Lothar Matthäus: I said, “there’s nothing to think about, you have to come to Budapest!”

– How was your morning jogging?
– It was great, but I got soaking wet... – told our portalLothar Matthäus,former national team head coach who trained the Hungarian team between 2003 and 2006.

– Where do you usually run?
– Usually on Margaret Island. If I have a bit more time, I go up to Normafa. My 7-year-old son often comes with me on his bike. If he passes me too quickly, I shout to wait up.

– How do you handle the lockdown?
– I don't have a problem with it; I'm not bored. I still work as an expert at the TV station, and Sky Sports also expects my candid essays in my column. I enjoy this job, and I'm actually going home on Thursday because new studio tapings await me there.

– RB Leipzig hosts Liverpool and Mönchengladbach welcomes Manchester City in Budapest? What do you think about that two German teams play their Champions League matches in the Hungarian capital?
– I'm not surprised! When the possibility was raised, Leipzig's managers called me firsthand to ask my opinion. Back home, everyone knows my home has been Budapest for years, that I live in the capital and how much I love to be here. Leipzig's sporting director, Markus Krösche is a great friend of mine and we talked for a long time and had a lot of questions. He asked what the stadium, the city, the atmosphere, and what the hotels are like.

– And what did you say?
– That they can't find a better place to play the match.

– Is it true they also could've gone to Saint Petersburg?
– They had three options. They could've played in London, but their opponent is English, so it would've been a disadvantage for them. Saint Petersburg is a nice city, but the flight is three hours long, they need Visas, and the weather is no joke during these months. Here in Budapest everything is provided. Puskás Aréna is a great stadium and the hotels are excellent – there are several 5-star hotels that meet the needs of teams like them. I told Markus Krösche that “there's nothing to think about, you have to come to Budapest!”

– What about Mönchengladbach?
– I had talked about it on television last week, then my phone rang the next day. It was Max Eberl, Mönchengladbach's sporting director. We used to play together at Bayern München, and our friendship goes back decades, and he asked me the same questions. I'm glad they're also coming here. I'm not saying they chose Budapest because I told them to, but I'm sure my opinion mattered a lot.

– Will you attend the matches?
– No, because the TV studio in Munich is counting on me during those days. However, I met the clubs' delegations on Sunday because they were in Budapest checking out the stadium and the hotels. They really liked everything, and also said if they cannot play at home, Budapest seems a really good choice.

– What do you think about Dominik Szoboszlai's choice for RB Leipzig?
– I think he made the right decision. I've seen him play more than once, so I'm aware of his abilities. After his injury, he'll need some time to get into shape, but Hungarian football has a new ambassador in the person of Szoboszlai. To say, a new hero was born. If he can play again, he has to catch the rhythm of the Bundesliga. He's young, so he'll definitely have his ups and downs, but he's proven himself in Salzburg and in the Hungarian national team. Based on his talents, I think he's capable of playing in an all-star team in two or three seasons. He's got the potential.

– As an expert in German football, do you think Pál Dárdai can save Hertha?
– If he cannot, then no one can! After Bruno Labbadia was fired, I told the club right away they need to bring Pál Dárdai back. As a player, he was the team's match recorder, he knows the locker room, the club, the academy, the journalists. In short, he knows everything. The results haven't come yet, and they are in a tough position, but they've shown progress in their performance. They have to earn points, and then they can move up the latter. The team has potential, and I'm sure Pál Dárdai will keep Hertha in the topflight.

(Translated by Vanda Orosz)