Enjoyable interview. This may not exactly be a YA topic, but I think his statement about practices being harder and the game by game struggle to either avoid relegation or gain a spot in Europe is telling for the future of players who start in MLS.
He should be much more of a playmaker, IMHO. I know he would prefer to be the secons dtrikre but he has to learn to use his wings as the second strikers and take up wide positions from time to time. He's better at the latter (second striker) but he agreed to play as the former (playmaker). I couldn't have said it better myself Clint.
Clint Mathis isn't the first person to associate harder practices with the increased importance of each match. Now, if we could make MLS regular-season games more meaningful than they are...
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/09/sports/soccer/09SOCC.html "At Hannover, Coach Ralf Ragnick is reportedly in danger of being fired because of the team's struggles, and it is possible that Mathis, who was signed on a free transfer, could be sold for a tidy sum by the club. (Mathis could buy out his contract if the club is relegated.)"
Even the biggest Clint basher has got to admit..he's got one helluva audition tape to send to any club in the world. Glad to see Clint was smart enough (probably standard) to negotiate an out clause. He performs 3/4 of what he's done so far, and he's a $1m baby+ I reckon. Clearly, he's a good player at this level (just a question of HOW good). Getting Clint was one of the best financial deal Hannover ever made. Basically they'll make $1m+ off the deal one way or another..
Im really hoping Mathis continues to tear it up in Germany. Having said that, I think it remains to be seen whether he'll be a good player at this level. I remember a couple other American forwards doing well there first 10 matches or so in Europe, but then kind of fading. I think the good players perform consistently over time.
! million for his contract or transfer fee? I think if he scores 4 more goals and 2 assists he gets sold for at least 3 million Euros.
I'm being conservative...I'm kindof tired of a couple folks accusing me of "overdoing" it (when they post no links as proof), so I'll stick with $1m+
http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/news_-...ml?PHPSESSID=be580b2832ec44f623f5b48018a026e4 the new coach Lienen looking for DISCIPLINE above all else, even in their private lives. Even wants the foreign players to learn German (that he won't hold strategy sessions in English/Spanish in not too long a time). Well, we shall see how our Cleetus reacts to the collective whip being cracked...Certainly, it seemed Hannover needed more discipline and/or kick-in-ass, and Lienen has a history of saving teams from relegation. Its boot camp time! I can see great results or complete falling-out coming (w/Clint).....Apperently, among the 1-v-1s with players, Clint's lasted very long....wonder if they discussed Bush?
Not really. The only time Lienen came in in a similar situation was last season, and he did "save" Gladbach, but Forssell had a heckuva lot more to do with it than anything Lienen did (without Forssell, Lienen quickly led the team back to the relegation zone this season). Lienen's pattern is a solid first 1.BL season with his club, followed by disaster. The following is from another thread: Lienen (the new Hannover coach) is a crappy hire, but if history repeats itself, Hannover won't be relegated . . . this season. All bets are off for next season. Lienen started coaching with Duisburg in the 2.BL, and led them to promotion in the 1992-93 season. In the 1993-94 season, his first with Duisburg in the 1.BL, they finished 9th. In the 1994-95 season, Lienen was fired mid-season for his team's poor play, and Duisburg was ultimately relegated. Lienen's next job was with Hansa Rostock, and in his first season with them (1997-98), they finished 6th in the 1.BL. In his second season, he was fired mid-season for his team's poor play and Rostock finished one point above the relegation zone. His next job was with Cologne in 1999-00, and he led them to promotion from the 2.BL to the 1.BL. In his first 1.BL season with Cologne (2000-01), the team finished 9th. In his second 1.BL season (2001-02), he was fired mid-season for his team's poor play and Cologne was relegated at season's end. In the 2002-2003 season, he started with a second division Spanish side (Tenerife) and was fired for his team's poor play. He was then hired by Moenchengladbach in the second half of the 2002-03 season and the team ended up avoiding relegation. Gladbach started poorly in the 2003-04 season, and Lienen was fired. It remains to be seen if Gladbach will be relegated, but if past history is an indicator, the Lienen curse will doom them. So, if the pattern holds (good 1.BL season followed by relegation), he should help Hannover avoid relegation this season, but will almost assuredly be fired next season and Hannover will likely be relegated thereafter.
We agree on the main point that he gets teams off to fast starts...that's the main thing....certainly, one can charactize Hannover, in general, as undisciplined...so if he doesn't piss to many people off, he probably saves them..
Some might also say that it's not unfair to characterize Mathis as undisciplined. If the coach can successfully bring more discipline to Mathis without pissing him off, then I think it would be for the better.