Torsten Frings

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Torsten Klaus Frings (born 22 November 1976) is a German former footballer and manager, who last managed SV Meppen.

A former midfielder, throughout his career he played for several German clubs, namely Alemannia Aachen, Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich, before ending his career with Canadian MLS side Toronto FC. At international level, he played 79 matches for the Germany national team since his debut in 2001, and represented his nation at two European Championships and two FIFA World Cups.

Club careerEdit

Early careerEdit

His professional career began at third division Alemannia Aachen before a move to Werder Bremen in 1996–97, helping the Weserstadion outfit to a German Cup final defeat of Bayern Munich in 1999 and tallying more than 160 Bundesliga appearances and 15 goals over five and a half seasons.<ref name="statistics">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also helped them win the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup, scoring the decisive goal in the final against FK Vojvodina.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Borussia DortmundEdit

In 2002, a number of Europe's leading clubs were on Frings's trail prior to the World Cup but he opted for a four-year deal with Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of €10 million, penning the contract two games into the competition. A regular in his first term at the Westfalenstadion, Frings also played 12 times in the UEFA Champions League, scoring home and away against Lokomotiv Moscow.

Frings's 2003–04 season only began on 30 January when he played against Schalke 04, his first game since damaging his knee against VfL Bochum in July. He took over from Tomáš Rosický in the playmaking role and scored four times in 16 games before signing a three-year contract with Dortmund's rivals, Bayern Munich.

Bayern MunichEdit

Despite winning the domestic double with Bayern and making 29 Bundesliga and ten Champions League appearances, Frings never really enjoyed his football in Munich, and was played out of position by coach Felix Magath.

Werder BremenEdit

File:Torsten Frings - SV Werder Bremen (5).jpg

Torsten Frings with Werder Bremen

In June 2005, he rejoined Bremen for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, helping them past FC Basel into the Champions League group stage.

Toronto FC and retirementEdit

File:Fringsvsla2012.jpg

Frings with Toronto FC

On 29 June 2011, it was announced that Frings had reached an agreement to join Major League Soccer team Toronto FC as a designated player.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the press conference in which Frings was presented to the Toronto media, the club also announced the signing of Danny Koevermans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Frings made his debut for Toronto on 20 July 2011 in a 1–0 home defeat to FC Dallas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 29 July 2011, Frings made his CONCACAF Champions League debut against Real Estelí in which he was given the honour of wearing the captain's armband for Toronto.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Frings became the permanent captain of the club following Maicon Santos's transfer to Dallas.

On 27 June 2012, Frings scored his first MLS goal in a 3–0 away victory over Montreal Impact, blasting a free kick in the 52nd minute from 22 yards out.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Frings missed the latter portion of the 2012 season after sustaining a hip injury which required arthroscopic surgery.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Frings’ subsequent recovery progressed slower than expected, ultimately leading to his decision to retire from football in February 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Bundesliga: Torsten Frings believes he can save Darmstadt from relegation">Template:Cite news</ref>

Club president, Kevin Payne indicated that the team wanted to maintain a relationship with Frings "not just for next season, but for seasons to come." Frings himself said he wanted to return to the game as a coach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International careerEdit

Frings represented Germany at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea,<ref name="Not All Is Lost for U.S.">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where the German team reached the final, only to be defeated 2–0 by Brazil.<ref name="Happy Birthday to you!">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the tournament, he was part of a controversial call when he prevented a goal with his hand on the goal line in the quarter-final match against the United States;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the referee deemed the handball involuntary, however.<ref name="Not All Is Lost for U.S."/> Frings also took part at UEFA Euro 2004 and at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil, winning a bronze medal in the latter tournament.<ref name="Happy Birthday to you!"/>

Frings was later also called up to Germany's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup on home soil.<ref name="Happy Birthday to you!"/> On 9 June 2006, Frings scored Germany's fourth goal in a 4–2 win against Costa Rica in the opening match of the World Cup, with a powerful drive from more than 30 yards.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Following Germany's penalty shootout victory over Argentina on 30 June 2006, Frings was fined and suspended by FIFA for two games (one of which is subject to a six-month probationary period) for his role in the brawl that broke out between the Argentine and German teams after the match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After reviewing video footage of the brawl, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee determined that Frings had punched Argentine forward Julio Cruz and levelled punishment accordingly, even though Cruz himself had denied that Frings punched him; the second game of the suspension was made probationary due to the Committee's determination that Frings had been provoked into fighting. This suspension decision, announced by FIFA only the day before Germany's semi-final versus Italy on 4 July 2006, rendered Frings unavailable for the important match – which Germany subsequently lost; Germany finished the tournament in third place after defeating Portugal in the bronze medal match.<ref name="Happy Birthday to you!"/>

The controversy of the decision was also sparked by the fact that Frings' role in the brawl had been widely accentuated in the Italian media after FIFA had already announced it closed its investigations against German players. Frings answered to the accusations in an interview: "This is all politics. The Argentinians attack us, I defend myself and the Italians get worked up. With this suspension, FIFA just wanted to show that Germany doesn't get special treatment as the World Cup hosts."

