FUSSBALL
Anzeige
German defender's future with U.S. club uncertain

Freitag, 6. Oktober 2000 / 14:59 Uhr

East Rutherford - Lothar Matthaeus' future with the New York-New Jersey MetroStars is uncertain, and he reportedly is a candidate for a coaching job in Italy.

Just a day before the MetroStars were to play the Chicago Fire in a game that would decide which team advanced to the MLS Cup, the German newspaper Bild on Thursday reported that Matthaeus was being considered for a job as Inter Milan's head coach. Matthaeus refused to comment on the report before boarding a flight to Chicago, MetroStars spokesman John Neves said. Matthaeus' contract with U.S. Major League Soccer ends after this season. "I have no plans for the future," Matthaeus said. "I only have plans for the next 10 days. I want to win the semifinal in Chicago and then I hope we can win the final. "After the final, I don't have a contract with another team," he added. "I haven't spoken to MLS yet. I am free now and this is a nice feeling for me. If someone is interested in me he can come to me or call me." Matthaeus joined the MetroStars this year after an outstanding career in Germany. However, his first season in the league has been marked by injuries and disagreements with management. The MetroStars actually played their best soccer this season when Matthaeus was sidelined. Matthaeus has played well in the playoffs, and he might have played his best game of the season in a 2-0 semifinal series victory over the Fire on Saturday night. "Soccer is growing in America and I hope the level goes up, too. For American soccer, it's very important," Matthaeus said. "The women's soccer is the best in the world. And the men's soccer can be in the group with Brazil and Italy in the next 10 years. There must be a good organization for the youth teams and not only for the first division so that there can be good practice and learning for the young guys." (AP)