5 of the best Player-Manager combinations of all time in football

#4 Lothar Matthaus-Franz Beckenbauer

Lothar Matthaus and Franz Beckenbauer were two of the best

The two greatest players Germany have ever produced combined to make their national team a great force in world football. Beckenbauer was the German coach in the 1986 World Cup and they reached the final.

They fought tremendously but lost 2-3 to an Argentine team inspired by Diego Maradona. Lothar Matthaus was given the responsibility to man-mark Maradona and did a wonderful job till the dying minutes of the match when Maradona delivered a through ball to Burruchaga, who finished superbly to win the match.

Those two again combined in the 1990 World Cup and this time won the tournament for the Germans. Matthaus played as an attacking midfielder in the tournament and scored 4 goals.

He did not win the Golden Ball but was widely recognized as the best player of the World Cup by football experts worldwide. Germany’s football was typically efficient and almost faultless in 1990.

Matthaus lifted the World Cup as the German captain and Beckenbauer became the first man to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta