Matthias Sammer

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1990-0602-009, 1. FC Dynamo Dresden - PSV Schwerin 2-1.jpg trophy]]

Sammer started his career at Dynamo Dresden when he joined the club's youth team as a nine-year-old in 1976.{{cite news|url= http://bundesligafanatic.com/news-sammer-replaces-nerlinger-at-bayern-munchen/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130216045357/http://bundesligafanatic.com/news-sammer-replaces-nerlinger-at-bayern-munchen/|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 16 February 2013|title=Sammer replaces Nerlinger at Bayern München|date =2 July 2012|publisher= bundesligafanatic | access-date = 30 March 2013 | first = Gerry | last = Wittmann}} He made his debut for the senior team under the management of his father, Klaus Sammer, in the 1985–86 season. Playing as a striker, he scored eight goals in his first season as Dynamo finished fifth in the DDR-Oberliga. After being moved to the left wing the following season by new manager Eduard Geyer, he eventually found his place in central midfield during the 1987–88 season.

In the 1988–89 season, Sammer was part of the Dynamo Dresden team which won the East German championship. The same season the club also reached the semi-final of the UEFA Cup where they were knocked out by West German club VfB Stuttgart. The following year Dynamo won the league and cup double, defending the DDR-Oberliga title and also winning the 1990 FDGB-Pokal.

Sammer was formally an officer of the Volkspolizei, as a player of Dynamo Dresden. He enrolled into the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment as a 19-year-old. Many players of Dynamo Dresden were assigned to the regiment for their military service. Sammer then served as a non-commissioned officer in the Guards Regiment for three years from 1987,{{cite news |last=Leimert |first=Jochen |date=21 December 2017 |title=Dynamo und die Stasi: Warum Matthias Sammer nur zwei Tage "diente" |url=https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/dynamo-und-die-stasi-warum-matthias-sammer-nur-zwei-tage-diente/ |language=German |newspaper=Sportbuzzer |location=Hannover |publisher=Sportbuzzer GmbH |access-date=25 December 2012 |archive-date=23 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223230419/http://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/dynamo-und-die-stasi-warum-matthias-sammer-nur-zwei-tage-diente/ |url-status=dead }} holding the rank of sergeant in the Stasi.{{cite news |author= |date=20 December 2017 |title=Warum Matthias Sammer in seiner Stasi-Akte als Täter geführt wird |url=https://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/als-junger-profi-von-dynamo-dresden-warum-matthias-sammer-in-seiner-stasi-akte-als-taeter-gefuehrt-wird_id_8029700.html |language=German |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |accessdate=25 December 2021 }} The President of SV Dynamo was the head of the Stasi Erich Mielke. Sammer has explained that he would not have been able to continue to play football for Dynamo Dresden if he had refused to serve with the Guards Regiment and that he never saw any weapon or took part in any military exercise. He has described his employment with the Guard Regiment as an alibi to play football to Dynamo Dresden.

In the summer of 1990, Sammer joined VfB Stuttgart of the Bundesliga. Sammer scored 11 times in his debut season as Stuttgart finished sixth in the Bundesliga. The following year Sammer scored nine goals, helping Stuttgart to become the first champions of the reunified Germany.

After two seasons at Stuttgart, Sammer joined Italian club Inter Milan for the 1992–93 Serie A season. Though he was a success on the pitch, scoring four times in 11 appearances, including a goal against Juventus in the Derby d'Italia, Sammer failed to adapt to the Italian lifestyle and returned to Germany in January 1993.

In the winter break of the 1992–93 season, Sammer signed for Borussia Dortmund. He made 17 Bundesliga appearances in the second half of the season, scoring ten times.

The following season, Sammer was moved from midfield into the libero position by Dortmund coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. This move proved to be successful as Dortmund won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 1994–95 and 1995–96, followed by the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League, with Sammer lifting the European Cup as captain after beating Juventus 3–1 in the final at Munich's Olympiastadion.

