30 April 1985 || [[Stadion Evžena Rošického]], [[Prague]], Czech Republic || {{fb|TCH}} || align=center|3–0 || align="center" |5–1 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|1986 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 5 February 1986 || [[Stadio Partenio-Adriano Lombardi]], [[Avellino]], Italy || {{fb|ITA}} || align=center|2–1 || align="center" |2–1 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 17 June 1986 || [[Estadio Universitario (UANL)|Estadio Universitario]], [[Monterrey]], Mexico || {{fb|MAR}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–0 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage|1986 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|4 || 25 March 1987 || [[Ramat Gan Stadium]], [[Ramat Gan]], Israel || {{fb|ISR}} || align=center|2–0 || align="center" |2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || 2 April 1988 || [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]], [[West Berlin]], West Germany || {{fb|ARG}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–0 || [[Four Nations Tournament (1988)]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || 4 June 1988 || [[Weserstadion]], [[Bremen]], West Germany || {{fb|YUG}} || align=center|1–1 || align="center" |1–1 || Friendly 
|-
| align="center"|7 || 21 June 1988 || [[Volksparkstadion]], [[Hamburg]], West Germany || {{fb|NED}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–2 || [[UEFA Euro 1988]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || 31 August 1988 || [[Helsinki Olympic Stadium]], [[Helsinki]], Finland ||{{fb|FIN}} || align=center|3–0 || align="center" |4–0 ||[[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|1990 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|9 || 4 October 1989 || [[Westfalenstadion]], [[Dortmund]], West Germany 
|{{fb|FIN}}|| align="center" |6–1 || align="center" |6–1 
|1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|10 || 25 April 1990 || [[Neckarstadion]], [[Stuttgart]], West Germany || {{fb|URU}} || align=center|1–1 || align="center" |3–3 || Friendly 
|-
| align="center"|11 || rowspan="2"|10 June 1990 || rowspan="2" |[[San Siro]], [[Milan]], Italy || rowspan="2"|{{fb|YUG}} || align=center|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center" |4–1 || rowspan="2" |[[1990 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|12 || align=center|3–1 
|-
| align="center"|13 || 15 June 1990 
|San Siro, Milan, Italy
| {{fb|UAE}} || align=center|3–1 || align="center" |5–1
|1990 FIFA World Cup
|-
| align="center"|14 || 1 July 1990 
|San Siro, Milan, Italy
| {{fb|TCH}} || align=center|1–0|| align="center" |1–0 || 1990 FIFA World Cup 
|-
| align="center"|15 || 29 August 1990 || [[Estádio da Luz (1954)]], [[Lisbon]], Portugal || {{fb|POR}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–1 ||Friendly 
|-
| align="center"|16 || 19 December 1990 || Neckarstadion, Stuttgart, Germany || {{fb|SUI}} || align=center|4–0 || align="center" |4–0 
|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|17 || 27 March 1991 || [[Waldstadion (Frankfurt)]], [[Frankfurt]], Germany || {{fb|URS}} || align=center|2–0 || align="center" |2–1 
|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|18 || 1 May 1991 || [[Niedersachsenstadion]], [[Hanover]], Germany || {{fb|BEL}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–0 ||[[UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying Group 5|UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|19 || 18 December 1991 || [[Ulrich Haberland Stadion]], [[Leverkusen]], Germany || {{fb|LUX}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |4–0 
|UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|20 || 10 July 1994 || [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford]], United States || {{fb|BUL}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–2 || [[1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|1994 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|21 || 14 December 1994 || [[Stadionul Republican]], [[Chişinău]], Moldova || {{fb|MDA}} || align=center|3–0 || align="center" |3–0 ||[[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Group 7|UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|22 || 18 December 1994 || [[Fritz-Walter-Stadion]], [[Kaiserslautern]], Germany || {{fb|ALB}} || align=center|2–0 || align="center" |2–1 
|UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|23 || 28 July 1999 || [[Estadio Jalisco]], [[Guadalajara]], Mexico || {{fb|NZL}} || align=center|2–0 || align="center" |2–0 || [[1999 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B|1999 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|19 September 2011}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team!!rowspan="2"|From!!rowspan="2"|To!!colspan="5"|Record!!rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!{{Tooltip|M|Matches coached}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Matches won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Matches lost}}!!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|[[SK Rapid Wien|Rapid Wien]]||6 September 2001||14 May 2002
{{WDL|32|9|9|14}}
|<ref name=rapidwienhired/><ref name=rapidwiensack/><ref name="2001–02 season"/>
|-
|[[FK Partizan|Partizan]]||22 December 2002||14 December 2003
{{WDL|44|29|6|9}}
|<ref name=partizanjob/><ref name=partizanresignation/><ref name="2003–04 season"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Partizan » Fixtures & Results 2002/2003 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/partizan/2003/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jovanovic |first1=Dragoljub |title=Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) Cup 2003/04 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/partizan/2004/3/ |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Hungary national football team|Hungary]]||14 December 2003||11 January 2006
{{WDL|28|11|3|14}}
|<ref name=hungaryjob/><ref name=atleticoparanaensejob/><ref>{{cite web |title=Hungary » Fixtures & Results 2004 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/ungarn-team/2004/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hungary » Fixtures & Results 2005 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/ungarn-team/2005/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Clube Atlético Paranaense|Atlético Paranaense]]||11 January 2006||20 March 2006
{{WDL|8|6|2|0}}
|<ref name=atleticoparanaensejob/><ref name=atleticoparanaenseresignation/>
|-
|[[Maccabi Netanya]]||13 June 2008||29 April 2009
{{WDL|32|14|12|6}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Maccabi Netanya » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maccabi-netanya/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Maccabi Netanya » Fixtures & Results 2008/2009 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maccabi-netanya/2009/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]]||23 September 2010||19 September 2011
{{WDL|10|3|3|4}}
|<ref name=bulgariajob/><ref name="2010 Bulgaria results"/><ref name=bulgariasacking/><ref name="2011 Bulgaria results"/>
|-
! colspan="3"| Total
{{WDLtot|154|72|35|47}}
!
|}

