Matthäus on a mission at Netanya

Lothar Matthäus is targeting success at home and abroad with Israel's Maccabi Netanyfa FC in 2008/09.

Second-place finishes
The 47-year-old German agreed to take over at the Ligat Ha'Al club in April, but has a tough task on his hands if he is improve on the record of his predecessor Reuven Atar who guided Netanya to the runners-up spot behind Beitar Jerusalem FC in each of the last two seasons.  Aside from trying to topple Beitar and claim the club's first title since 1983, the legendary midfielder is also aiming for a lengthy run in the UEFA Cup, with his side entering the competition in the second qualifying round. "I would like to go as far as possible with Netanya in Europe," said Matthäus, who guided FK Partizan to the UEFA Champions league group stage in 2003/04. "Domestically, I understand Beitar Jerusalem are favourites because they have a larger budget but we will still try and give them a fight."

'Excellence'
Having skippered Germany to 1990 FIFA World Cup glory and won seven league titles during his playing career with FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München, Matthäus knows what it takes to lift silverware. Now the 150-times capped international is eager to impose the highest standards on his players at Netanya. "You could see from the first training session that Matthäus has brought with him a level of professionalism and demand for excellence," said Netanya goalkeeper and captain Liran Strauber. Matthäus has already strengthened his squad by signing Alain Masudi and midfielder Ravid Gazal – a former Netanya youth player – from Maccabi Tel Aviv FC. The acquisition of Baruch Dego, who played in the UEFA Champions League in 2004/05 for Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, should also assist Matthäus's aim of reaching the UEFA Cup group stage.