Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Nov 17: German football legend Lothar Matthaus has emphasised that India needs the best coaches to produce top-quality footballers, urging the country to bring in former players and legends to train its trainers. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Matthaus said that India, despite being the world’s most populous nation, cannot remain absent from the football World Cup while smaller countries like Cape Verde qualify for the global stage.

“You get good footballers only when they learn from the best coaches. India needs good coaches to produce better footballers,” said Matthaus, a member of Germany’s 1990 World Cup-winning team. He stressed the importance of starting at the school level and building a system where legends, ex-players, and reputed coaches teach local coaches, who in turn guide the next generation of players.

Pointing to Cape Verde, which will participate in next year’s World Cup despite having a population of just half a million, Matthaus remarked, “You have the highest population in the world and you don’t go to the World Cup? This cannot be.” He urged India to create a coordinated system involving the football federation, government, clubs, and academies to achieve long-term success, similar to India’s achievements in cricket, hockey, and chess.

Matthaus also reflected on Germany’s recent struggles, citing a lack of passion and camaraderie as reasons for their early exits in the last two World Cups. “We need the passion that was our plus factor in the 80s. We used to play with love and togetherness. That’s what I am missing now in the German team,” he said, adding that rebuilding this spirit is the responsibility of the coach.

As the brand ambassador of the Bengal Super League, Matthaus highlighted the importance of structured coaching and mentorship, insisting that with the right guidance, both India and Germany can reach their footballing potential again.