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In the context of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s 75th birthday, online portal t-online spoke to Matthias Sammer (56). Sammer, an important figure in German football, was, among other things, sports director of the DFB. He currently works as an advisor at Borussia Dortmund. «Hitzfeld was an excellent coach, an extraordinary person and trainer. He was and is a role model for me,” the 56-year-old says enthusiastically in the interview, in which he also talks about the time he spent with Franz Beckenbauer (†78).
“One of the most important companions in my life”
The football legend who died on Monday was – just like Hitzfeld – one of Sammer’s closest people. The two had a special bond, a deep friendship. Sammer: “Beckenbauer was my absolute role model, previously my football idol.” His friend’s death affected him accordingly.
When the two got to know each other better in 2012, when Sammer came to FC Bayern Munich, he was overwhelmed by Beckenbauer’s humanity. «He was wonderful, so special and at the same time gifted with naturalness and humanity. He was also a certain protective shield for me and always defended me. He was a very special person.”
“This is hypocrisy”
Sammer praises his friend, but also knows that he made a mistake and mentions the 2006 World Cup. The tournament at that time brought Beckenbauer to Germany as OC boss. The joy at this point: enormous. Beckenbauer crowned his hero status. Years later, the joy turned into criticism because Beckenbauer came under suspicion of corruption, according to a 2015 report in Spiegel.
Sammer defends his former friend. He even sniffs: “Germany has failed. He won the World Cup as a player and as a coach and then did everything he could to make it to Germany. We all sent Franz Beckenbauer forward and we all knew the corrupt system and demands this FIFA council would ultimately have to deal with him with.
His compatriots lashed out at Beckenbauer after the allegations became public. Sammer thinks it is wrong: “Attacking him like this because he had to work somewhere on this system is hypocrisy and it hurts me very, very much,” the 56-year-old concluded. “I’m somewhat ashamed of what we, this entire country and our media did to him.”
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
