"Red" Matthias

When Borussia Dortmund pipped Bayer Leverkusen for the German Championship in 2002 the smile on the face of their coach, the 1996 European player of the year Matthias Sammer, told an uplifting story.

Sammer, whose brilliant playing career had been cut short by injury, had put one over on his cruel destiny by making the grade as a coach.

(FILES) This file picture dated 23 July 1996 shows German player Matthias Sammer during the "Euro 96" quarter final match against Croatia in Manchester. National team sweeper and German champion Borussia Dortmund player, Sammer, will presumably receive the "European Player of the year" award in Paris 23 December. Sammer started his career in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) playing for Dynamo Dresden, and joined the united German national soccer team after the German reunion.

Falling victim to a serious injury on his left knee in 1997, he retired from the game that he had historically dominated on both sides of the German border. That year, he underwent his fifth operation and since then he has rarely touched a ball.

He began his career under the watchful eye of his father Klaus at his home town club Dinamo Dresden. In 1990, after the Berlin wall was pulled down, he crossed over to the West and began a spell at VfB Stuttgart.

Having made history by scoring a brace during East Germany's final match against Belgium (2-2), "Red Matthias" became the first "Ossi" (the nickname given to East Berliners) to wear the unified Germany strip on December 19, 1990.

In Beckenbauer's footsteps

The flame-haired midfielder enjoyed an exceptional career, during which he had abandoned the flanks for a position as sweeper.

His new role was perfectly suited to his technique and elegant style of play, and reminded aficionados of Franz Beckenbauer, whose own transition from the middle to the back line was highly similar.

Having won the German league title with Stuttgart in 1992, he returned to triumph in 1995 and 1996 after spending what turned out to be a less productive few months with Inter Milan in 1992.

It was not until 1996, however, that he fulfilled his potential, helping Germany to become European champions, and winning the European footballer of the year award.

In doing so, Sammer became the first defender to receive the award since... Beckenbauer.

Sammer had the final pleasure of adding a Champions League title to his honours list with Borussia Dortmund in 1997.

(FILES) This file picture dated 08 October 1995 shows German soccer player Matthias Sammer receiving the 1995 German soccer player of the year trophy in Leverkusen, Germany. Sammer, who is currently playing with Borussia Dortmund, will presumably receive the 1996 European soccer player of the year trophy in Paris 23 December.

When Sammer was appointed coach at Dortmund in 2000 there was an outcry from the dresssing room. But Sammer was equal to the challenge and he saved the club from relegation that season.

By 2002 Sammer's Dortmund side had become a major force in Germany, lifting the League title and reaching the final of the UEFA Cup, where they were beaten by Dutch outfit Feyenoord in a 3-2 thriller.