==Honours==
[[File:Jersey of Lothar Matthäus.jpg|thumb|upright|The number 10 Inter Milan jersey of Matthäus in the [[San Siro]] museum]]

===Player===
'''Bayern Munich'''<ref name="vox.de">{{cite web | url = http://www.vox.de/medien/sendungen/lothar-matthaeus-immer-am-ball/22319-11acd6-ac03-17/lothar-matthaeus-erfolge.html | title = Lothar Matthäus' Erfolge | language = de | publisher = vox.de | date = 15 June 2012 | access-date = 2 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="focus.de">{{cite web | url = http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/tid-21735/lothar-matthaeus-die-chronologie-seiner-erfolge-als-spieler_aid_610881.html | title = Die Chronologie seiner Erfolge als Spieler | language = de | publisher = focus.de | access-date = 2 January 2015}}</ref>
* [[Bundesliga]]: [[1984–85 Bundesliga|1984–85]], [[1985–86 Bundesliga|1985–86]], [[1986–87 Bundesliga|1986–87]], [[1993–94 Bundesliga|1993–94]], [[1996–97 Bundesliga|1996–97]], [[1998–99 Bundesliga|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 Bundesliga|1999–2000]]
* [[DFB-Pokal]]: [[1985–86 DFB-Pokal|1985–86]], [[1997–98 DFB-Pokal|1997–98]]
* [[DFB-Ligapokal]]: [[1997 DFB-Ligapokal|1997]], [[1998 DFB-Ligapokal|1998]], [[1999 DFB-Ligapokal|1999]]
* [[DFB-Supercup]]: [[1987 DFB-Supercup|1987]]
* [[UEFA Cup]]: [[1995–96 UEFA Cup|1995–96]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]] runner up: [[1986–87 European Cup|1986–87]], [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League|1998–99]]

'''Inter Milan'''<ref name="vox.de" /><ref name="focus.de" />
* [[Serie A]]: [[1988–89 Serie A|1988–89]]
* [[UEFA Cup]]: [[1990–91 UEFA Cup|1990–91]]

'''MetroStars'''<ref name="vox.de" />
* [[Eastern Conference (MLS)|MLS Eastern Division Champion]]: [[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]]

