The provider

West German forward Rudi Voeller (L) heads the ball over Argentinian defender Oscar Ruggeri as forward Juergen Klinsmann looks on during the World Cup final between West Germany and Argentina 08 July 1990 in Rome. West Germany beat the defending world champions 1-0 on a late penalty kick by defender Andreas Brehme to capture their third world title after 1954 and 1974. AFP PHOTO/GEORGES GOBET

Rudi Voller is one of the all-time greats of German football thanks to a playing career in the 1980s and 1990s when Germany were a major force in the game.

He is also given great credit for coaching a moderately talented Germany to the 2002 World Cup final.

Instantly reconisable with his blond moustache and long, curly locks, Voller was a past master at scoring important goals, especially when Germany had their backs to the wall.

Born in Hanau, east of Frankfurt, he began his top-class football career with 1860 Munich, Bayern's rivals, before moving north to Werder Bremen.

His strength and talent attracted Italian club AS Roma, and this new football environment honed Voller's natural ability.

World Cup Glory

And it was at Italia '90 where Voller enjoyed World Cup success, with West Germany.

West German forward Rudi Voeller (L) ties the score at 2 on a header past Argentinian goalkeeper Alberto Pumpido (C) during the World Cup final 29 June 1986 in Mexico City. Argentinian Jose Luis Burruchaga scored three minutes later to give Argentina a 3-2 victory and its second World title after 1978. AFP PHOTO

He had played in his first World Cup during the 1986 tournament in Mexico, but despite scoring two crucial goals in the big games West Germany lost out to Argentina in the final (3-2).

After five seasons in Italy he joined Bernard Tapie's Marseille in France where he won the European Cup and the French Championship before a match fixing scandal hit the Mediterranean outfit and he moved on again.

Voller decided to end his playing days at Bayer Leverkusen, who appointed him as director of football once he'd hung up his boots.

The Right Stuff

l'attaquant allemand de l'Olympique de Marseille, Rudi Voeller (D), tire au but malgré le retour du capitaine milanais Franco Baresi lors de la finale de la Coupe d'Europe des clubs champions de football, le 26 mai 1993 à Munich, entre Marseille et le Milan A.C

By the end of the century the German national side was in decline. Coach Eric Ribbeck had departed after the Germans' poor showing at the 2000 European Championship and his proposed successor, Bayer Leverkusen coach Christophe Daum, was defending himself against allegations of drug-taking.

Voller was called on to fill a gap, but after a good start to their World Cup preparations they were humiliated 5-1 by England at the Olympic Stadium in Munich on September 1, 2001, a defeat of cataclysmic proportions for the Germans.

To make matters worse, Voller had to rush to hospital just after the match to be with his father, who suffered a heart-attack during the half-time interval.

Germany's coach Rudi Voeller walks by the World Cup trophy after Germany's 0-2 loss against Brazil in match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final 30 June, 2002 at the International Stadium Yokohama, Japan. Germany has won World Cup titles in 1954, 1974 and 1990, whereas Brazil has now won a record five World Cup titles. AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS

Germany's coach Rudi Voeller (L) hugs team captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn after losing the final match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan 0-2 against Brazil at International Stadium Yokohama 30 June, 2002, in Yokohama, Japan. AFP PHOTO/PEDRO UGARTE

But Voller was instrumental in a dramatic comeback for Germany.

To everyone's surprise Germany sailed through the tournament with their usual realism and reached the final where they finally lost to Brazil (2-0).

He was universally respected as a striker and has now won equal plaudits as a coach.

Victory at Euro 2004 would only deepen the wealth of Voller's remarkable history.