Editing Matthias Sammer

{{Short description|German association football player and manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matthias Sammer
| image = Matthias Sammer 2722.jpg
| upright = 1.1
| caption = Sammer in 2013
| height = 1.81 m<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.dfb.de/datencenter/personen/matthias-sammer/spieler | title = Matthias Sammer – Spielerprofil – DFB |publisher = dfb.de | language = de | access-date = 18 October 2020 }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1967|9|5}}
| birth_place = [[Dresden]], East Germany
| position = [[Defensive midfielder]], [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]]
| youthyears1 = 1976–1985
| youthclubs1 = [[Dynamo Dresden]]
| years1 = 1985–1990
| clubs1 = [[Dynamo Dresden]]
| caps1 = 102
| goals1 = 39
| years2 = 1990–1992
| clubs2 = [[VfB Stuttgart]]
| caps2 = 63
| goals2 = 20
| years3 = 1992–1993
| clubs3 = [[Inter Milan]]
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 1993–1998
| clubs4 = [[Borussia Dortmund]]
| caps4 = 115
| goals4 = 21
| totalcaps = 291
| totalgoals = 84
| nationalyears1 = 1986–1990
| nationalteam1 = [[East Germany national football team|East Germany]]
| nationalcaps1 = 23
| nationalgoals1 = 6
| nationalyears2 = 1990–1997
| nationalteam2 = [[Germany national football team|Germany]]
| nationalcaps2 = 51
| nationalgoals2 = 8
| manageryears1 = 2000–2004
| managerclubs1 = [[Borussia Dortmund]]
| manageryears2 = 2004–2005
| managerclubs2 = [[VfB Stuttgart]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|Football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{GER}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[UEFA Euro 1996|1996 England]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[UEFA Euro 1992|1992 Sweden]]|}}
| manageryears3 = 2012–2016
| managerclubs3 = [[Bayern Munich]] (sports director)
}}

'''Matthias Sammer''' ({{IPA|de|maˈtiːas ˈzamɐ}}; born 5 September 1967) is a German [[Association football|football]] official and former player and coach. He played as a [[defensive midfielder]] and later in his career as a [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]].

With [[Borussia Dortmund]] as a player, Sammer won the [[Bundesliga]] and [[DFB-Supercup]] in 1995, the Bundesliga, DFB-Supercup, and [[European Footballer of the Year]] in 1996, and the [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]] in 1997. [[Germany national football team|Germany]] won the [[UEFA Euro 1996]] with Sammer as a player, where he was named the [[UEFA Euro 1996#Awards|tournament's best player]], and was subsequently awarded the [[Ballon d'Or]] later that year. Sammer retired with 74 total [[Cap (sport)|caps]], 23 for [[East Germany national football team|East Germany]] and 51 for the unified side. Known for his exceptional defensive skills, including his ability to read the game, make interceptions, and tackle effectively, Sammer is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/20-best-defenders-of-all-time/|title=20 Best defenders of all time|date =5 May 2020|publisher= sportskeeda | access-date = 24 January 2024 }}</ref>

With Sammer as a manager, Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga in 2002.

==Club career==

===Dynamo Dresden===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1990-0602-009, 1. FC Dynamo Dresden - PSV Schwerin 2-1.jpg|thumb|upright|Sammer with Dresden in 1990, holding the [[FDGB-Pokal]] trophy]]
Sammer started his career at [[Dynamo Dresden]] when he joined the club's youth team as a nine-year-old in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://bundesligafanatic.com/news-sammer-replaces-nerlinger-at-bayern-munchen/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130216045357/http://bundesligafanatic.com/news-sammer-replaces-nerlinger-at-bayern-munchen/|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 16 February 2013|title=Sammer replaces Nerlinger at Bayern München|date =2 July 2012|publisher= bundesligafanatic | access-date = 30 March 2013 | first = Gerry | last = Wittmann}}</ref> He made his debut for the senior team under the management of his father, [[Klaus Sammer]], in the [[1985–86 DDR-Oberliga|1985–86 season]]. Playing as a striker, he scored eight goals in his first season as Dynamo finished fifth in the [[DDR-Oberliga]]. After being moved to the left wing the [[1986–87 DDR-Oberliga|following season]] by new manager [[Eduard Geyer]], he eventually found his place in central midfield during the [[1987–88 DDR-Oberliga|1987–88 season]].

