Lothar Matthäus ~ "The Bundesliga atmosphere is unique"

[Freddy Adu]

"The Bundesliga atmosphere is unique"

Lothar Matthäus is one of the most brilliant figures in German football. The legendary player and coach in an interview with bundesliga.de.

bundesliga.de: Lothar Matthäus, you consider yourself a child of the Bundesliga. Is there any one moment that immediately comes to mind.

Lothar Matthäus: Of course, I remember my first match in the Bundesliga, the first championships. I have a lot of fond memories. But of course there are also the defeats.

bundesliga.de: What is so exciting about the Bundesliga?

Matthäus: Football is a game I've had fun playing since I was a little kid. The Bundesliga is very exciting mainly because there are so many surprises every season, positive and negative surprises. The stadiums are also the best in the world. That wasn't necessarily the case in my time. I also think the atmosphere of the Bundesliga is something unique.

bundesliga.de: You have also had a lot of stints abroad as a player and coach. Was there any one place that had a special effect on you?

Matthäus: It wasn't only where I was. It's the fact that my past coaches - and they were very renowned coaches - contributed a lot to the way I now coach, how I present myself and how I relate to players.

bundesliga.de: You were very emotional as a player. What type of coach is Lothar Matthäus?

Matthäus: Of course there's a difference between being a player and a coach. That's something I've learned in the past five, six years, not only because I'm older but because I work in a different position. You're a role model as a player, but as a coach that's even more the case.

bundesliga.de: When will we see you as a coach in the Bundesliga?

Matthäus: I'm often asked that and I always say that I'm excited about the Bundesliga and I'm also prepared to take on the responsibility. I know the league and keep up. But it's not all up to me whether I work in Germany. It's also up to the people who run the clubs. I would be eager to have the opportunity to coach at a club that was seeking the qualities I possess.

bundesliga.de: Is the current Bayern squad the best of all time?

Matthäus: Bayern München learned from last year. This year was also perhaps good for the future of FC Bayern, in that they took some clear steps and made investments.

bundesliga.de: What is the effect on the Bundesliga?

Matthäus: Taking a step like this isn't just good for FC Bayern. It's good for the whole of the Bundesliga. The way FC Bayern played for long stretches in the first leg excited fans who are not necessarily partial to Bayern. And so that was a step forward in their play and also a positive contribution to their image.

[portista7]

I also think the atmosphere of the Bundesliga is something unique.

i agree, the atmosphere and stadia of bundesliga could help it catch up with italy, spain and england.