Deite ke afto:
Weightlifting crisis
By Martonton Vajda
HUNGARY coach Lothar Matthaus has been vilified in the Greek media following a highly publicized affair with one of the country's top clubs, PAOK Thessaloniki.
The German manager's future in Hungary is uncertain following the country's failure to qualify for the 2006 world cup in Germany.
Matthaus has said he would like to sign a contract extension, but the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSz) will discuss the matter only on October 13. In the meantime, PAOK has offered Matthaus the position of head coach.
The German met club president Jannis Gumenos and began negotiations with PAOK through his agent.
He was reportedly offered a €1 million annual salary, two land rovers and luxury accommodation. The club bought plane tickets for him and his wife and sent them a detailed schedule of their first few days in Thessaloniki. At this point, however, Matthaus backed out of the deal, saying he was dissatisfied with the PAOK squad.
The furious Gumenos retaliated by calling a press conference where he laid bare to the media all the details of the club's association with the German.
He labeled Matthaus unprofessional and even threatened legal action.
That may be unrealistic as the former Bayern Munich midfielder never signed any written agreement with PAOK and his commitment to Hungary is well known.
However, it is widely believed that he used PAOK to force MLSz's hand by demonstrating to them that he is a sought-after manager.
His reputation may suffer as a consequence, but Hungarian football fans will be happy that he looks to be staying.
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