Date: August 17th 2009
Author: Val Migliaccio
From: Fox Sports

Germany's 1990 World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus has announced his intention to coach the new Melbourne A-League franchise from 2010.

Matthaus, 48, revealed to his friend, former Adelaide United striker Paul Agostino, that he wanted the A-League on his extensive coaching CV.

"I am definitely interested in coaching an A-League side," Matthaus said.
"I am keen to coach a club which has ambitions and a good set-up which has scope for a good future."

Agostino, who works as a talent scout with Apertura Sports, revealed he had instigated talks with new Melbourne franchise director Joe Mirabella on Matthaus's behalf.

Mirabella, who has made a fortune through his lighting business, will this week take Matthaus's proposal to the board and new chief executive Scott Munn.
"Lothar Matthaus is a footballing legend," Agostino said.

"He has said the reason he wants to coach in Australia is not because of financial interest.

"He wants an opportunity to be part of a good future footballing culture.
"His presence will give the game another massive boost, not to mention the potential sponsors who want to get behind his good name."

And Matthaus's influence may help secure Melbourne's second A-League club -- known as Melbourne Heart -- a major sports investment company as the club's prime sponsor, Agostino added.

Matthaus and Agostino were rivals in the Bundesliga's battle of Munich in the 1990s.
Matthaus headlined Bayern Munich's line-up, while Agostino was TSV 1860 Munich's key striker.

Matthaus, regarded as one of the top 10 best midfielders of all time, had recent managerial stints with Rapid Vienna in Austria, the Hungarian national team, Partizan Belgrade in Serbia and Austria's Red Bull Salzburg after winning FIFA's World Player of the Year in 1991.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,25938979-23215,00.html