By Andrew Lord
22 April 2022
The Rudolf-Dassler-Sportfeld bears little resemblance to the Olympiastadion in Munich or the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but on 13th May 2018, it took on great significance for Lothar Matthäus as he closed the curtain on his career as a player with FC Herzogenaurach. The midfield general began his career playing for the youth team of FC Herzogenaurach, who play in the sixth tier of German football and had already secured the league title in their previous game.
The 57-year-old midfielder played 50 minutes of the 3-0 victory against SpVgg Hüttenbach-Simmelsdorf at Rudolf-Dassler-Sportfeld. The ground is named after Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler, who was the founder of the German sportswear company Puma and the older brother of Adolf “Adi” Dassler, who founded Adidas.
“The team did really well, despite the handicap of having Lothar Matthäus in the team,” said Matthäus after the match. He had played for all of the youth teams at FC Herzogenaurach, before signing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1979, where, as an 18-year-old, he earned a first-team place under Jupp Heynckes. Matthäus said: “50 years ago, my career began on this pitch. I played my first competitive match here, and this is where my last one should take place. I want to give something back.”
Matthäus, who looked in great shape, struggled somewhat with his limited range of mobility and tried to function as a playmaker in defensive midfield: “When I had possession of the ball, I tried to introduce some artistry. Otherwise, I was not able to help much from a sporting perspective.”
He concentrated on directing his teammates and managed to register a shot on goal, a free-kick from 20 metres just before the half-time break which was comfortably saved by SpVgg Hüttenbach-Simmelsdorf keeper Tobias Scherrbacher.
For his comeback in Herzogenaurach, a suburb of the city of Nuremberg, Matthäus had his player’s licence forwarded from Leipzig. In 2005, he made an appearance for Lokomotive Leipzig at the age of 44 in order to support football in East Germany. He played 76 minutes in the semi-final of the city cup. But the decision to end his career at Herzogenaurach was a personal matter: “It was always my wish to play my last competitive match here. I had a great career, but it all began here,” said the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder.
Back to his roots
Matthäus played his first games in the youth team for Herzogenaurach in 1971 and was top scorer every season until 1975. “In those days when the first team played, I supplemented my pocket money by selling beer and lemonade,” he said.
The midfielder went on to conquer the football world, after playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, he joined Bayern Munich in 1984. He signed for Inter Milan in 1988 and, after returning to Munich in 1992, he ended his career with the New York MetroStars in 2000. He won the Bundesliga title seven times with Bayern Munich, the UEFA-Cup twice, with Bayern and Inter Milan, and won the European Championships and the World Cup with West Germany. His 150 appearances for the national team make him Germany’s most-capped player.
The crowd at Herzogenaurach on 13th May 2018 also included the Bavarian State Minister for the Interior Joachim Herrmann and DFB Vice President Rainer Koch. Minutes after he was brought off, he told reporters: “That was a wonderful end to my career. As soon as I came here, the memories started flooding back.” He had played for Herzogenaurach in the Bavarian League while completing his apprenticeship as an interior designer.
“Well over 2000, perhaps even 2500,” said FC Herzogenaurach sports director Rudi Litz, when asked about the attendance: “It seems like 30 years since we had more than 1000 fans at a home game.”
As Matthäus returned to his roots, he didn’t make a fuss, he didn’t make any demands: “I wanted to be part of the team, even though all of my teammates are young enough to be my children.” While he didn’t want the number 10 shirt or the captain’s armband, he was given both for his comeback, which marked the official end of his career.
“We have a great deal to thank Lothar for, he has given us something very special with this appearance, many people will remember it,” said club captain Eric Stübing.” Lothar Matthäus and the number 10 shirt simply belong together,” said Kevin Rockwell, who usually wears the number 10 for FC Herzogenaurach.
“Amateur football will certainly gain attention from this and that is really great,” said Matthäus: “But that is just secondary. Today I come full circle.”
Giving something back
“Even with all his success, Lothar Matthäus never forgot where he came from and where his roots are,” said President of the Bavarian Football Association Rainer Koch. He added: “This game today demonstrates that professionals and amateurs stand together and need each other. Lothar Matthäus is well-aware of this.”
And the World Champion of 1990 is proud to give something back to the club: “I’m delighted when I see that the turnstile operator is pleased with a few extra Euros.”
Matthäus was replaced by Nils Danhof. “An emotional moment,” said Matthäus, though he admitted that “the second half was better without me.” With the score goalless at the break, the district league champions moved up another gear in the second half with goals from Kevin Rockwell, Jochen Staniszewski and Alexander Ronneburg to ensure a 3-0 victory.
“I’m a few years older than the rest of them,” the World Champion said later, “which is why I ran more with my head. Bayern München also run a lot with their heads and won the Bundesliga.”
“That was my last competitive game. It was fun, just like it was when I played for the youth team.”
© Andrew Lord 2022
German Football 