In the [[1988–89 DDR-Oberliga|1988–89 season]], Sammer was part of the Dynamo Dresden team which won the [[List of East German football champions|East German championship]]. The same season the club also reached the semi-final of the [[1988–89 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] where they were knocked out by [[West Germany|West German]] club [[VfB Stuttgart]]. [[1989–90 DDR-Oberliga|The following year]] Dynamo won the league and cup [[Double (association football)|double]], defending the DDR-Oberliga title and also winning the [[1989–90 FDGB-Pokal|1990]] [[FDGB-Pokal]].

Sammer was formally an officer of the [[Volkspolizei]], as a player of Dynamo Dresden. He enrolled into the [[Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment]] as a 19-year-old. Many players of Dynamo Dresden were assigned to the regiment for their military service. Sammer then served as a non-commissioned officer in the Guards Regiment for three years from 1987,<ref name="SportbuzzerStasi">{{cite news |last=Leimert |first=Jochen |date=21 December 2017 |title=Dynamo und die Stasi: Warum Matthias Sammer nur zwei Tage "diente" |url=https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/dynamo-und-die-stasi-warum-matthias-sammer-nur-zwei-tage-diente/ |language=German |newspaper=[[Sportbuzzer]] |location=Hannover |publisher=Sportbuzzer GmbH |access-date=25 December 2012 |archive-date=23 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223230419/http://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/dynamo-und-die-stasi-warum-matthias-sammer-nur-zwei-tage-diente/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> holding the rank of [[sergeant]] in the Stasi.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 December 2017 |title=Warum Matthias Sammer in seiner Stasi-Akte als Täter geführt wird |url=https://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/als-junger-profi-von-dynamo-dresden-warum-matthias-sammer-in-seiner-stasi-akte-als-taeter-gefuehrt-wird_id_8029700.html |language=German |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |accessdate=25 December 2021 }}</ref> The President of SV Dynamo was the head of the Stasi [[Erich Mielke]]. Sammer has explained that he would not have been able to continue to play football for Dynamo Dresden if he had refused to serve with the Guards Regiment and that he never saw any weapon or took part in any military exercise. He has described his employment with the Guard Regiment as an alibi to play football to Dynamo Dresden.<ref name="SportbuzzerStasi"/>

===VfB Stuttgart===
In the summer of 1990, Sammer joined [[VfB Stuttgart]] of the [[Bundesliga]]. Sammer scored 11 times in [[1990–91 Bundesliga|his debut season]] as Stuttgart finished sixth in the Bundesliga. [[1991–92 Bundesliga|The following year]] Sammer scored nine goals, helping Stuttgart to become the [[List of German football champions|first champions]] of the [[German reunification|reunified Germany]].

===Inter Milan===
After two seasons at Stuttgart, Sammer joined Italian club [[Inter Milan]] for the [[1992–93 Serie A]] season. Though he was a success on the pitch, scoring four times in 11 appearances, including a goal against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in the [[Derby d'Italia]], Sammer failed to adapt to the Italian lifestyle and returned to Germany in January 1993.

===Borussia Dortmund===
In the winter break of the [[1992–93 Bundesliga|1992–93 season]], Sammer signed for [[Borussia Dortmund]]. He made 17 Bundesliga appearances in the second half of the season, scoring ten times.

[[1993–94 Bundesliga|The following season]], Sammer was moved from midfield into the [[Libero (football)|libero]] position by Dortmund coach [[Ottmar Hitzfeld]]. This move proved to be successful as Dortmund won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in [[1994–95 Bundesliga|1994–95]] and [[1995–96 Bundesliga|1995–96]], followed by the [[1996–97 UEFA Champions League]], with Sammer lifting the [[European Cup]] as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] after beating [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] 3–1 in [[1997 UEFA Champions League Final|the final]] at [[Munich]]'s [[Olympiastadion (Munich)|Olympiastadion]].

Soon after winning the Champions League, Sammer's career was cut short by injury. He made only three further Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund before suffering a serious knee injury which he failed to recover from and retired in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/euro-2012/players/legends/190742-euro-legends-matthias-sammer|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419122432/http://sports.ndtv.com/euro-2012/players/legends/190742-euro-legends-matthias-sammer|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2013|title=Euro Legends: Matthias Sammer|date=26 May 2012|access-date=30 March 2013}}</ref>

In addition to the two Bundesliga titles and one Champions League, Sammer also led Dortmund to two [[DFB-Supercup]]s, in [[1995 DFB-Supercup|1995]] and [[1996 DFB-Supercup|1996]]. Sammer himself was named [[Footballer of the Year (Germany)]] in both 1995 and 1996 and was named [[Ballon d'Or|European Footballer of the Year]] in 1996, making him the first [[Defender (association football)|defender]] to win the Ballon d'Or since [[Franz Beckenbauer]] in 1976.