'''Germany'''
* [[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]<ref name="Soccerway" />
* [[UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/lothar-herbert-matthaus/104144/ | title = L. Matthäus | work=Soccerway | access-date = 2 January 2015}}</ref>
* [[U.S. Cup]]: [[1993 U.S. Cup|1993]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.ie/2017/06/tournaments-part-8-us-cup-1993.html|title=1993 US Cup|date=14 June 2017|work=Soccer Nostalgia |accessdate=25 July 2017}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[Ballon d'Or#Winners|1990]]<ref name="focus.de" />
* [[IFFHS World's Best Player]]: 1990<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/former-results/|title=FORMER RESULTS|access-date=20 January 2015|publisher=IFFHS.de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214702/https://iffhs.de/former-results/|archive-date=15 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[World Soccer Awards Player of the Year]]: 1990
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: [[1991 FIFA World Player of the Year|1991]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |title=FIFA Awards – World Player of the Year – Top 10 |access-date=31 March 2016 |url-status=live |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112042845/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |archive-date=12 January 2016 }}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA World Cup Silver Ball]]: [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/marco-reus-tipped-to-win-golden-ball-germany-world-cup-2018-cacau-507360.jsp|title="World-class Marco Reus will be the player of the tournament" - Cacau|access-date=25 November 2018|publisher=Bundesliga}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: 1990
* [[UEFA European Championship awards#Team of the Tournament|UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament]]: [[UEFA Euro 1988#Awards|1988]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=1625002.html|title=UEFA 1988 Team of the Tournament|work=UEFA.com|access-date=18 March 2015 }}</ref>
* [[Onze d'Or]]: 1990
* [[Onze d'Or|Onze de bronze]]: 1991
* Onze de Onze: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web|last=Pierrend |first=José Luis |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=6 March 2012 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |access-date=26 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[Footballer of the Year (Germany)]]: 1990, 1999<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/540838/artikel_fussballer-des-jahres-seit-1960_die-siegerliste.html | title = Fußballer des Jahres seit 1960: Die Siegerliste | language = de | website = kicker.de | access-date = 26 April 2018}}</ref>
* [[Goal of the Year (Germany)]]: 1990, 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportschau.de/sendung/tdm/archiv/chronik90er/juni1990tdm100.html|title=Juni 1990 - Matthäus|date=12 July 2013|language=de|publisher=Sportschau|access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportschau.de/sendung/tdm/archiv/chronik90er/november1992tdm100.html|title=November 1992 - Matthäus|date=12 July 2013|language=de|publisher=Sportschau|access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref>
* ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' [[Bundesliga]] Team of the Season: 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1993–94<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198283/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1982/83|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198485/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1984/85|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198788/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1987/88|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199293/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1992/93|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199394/startseite.html|title=Bundesliga Historie 1993/94|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref>
* Pirata d'Oro (Inter Milan Player of the Year): 1991<ref>{{cite web|author=Inter.it staff, inter(a t)inter.it |url=http://inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=24665&stringa=%22player%20of%20the%20year%22 |title=F.C. Internazionale Milano |publisher=Inter.it |date=17 November 2006 |access-date=14 October 2017}}</ref>
* [[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[2000 MLS All-Star Game|2000]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2000 |title=2000 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2000-mls-all-star-game-373143 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=28 July 2023}}</ref>
* [[FIFA XI]]: 1996, 1997, 2001<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-xi.html | title = FIFA XI´s Matches – Full Info | website = RSSSF | date = 20 October 2015 | access-date = 25 October 2015 | first = Marcelo | last = Leme de Arruda}}</ref>
* [[FIFA 100]]<ref name="FIFA 100"/>
* [[Golden Foot legends award]]: 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goldenfoot.com/|title=GoldenFoot home |website=Goldenfoot.com|date=24 April 2022|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>
* [[IFFHS Legends]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924082150/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Inter Milan Hall of Fame]]: 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inter.it/it/news/86203/hall-of-fame-ecco-i-4-vincitori-della-prima-edizione |title=HALL OF FAME, ECCO I 4 VINCITORI DELLA PRIMA EDIZIONE |publisher=Inter.it |language=it |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 }}</ref>
* [[FC Bayern Munich#Notable past players|Bayern Munich All-time XI]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2005/04283.php|title=Fans name greatest reds of all time|date=1 June 2005|work=FC Bayern München| access-date = 6 December 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team#First Team|Ballon d'Or Dream Team]]: 2020<ref>{{cite web |last=Crépin |first=Timothé |title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende ! |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |website=[[France Football]] |language=fr |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#All-time Men's Dream Team (2021)|IFFHS All-time Men's B Dream Team]]: 2021<ref name="IFFHS Dream Team">{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1110 |title=IFFHS ALL TIME WORLD MEN'S DREAM TEAM |work=IFFHS |date=22 May 2021 }}</ref>
* [[IFFHS World Team#Men Team of the Century (1901–2000)|IFFHS World Team of the Century]]: 1901-2000
* [[IFFHS World Team#Men Team of the Century (1901–2000)|IFFHS European Team of the Century]]: 1901-2000