Frings was also called up to Germany's Euro 2008 squad, which reached the final of the tournament only to be defeated by Spain,<ref name="Happy Birthday to you!"/> but was later not included in the team for the 2010 World Cup by German coach Joachim Löw.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He played his last international match on 11 February 2009 in a 0–1 home defeat against Norway.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In total, he earned 79 caps for Germany.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Style of playEdit

Frings was an all-action, well-rounded and versatile midfielder. He was capable of playing anywhere across the midfield, although he was most comfortable in the centre, running deep from his own team's box to the opposition's box, due to his work-rate, vision, solid first touch and passing with either foot, despite his lack of notable pace.<ref name="Toronto FC captain Torsten Frings announces retirement">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TFC's Frings no slouch when it comes to international honours">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="With captain sidelined, Toronto FC looks to life without Torsten Frings">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was usually deployed as defensive midfielder, however, where he excelled due to his tough tackling playing style.<ref name="Happy Birthday to you!"/><ref name="Toronto FC captain Torsten Frings announces retirement"/> A large, tenacious and physically strong player, and a vocal presence on the pitch, he also excelled in the air and was capable of playing as a defender, as a centre-back or sweeper, due to his organisational abilities, knowledge of the game, and fighting spirit on the pitch.<ref name="Not All Is Lost for U.S."/><ref name="Toronto FC captain Torsten Frings announces retirement"/><ref name="Toronto FC not ready for big time just yet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Toronto FC captain Frings out 4-6 weeks">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In addition to his defensive attributes, Frings was also known for his leadership on the pitch, as well as his explosive, powerful shot from distance.<ref name="Toronto FC captain Torsten Frings announces retirement"/><ref name="TFC's Frings no slouch when it comes to international honours"/><ref name="Toronto FC not ready for big time just yet"/><ref name="Toronto FC captain Frings out 4-6 weeks"/>

Coaching careerEdit

Werder BremenEdit

After ending his playing career, Frings became a youth coach at Werder Bremen.<ref name=Postretirement>Template:Cite news</ref> Werder Bremen Ex-CEO Klaus Allofs stated that "he can learn the coaching profession for us from the bottom up."<ref name=Postretirement/> On 25 October 2014, after Werder Bremen fired head coach Robin Dutt, Bremen youth coach Viktor Skrypnyk was appointed as the head coach with Florian Kohfeldt, Christian Vander, and Frings all amongst Skripnik's coaching staff. He received a coaching license from the German FA after a 10-month coaching course<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in March 2015.<ref name="Former Germany international Torsten Frings named Darmstadt head coach">Template:Cite news</ref>

Darmstadt 98Edit

On 27 December 2016, Frings was appointed as the head coach of Darmstadt 98.<ref name="Former Germany international Torsten Frings named Darmstadt head coach"/><ref name="Torsten Frings wird Trainer bei Darmstadt 98">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="SV Darmstadt 98 – Trainerhistorie">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Frings took over a team in last place and five points below the relegation playoff spot.<ref name="Bundesliga: Torsten Frings believes he can save Darmstadt from relegation"/> His first match was a 0–0 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.<ref name="2016–17 season">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Darmstadt 98 finished the 2016–17 season on the last place and was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. On 9 December 2017, Frings was relieved of his duties as Darmstadt's head coach.<ref name="Darmstadt sacking">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His final match was a 1–0 loss to Erzgebirge Aue on 8 December 2017.<ref name="2017–18 season">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He finished with a record of nine wins, eight draws, and 19 losses.<ref name="SV Darmstadt 98 – Trainerhistorie"/>

SV MeppenEdit

He was appointed as the new head coach of SV Meppen on 14 July 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was sacked on 14 April 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

Frings is married to Petra and they have two children, Lisa-Katharina and Lena Alina.<ref name="werder.de">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His hobbies include spending time with his family and riding his motorcycle.<ref name="werder.de"/>

LegacyEdit

Gustavo Fring, a fictional character from the television series Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, was named after Frings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Career statisticsEdit