Soon after winning the Champions League, Sammer's career was cut short by injury. He made only three further Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund before suffering a serious knee injury which he failed to recover from and retired in 1998.{{cite news|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/euro-2012/players/legends/190742-euro-legends-matthias-sammer|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419122432/http://sports.ndtv.com/euro-2012/players/legends/190742-euro-legends-matthias-sammer|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2013|title=Euro Legends: Matthias Sammer|date=26 May 2012|access-date=30 March 2013}}

In addition to the two Bundesliga titles and one Champions League, Sammer also led Dortmund to two DFB-Supercups, in 1995 and 1996. Sammer himself was named Footballer of the Year (Germany) in both 1995 and 1996 and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1996, making him the first defender to win the Ballon d'Or since Franz Beckenbauer in 1976.

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1986-1119-031, Leipzig, Mannschaftsfoto DDR-Nationalmannschaft.jpg]]

Sammer represented the GDR at every age group. He was part of the East German squads which won the 1986 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship and finished third at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship.

In November 1986, he made his debut for the full East Germany national football team in a UEFA Euro 1988 qualifier against France at Zentralstadion in Leipzig.

On 12 September 1990, Sammer captained East Germany in its final match. He scored both goals as the GDR beat Belgium 2–0 in Brussels.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35169108|title=The East German team that refused to die|date=28 December 2015|publisher=BBC | access-date = 28 December 2015 | first = Tim | last = Mansel}}

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1990-0404-025, SG Dynamo Dresden, Matthias Sammer.jpg

On 19 December 1990, Sammer debuted for the newly formed unified Germany national football team, which was mostly made up of the West Germany team that had won the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The match was played at his home stadium in Stuttgart and Germany ran out 4–0 winners against Switzerland.

Sammer was a member of the German squad for UEFA Euro 1992, where the team was beaten in the final by Denmark.{{cite web |title=Gatecrashing Denmark down Germany |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7b301f026e-4388f32eaa87-1000--gatecrashing-denmark-down-germany-in-euro-1992-final/ |publisher=UEFA |date=5 October 2003 |access-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621082724/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1992/matches/round=217/match=6098/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-date=21 June 2012 |url-status=live }} He was also selected for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as Germany was surprisingly knocked out by the underdog Bulgaria at the quarter-final stage.

In UEFA Euro 1996, Sammer played in the libero role he had been converted to at Borussia Dortmund. He scored the opening goal in Germany's second group match against Russia and the winning goal against Croatia in the quarter-final. After Germany defeated the Czech Republic in the final, Sammer was named Player of the Tournament.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/477/euro-2012/2012/06/04/3145395/euro-1996-legends-matthias-sammer-germany|title=Euro 1996 Legends: Matthias Sammer, Germany|date=4 June 2012|publisher=Goal}}

On 7 June 1997, Sammer played his final match for Germany in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Kyiv. He did not take part at the 1998 FIFA World Cup due to injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-17-sp-50877-story.html |title=Quotes Already Kick-Starting World Cup '98 |work=Los Angeles Times |last1=Jones |first1=Grahame L. |date=17 May 1998 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}