===Manager===
'''Partizan'''
* [[Serbian SuperLiga]]: [[2002–03 First League of Serbia and Montenegro|2002–03]]

==See also==
*[[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]
*[[FIFA World Cup awards]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.lotharmatthaeus.de/}} {{in lang|de}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|title=[[Germany national football team|Germany]] captain|before=[[Klaus Allofs]]|after=[[Andreas Brehme]]||years=1987–1992}}
{{succession box|title=[[Germany national football team|Germany]] captain|before=Andreas Brehme|after=[[Jürgen Klinsmann]]||years=1992–1995}}
{{succession box|title=[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] captain|before=[[Raimond Aumann]]|after=[[Thomas Helmer]]||years=1994–1997}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{1990 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{UEFA Euro 1988 Team of the Tournament}}
{{FIFA World Cup Winning Captain}}
{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}
{{FIFA World Player of the Year winners}}
{{IFFHS World's Best Man Player}}
{{Onze Mondial European Footballer of the Year}}
{{German Footballer of the Year}}
{{German Player Association}}
{{Pirata d'Oro}}
{{1982–83 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{1984–85 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{1987–88 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{1992–93 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{1993–94 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Golden Foot Legends Award}}
{{UEFA Europa League winning captains}}
{{Ballon d'Or Dream Team}}
{{IFFHS Men's European Team of the 20th Century}}
{{IFFHS All-time Men's World Dream Team}}
{{FC Bayern Munich Hall of Fame}}
{{Inter Milan Hall of Fame}}
}}

{{Navboxes
| title = West Germany/Germany squads
| bg = white
| fg = black
| bordercolor = black
| list1 = 
{{West Germany squad UEFA Euro 1980}}
{{West Germany squad 1982 FIFA World Cup}}
{{West Germany squad UEFA Euro 1984}}
{{West Germany squad 1986 FIFA World Cup}}
{{West Germany squad UEFA Euro 1988}}
{{West Germany squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Germany squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Germany squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Germany squad 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Germany squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{SK Rapid Wien managers}}
{{FK Partizan managers}}
{{Hungary national football team managers}}
{{Clube Atlético Paranaense managers}}
{{Bulgaria national football team managers}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matthaus, Lothar}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Erlangen]]
[[Category:Footballers from Middle Franconia]]
[[Category:German men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football sweepers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football utility players]]
[[Category:Borussia Mönchengladbach players]]
[[Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers]]
[[Category:Inter Milan players]]
[[Category:New York Red Bulls players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:World Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Ballon d'Or winners]]
[[Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Germany men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:Germany men's international footballers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1980 players]]
[[Category:1982 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1984 players]]
[[Category:1986 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1988 players]]
[[Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1999 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:German expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:German football managers]]
[[Category:SK Rapid Wien managers]]
[[Category:FK Partizan managers]]
[[Category:Hungary national football team managers]]
[[Category:Club Athletico Paranaense managers]]
[[Category:FC Red Bull Salzburg managers]]
[[Category:Maccabi Netanya F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Bulgaria national football team managers]]
[[Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga managers]]
[[Category:Serbian SuperLiga managers]]
[[Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A managers]]
[[Category:Israeli Premier League managers]]
[[Category:German expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Austria]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Serbia]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Hungary]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Brazil]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Israel]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Austria]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Serbia]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Hungary]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Brazil]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Israel]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:West German expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:West German expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:West German men's footballers]]