Budapest, HUNGARY, December 14, 2003 (AFP) - New coach Lothar Matthaus believes he can end Hungary's 20-year exile from World Cup action and lead the country to the 2006 finals in Germany.
Matthaus, who garnered a record 150 caps for
the German national side, quit his post at
Partizan Belgrade to succeed Imre Gellei as
Hungary boss on Sunday and now has his
radar fixed on returning to his homeland in
June 2006.
"I want to take Hungary to a World Cup again
after 20 years of waiting," Matthaus told German magazine Kicker. "In
2006 I will return home with this team.
"I think there is a lot of hidden potential in this team and they are
capable of more than they have shown in the past few years."
Two-time World Cup finalists Hungary face a tough task to reach
football's showpiece with Sweden, Croatia, Bulgaria, Iceland and Malta
their opponents in Group Eight.
Matthaus, 42, has a contract with Hungary until 2005 with an option to
2006 should Hungary qualify for the finals.
Earlier news
December 13, 2003: Lothar Matthaus resigns as FC Partizan Belgrade manager