==International career==

===East Germany===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1986-1119-031, Leipzig, Mannschaftsfoto DDR-Nationalmannschaft.jpg|thumb|Sammer (back row, third from right) in 1986, with the [[East Germany national football team|East German football team]]]]
Sammer represented the [[GDR]] at every age group. He was part of the East German squads which won the [[1986 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship]] and finished third at the [[1987 FIFA World Youth Championship]].

In November 1986, he made his debut for the full [[East Germany national football team]] in a [[UEFA Euro 1988]] [[UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying|qualifier]] against [[France national football team|France]] at [[Zentralstadion]] in Leipzig.

On 12 September 1990, Sammer captained East Germany in its final match. He scored both goals as the GDR beat [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] 2–0 in [[Brussels]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35169108|title=The East German team that refused to die|date=28 December 2015|publisher=BBC | access-date = 28 December 2015 | first = Tim | last = Mansel}}</ref>

===Germany===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1990-0404-025, SG Dynamo Dresden, Matthias Sammer.jpg|thumb|upright=0.68|left|Sammer in 1990]]
On 19 December 1990, Sammer debuted for the newly formed unified [[Germany national football team]], which was mostly made up of the [[West Germany national football team|West Germany]] team that had won the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]]. The match was played at [[MHPArena|his home stadium]] in [[Stuttgart]] and Germany ran out 4–0 winners against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]].

Sammer was a member of the German squad for [[UEFA Euro 1992]], where the team was beaten in [[UEFA Euro 1992 Final|the final]] by [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref name=gatecrash>{{cite web |title=Gatecrashing Denmark down Germany |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7b301f026e-4388f32eaa87-1000--gatecrashing-denmark-down-germany-in-euro-1992-final/ |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=5 October 2003 |access-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621082724/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1992/matches/round=217/match=6098/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-date=21 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also selected for the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]], as Germany was surprisingly knocked out by the underdog [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] at the quarter-final stage.

In [[UEFA Euro 1996]], Sammer played in the libero role he had been converted to at Borussia Dortmund. He scored the opening goal in Germany's second group match against [[Russia national football team|Russia]] and the winning goal against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in the quarter-final. After Germany defeated the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] in [[UEFA Euro 1996 Final|the final]], Sammer was named Player of the Tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/477/euro-2012/2012/06/04/3145395/euro-1996-legends-matthias-sammer-germany|title=Euro 1996 Legends: Matthias Sammer, Germany|date=4 June 2012|publisher=Goal}}</ref>

On 7 June 1997, Sammer played his final match for Germany in a [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier]] against [[Ukraine]] in [[Kyiv]]. He did not take part at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] due to injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-17-sp-50877-story.html |title=Quotes Already Kick-Starting World Cup '98 |work=Los Angeles Times |last1=Jones |first1=Grahame L. |date=17 May 1998 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref>