Sammer usually played as a sweeper during the height of his career, in particular in later years, although he was also capable of playing in several midfield and offensive roles; indeed, he was often deployed further up the pitch earlier in his career, including in a holding role, as an attacking midfielder, as a central midfielder, as a left winger, as a deep-lying playmaker, or even as a striker on occasion, courtesy of his technique, stamina, passing ability, and vision. Although he was not the most physically gifted defender, due to his slender frame, he was regarded as a world class player in his position, in particular due to his intelligence and positional sense, while he was also able to improve his tackling ability as his career progressed. Despite his more defensive playing role, he was also a talented and energetic player, who was known for his eye for goal, athleticism, elegance, finesse, and offensive capabilities, and had a penchant for undertaking individual forward runs with the ball towards the opposing penalty area. Beyond his skills as a footballer, he was also known as an influential player and a commanding presence on the pitch, who stood out for his charismatic leadership qualities, determination, bravery, and composure under pressure. Despite his ability and reputation as one of the greatest sweepers of all time, however, he was also known to be prone to injuries, which ultimately forced him to retire from professional football at the age of 31.{{efn|See{{cite web |url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/le-meteore/sammer-il-pallone-d-oro-allergico-all-italia-436170 |title=Sammer, il pallone d'oro allergico all'Italia |publisher=tuttomercatoweb.com |language=it |last1=Mocciaro |first1=Gaetano |date=2 April 2013 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://thefalse9.com/2017/02/matthias-sammer-dortmund-bayern.html |title=Forgotten Superstars-Matthias Sammer |publisher=The False 9 |last1=Bradley |first1=Cain |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1176000-world-football-101-an-introduction-to-players-positions |title=World Football 101: An Introduction to Player's Positions |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Gautam |first1=Bimersha |date=8 May 2012 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1783912-the-20-most-intimidating-defenders-in-bundesliga-history |title=The 20 Most Intimidating Defenders in Bundesliga History |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Whitney |first1=Clark |date=4 October 2013 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/name/481/blog/post/1880996/headline |title=German order falls to Philipp Lahm |publisher=ESPN |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/matthias-sammer_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/ |title=SAMMER, Matthias in "Enciclopedia dello Sport" |publisher=treccani.it |language=it-IT |last1=Valdiserri |first1=Luca |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/sports/soccer/world-cup-2014-a-24-year-overhaul-puts-germany-back-on-top.html |title=On This Day, 'Miracle Boy' Götze Was Better Than Messi |work=The New York Times |last1=Hughes |first1=Rob |date=14 July 2014 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world_cup_98/teams/germany/players/85619.stm |title=Key Player – Matthias Sammer |publisher=BBC News |date=3 May 1998 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/sammer-discord-can-important-1643811 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608235524/https://www.fifa.com/news/sammer-discord-can-important-1643811 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 June 2021 |title=Sammer: Discord can be important |publisher=FIFA |date=4 June 2012 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/0000252691.jsp |title=From skinny striker to world-class sweeper |publisher=bundesliga.com |access-date=8 June 2021 }}}}

After retirement, Sammer became head coach of Borussia Dortmund on 1 July 2000.{{cite news|title=Matthias Sammer wird neuer Chef-Coach|url= https://www.kicker.de/matthias-sammer-wird-neuer-chef-coach-229542/artikel|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=30 May 2000|language=de}} Sammer led Borussia Dortmund to another Bundesliga title in 2002. His team reached the 2001–02 UEFA Cup final the same year but lost 2–3 against Feyenoord. Sammer was sacked at the end of the 2003–04 season after Dortmund finished in sixth place.

Sammer returned to VfB Stuttgart as head coach for the 2004–05 season.{{cite news|title=Perfekt: Sammer beerbt Magath|url= https://www.kicker.de/perfekt_sammer-beerbt-magath-299619/artikel|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=31 May 2004|language=de}} Despite finishing one point off a Champions League qualifying position, Sammer left the club on 3 June 2005.{{cite news|title=VfB trennt sich von Sammer|url= https://www.kicker.de/vfb-trennt-sich-von-sammer-315934/artikel|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=3 June 2005}}

On 1 April 2006, he was appointed technical director of German Football Association (DFB), on a five-year contract. The position was new in the DFB at the time and had been initiated by national coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who undertook major structural reforms in the DFB during his short time of two years as a coach, with an impact lasting much longer than his actual term. The position included responsibility for the national youth teams, focusing on young talents between the ages of eleven and eighteen, as well as incorporating the latest developments in sports science into the DFB's training theories. Sammer was also expected to work on a tactical system for all of Germany's national sides in close co-operation with national coach Joachim Löw. He is credited of having led the declining quality of German football from its worst era at the beginning of the 2000s to new success through several talented players developed in the restructured youth system.

