Hero's send-off for Hässler

With his 400th and final Bundesliga game beckoning, Thomas Hässler is preparing for a tearful farewell.

Final fling
The 37-year old, who was a 1990 FIFA World Cup winner with West Germany and a EURO 96™ winner with Germany, will take the field for what could be the last time in his professional career as TSV 1860 München play their final home match of the season against VfL Bochum on Sunday.

'A tear or two'
Having delighted generations of German football supporters with his sublime creative midfield play, Hässler was expecting the occasion to get to him at the Olympiastadion. "There will surely be a tear or two but that's nothing to be ashamed of," he said.

Consistently popular
One of the most consistently popular players in German football, the Berlin-born midfield player - who at just 166cm tall was also one of the smallest players in Germany - started his professional career at 1. FC Köln in 1984.

European dream
After four years in Italy with Juventus FC and AS Roma, Hässler returned to the Bundesliga in 1994 with Karlsruher SC before moving on to BV Borussia Dortmund, where he spent a frustrating spell, where he was mostly confined to the bench.

Boardroom dispute
Moving on to 1860 in 1999, Hässler did not always have the wholehearted support of the club's board and more recently was involved in a dispute with club resident Karl-Heinz Wildmoser, who told him he was no longer good enough for the Bundesliga.

'I always think positively'
However, although the club have decided not to renew his contract at the end of the season, Hässler has not lapsed into despair. "I always think positively," he said. "My time in Dortmund has made me tougher and my four years in Munich were mostly positive."

Still hope
Affectionately nicknamed 'Icke' by supporters - the Berlin slang for the German word 'Ich' - for his habit of constantly berating team-mates to pass him the ball, Hässler has not yet given up hope of continuing his playing career, though he may have to leave his native land.

Qatar opportunity
With fellow former German internationals Stefan Effenberg and Mario Basler having moved to Qatar to continue their playing careers, Hässler is also not averse to the prospect of a spell in the Middle East. "That would be interesting," he said. "I have to think about it carefully. I definitely want to carry on for another year."

Rock career
Even if that does not work out, Hässler has plenty to keep him busy, not least his passion for rock music. An avid collector of hard rock and melodic rock records, the midfield player runs his own MTM record label and has said he would turn his hobby into a profession when he quit football.