The legendary German footballer Lothar Matthäus has disclosed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) contacted him to lead the Black Stars in 2005 or 2006. Despite conversations, Matthäus eventually failed to land the job.
Matthäus said, “Ghana approached me for the coaching role in 2005 or 2006,” in an interview with 3Sports. Although we were in contact, the closing stages of the conversations did not go as planned for whatever reason.
They may have had a long list of candidates, and I may have been one of them. Despite being passed up for the coaching position, Matthäus has remained closely connected to Ghana. He gained notoriety on Tuesday when he was named the new co-owner of Ghana Premier League team Accra Lions.
The trio, which also includes agent Oliver Konig and Ghanaian footballer Frank Acheampong, adds a plethora of experience, know-how, and international renown to the club, promising an exhilarating new chapter for Accra Lions.
Lothar Matheus expressed his delight while inspiring the players to do more.
“I like to spend all my time in football. I want to give back to the community.
“I want to help with my experience. We know the football a bit longer than you so you can always come to me or anyone else in the team,” he said.
“You’re very professional. You’re all very talented from what I saw in training. The facilities were very good and I want to make sure we improve it even more.
“Beating Aduana Stars after a rough patch in form is the kind of mentality I like. That’s why I’m here.”
Among the dignitaries present at the event which was held in Accra was the president of the Ghana Football Association Kurt Okraku who commended the club and wished them good luck.
“We can see a vision unfolding. The partners Oliver König and Lothar Matthäus are winners so the club will become winners. Essentially, Ghana football will become a winner,” Okraku remarked.
“Accra Lions have an identity. They play the kind of football I want to watch. They have the right level of investment in every aspect of the club.”
“The good environment we have created in Ghana football has enabled and encouraged people to invest in Ghana football.”
Lothar Matthäus biography
Lothar Herbert Matthäus is a German football pundit and former professional player and manager. After captaining West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup where he lifted the World Cup trophy, he 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 in 2020.
Up until the 2018 World Cup, when Mexico’s Rafael Márquez tied his record, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi also tied it, Matthäus held the record for having played in the most FIFA World Cups, along with Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998).
He also participated in the 1984, 1988, and 2000 UEFA European Championships and won the UEFA Euro in 1980. After winning the honour in 1990, Matthäus again received the vote for German Footballer of the Year in 1999, this time at the age of 38.