On 2 July 2012, he took over as Sporting Director of Bayern Munich and replaced Christian Nerlinger, who had been released following Bayern's treble losses in Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League and because of his strained relationship with the club.{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.telekom.de/en/news/news/2012/35584.php | title = Matthias Sammer appointed Sport Director | publisher = FC Bayern Munich | date = 2 July 2012 | access-date = 2 July 2012}} As Sporting Director, Sammer was a member of the management board responsible for the professional playing staff of the club.

In his first season, Sammer orchestrated FC Bayern's turnaround to the first treble in club history by claiming the 2012–13 Bundesliga, the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League and the 2012–13 DFB-Pokal in record-setting fashion. In the next years three consecutive Bundesliga championships and two cup wins followed.

In spring 2016, he had a "minute circulatory disorder in the brain"{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2016/statement-sporting-director-matthias-sammer-240416.php | title = Sporting director Matthias Sammer | website = FC Bayern Munich | date = 24 April 2016 | access-date = 10 July 2016}} and had to take a break from his work. During his recovery, he gained a new perspective on his work and family life and asked FC Bayern to release him from his position as sporting director which they granted.{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2016/press-release-matthias-sammer-leaves-fc-bayern.php | title = Matthias Sammer leaves FC Bayern at his own request | website = FC Bayern Munich | date = 10 July 2016 | access-date = 10 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/sammer-und-bayern-muenchen-beenden-zusammenarbeit-149893/|title=Matthias Sammer und Bayern München beenden Zusammenarbeit|date=10 July 2016|work=dfb.de}} Afterwards Munich continued working without any sporting director for a year before they presented Hasan Salihamidžić as his replacement.

Following this he effectively retired, initially working as a pundit for Eurosport for a while but ruling out to continue this in the future. In 2018, he started to work part-time as an adviser for Borussia Dortmund, meeting with the club for talks every two weeks, and is regularly seen sitting next to Dortmund's management during matches.

Sammer is married and has three children, Sarah, Marvin, and Leon. He lives in Munich, Germany.{{cite web | url = https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/sport/matthias-sammer-das-ist-lebensfreude-trotz-aller-anstrengung-1.3586704 | title = "Das ist Lebensfreude - trotz aller Anstrengung" | language = de | website = Süddeutsche Zeitung | date = 13 July 2017 | access-date = 21 December 2023}} He is the son of Klaus Sammer, a former player and manager of Dynamo Dresden.{{cite news |title=Klaus Sammer: Glaube nicht, dass Matthias es machen würde |url=https://www.welt.de/newsticker/sport-news/article178448130/Fussball-Klaus-Sammer-Glaube-nicht-dass-Matthias-es-machen-wuerde.html |work=Die Welt |date=29 June 2018 |language=German}}

::Scores and results table. Germany's goal tally first:{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sammer-intl.html | title = Matthias Sammer – International Appearances | language = de | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | date = 3 October 2004 | access-date = 2 July 2012 | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold}}

{{updated|30 January 2014}}

Dynamo Dresden

• DDR-Oberliga: 1988–89, 1989–90
• FDGB-Pokal: 1989–90

VfB Stuttgart

• Bundesliga: 1991–92

Borussia Dortmund

• Bundesliga: 1994–95, 1995–96
• DFB-Supercup: 1995, 1996
• UEFA Champions League: 1996–97
• Intercontinental Cup: 1997

Germany

• UEFA European Championship: 1996; runner-up: 1992
• U.S. Cup: 1993

Individual

• kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1990–91, 1994–95{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199091/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018185816/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199091/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1990/91|language=de|publisher=kicker}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199495/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018190450/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199495/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1994/95|language=de|publisher=kicker}}
• ESM Team of the Year: 1994–95
• Footballer of the Year in Germany: 1995, 1996
• kicker Bundesliga-best libero: 1995, 1996
• kicker Bundesliga-best midfielder: 1993
• UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament: 1996
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1996
• Onze de Bronze: 1996
• Ballon d'Or: 1996
• World Soccer: The 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time

Borussia Dortmund

• Bundesliga: 2001–02
• DFB-Ligapokal runner-up: 2003
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2001–02

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Category:1967 births

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