ClubEdit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total		Template:Tooltip
Club	Season	League	App	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Template:Tooltip
Alemannia Aachen	1994–95	Regionalliga West	6	0	0	0	—		—		6	0	<ref name="statistics"/>
	1995–96		32	12	—		—		—		32	12	<ref name="statistics"/>
	1996–97		19	1	—		—		—		19	1	<ref name="statistics"/>
	Total		57	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	57	13	—
Werder Bremen II	1996–97	Regionalliga Nord	1	1	—		—		—		1	1	<ref name="statistics"/>
Werder Bremen	1996–97	Bundesliga	15	0	0	0	—		—		15	0	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	1997–98		28	2	2	0	3	0	—		33	2	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	1998–99		23	3	4	3	12	3	—		39	9	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	1999–2000		33	3	4	0	9	0	2	0	48	3	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2000–01		30	1	2	0	5	0	—		37	1	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2001–02		33	6	1	0	2	0	—		36	6	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Total		162	15	13	3	31	3	2	0	208	21	—
Borussia Dortmund	2002–03	Bundesliga	31	6	2	0	12	2	1	0	46	8	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2003–04	Bundesliga	16	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	17	4	<ref name="Torsten Frings"/>
	Total		47	10	2	0	12	2	2	0	63	12	—
Bayern Munich	2004–05	Bundesliga	29	3	6	0	8	1	2	1	45	5	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Werder Bremen	2005–06		28	3	4	1	10	1	2	0	44	5	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2006–07		33	1	0	0	6	1	2	1	41	3	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2007–08		11	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	14	1	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2008–09		30	4	5	0	13	0	—		48	4	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2009–10		30	6	6	0	9	4	—		45	10	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2010–11		32	6	1	0	6	1	—		39	7	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Total		164	21	16	1	47	6	5	1	231	30	—
Toronto FC	2011	MLS	13	0	0	0	6	0	—		19	0	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2012	MLS	20	2	3	0	2	0	—		25	2	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	Total		33	2	3	0	8	0	—		44	2	—
Career total			493	65	40	4	105	13	11	5	649	84	—

InternationalEdit

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Germany<ref>Template:NFT player</ref>	2001	2	0
	2002	17	2
	2003	4	0
	2004	12	2
	2005	13	2
	2006	16	2
	2007	6	2
	2008	8	0
	2009	1	0
Total		79	10

Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Frings goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

List of international goals scored by Torsten Frings
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	27 March 2002	Ostseestadion, Rostock, Germany	Template:Fb	4–1	4–2	Friendly
2	9 May 2002	Schwarzwald-Stadion, Freiburg, Germany	Template:Fb	1–0	7–0	Friendly
3	27 May 2004	Schwarzwald-Stadion, Freiburg, Germany	Template:Fb	4–0	7–0	Friendly
4	15 June 2004	Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal	Template:Fb	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 2004
5	9 February 2005	Merkur Spielarena, Düsseldorf, Germany	Template:Fb	1–0	2–2	Friendly
6	12 October 2005	Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany	Template:Fb	1–0	1–0	Friendly
7	27 May 2006	Schwarzwald-Stadion, Freiburg, Germany	Template:Fb	2–0	7–0	Friendly
8	9 June 2006	Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany	Template:Fb	4–2	4–2	2006 FIFA World Cup
9	7 February 2007	Merkur Spielarena, Düsseldorf, Germany	Template:Fb	3–0	3–1	Friendly
10	2 June 2007	Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg, Germany	Template:Fb	3–0	6–0	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Managerial statisticsEdit

Template:Updated

Team!	From!	To!	Record
Team!	From!	To!	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip
Darmstadt 98	27 December 2016<ref name="Former Germany international Torsten Frings named Darmstadt head coach"/><ref name="Torsten Frings wird Trainer bei Darmstadt 98"/><ref name="SV Darmstadt 98 – Trainerhistorie"/>	9 December 2017<ref name="Darmstadt sacking"/> Template:WDL	<ref name="SV Darmstadt 98 – Trainerhistorie"/><ref name="2016–17 season"/><ref name="2017–18 season"/>
SV Meppen	14 July 2020	14 April 2021 Template:WDL
Total Template:WDLtot			—

HonoursEdit

Werder Bremen

DFB-Pokal: 1998–99, 2008–09
DFB-Ligapokal: 2006
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1998<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bayern Munich

Toronto FC

Canadian Championship: 2012<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Germany

FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2002; third place: 2006
FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2005
UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2008

Individual

kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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