==Style of play==
Sammer usually played as a [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]] during the height of his career, in particular in later years, although he was also capable of playing in several [[Midfielder|midfield]] and [[Forward (association football)|offensive]] roles; indeed, he was often deployed further up the pitch earlier in his career, including in a [[Holding midfielder|holding]] role, as an [[attacking midfielder]], as a [[central midfielder]], as a [[left winger]], as a [[deep-lying playmaker]], or even as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]] on occasion, courtesy of his technique, stamina, passing ability, and vision. Although he was not the most physically gifted defender, due to his slender frame, he was regarded as a world class player in his position, in particular due to his intelligence and positional sense, while he was also able to improve his tackling ability as his career progressed. Despite his more [[Defender (association football)|defensive]] playing role, he was also a talented and energetic player, who was known for his eye for goal, athleticism, elegance, finesse, and offensive capabilities, and had a penchant for undertaking individual forward runs with the ball towards the opposing penalty area. Beyond his skills as a footballer, he was also known as an influential player and a commanding presence on the pitch, who stood out for his charismatic leadership qualities, determination, bravery, and composure under pressure. Despite his ability and reputation as one of the greatest sweepers of all time, however, he was also known to be prone to injuries, which ultimately forced him to retire from professional football at the age of 31.{{efn|See<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/le-meteore/sammer-il-pallone-d-oro-allergico-all-italia-436170 |title=Sammer, il pallone d'oro allergico all'Italia |publisher=tuttomercatoweb.com |language=it |last1=Mocciaro |first1=Gaetano |date=2 April 2013 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefalse9.com/2017/02/matthias-sammer-dortmund-bayern.html |title=Forgotten Superstars-Matthias Sammer |publisher=The False 9 |last1=Bradley |first1=Cain |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1176000-world-football-101-an-introduction-to-players-positions |title=World Football 101: An Introduction to Player's Positions |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Gautam |first1=Bimersha |date=8 May 2012 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1783912-the-20-most-intimidating-defenders-in-bundesliga-history |title=The 20 Most Intimidating Defenders in Bundesliga History |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Whitney |first1=Clark |date=4 October 2013 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/name/481/blog/post/1880996/headline |title=German order falls to Philipp Lahm |publisher=ESPN |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/matthias-sammer_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/ |title=SAMMER, Matthias in "Enciclopedia dello Sport" |publisher=treccani.it |language=it-IT |last1=Valdiserri |first1=Luca |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/sports/soccer/world-cup-2014-a-24-year-overhaul-puts-germany-back-on-top.html |title=On This Day, 'Miracle Boy' Götze Was Better Than Messi |work=The New York Times |last1=Hughes |first1=Rob |date=14 July 2014 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world_cup_98/teams/germany/players/85619.stm |title=Key Player – Matthias Sammer |publisher=BBC News |date=3 May 1998 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/sammer-discord-can-important-1643811 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608235524/https://www.fifa.com/news/sammer-discord-can-important-1643811 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 June 2021 |title=Sammer: Discord can be important |publisher=FIFA |date=4 June 2012 |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/0000252691.jsp |title=From skinny striker to world-class sweeper |publisher=bundesliga.com |access-date=8 June 2021 }}</ref>}}

==Coaching and management career==
===Borussia Dortmund===
After retirement, Sammer became head coach of [[Borussia Dortmund]] on 1 July 2000.<ref name=dortmundcoach>{{cite news|title=Matthias Sammer wird neuer Chef-Coach|url= https://www.kicker.de/matthias-sammer-wird-neuer-chef-coach-229542/artikel|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=30 May 2000|language=de}}</ref> Sammer led Borussia Dortmund to another Bundesliga title in [[2001–02 Bundesliga|2002]]. His team reached the [[2001–02 UEFA Cup]] [[2002 UEFA Cup Final|final]] the same year but lost 2–3 against [[Feyenoord Rotterdam|Feyenoord]]. Sammer was sacked at the end of the [[2003–04 Bundesliga|2003–04 season]] after Dortmund finished in sixth place.

===VfB Stuttgart===
Sammer returned to [[VfB Stuttgart]] as head coach for the [[2004–05 Bundesliga|2004–05 season]].<ref name=Stuttgartcoach>{{cite news|title=Perfekt: Sammer beerbt Magath|url= https://www.kicker.de/perfekt_sammer-beerbt-magath-299619/artikel|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=31 May 2004|language=de}}</ref> Despite finishing one point off a Champions League qualifying position, Sammer left the club on 3 June 2005.<ref name=stuttgartsacking>{{cite news|title=VfB trennt sich von Sammer|url= https://www.kicker.de/vfb-trennt-sich-von-sammer-315934/artikel|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=3 June 2005}}</ref>

===German Football Association===
On 1 April 2006, he was appointed technical director of [[German Football Association]] (DFB), on a five-year contract. The position was new in the DFB at the time and had been initiated by national coach [[Jürgen Klinsmann]], who undertook major structural reforms in the DFB during his short time of two years as a coach, with an impact lasting much longer than his actual term. The position included responsibility for the national youth teams, focusing on young talents between the ages of eleven and eighteen, as well as incorporating the latest developments in sports science into the DFB's training theories. Sammer was also expected to work on a tactical system for all of Germany's national sides in close co-operation with national coach [[Joachim Löw]]. He is credited of having led the declining quality of German football from its worst era at the beginning of the 2000s to new success through several talented players developed in the restructured youth system.

===Bayern Munich===
On 2 July 2012, he took over as [[Director of football|Sporting Director]] of [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and replaced [[Christian Nerlinger]], who had been released following Bayern's treble losses in Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League and because of his strained relationship with the club.<ref name="fcbayern1" >{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.telekom.de/en/news/news/2012/35584.php | title = Matthias Sammer appointed Sport Director | publisher = FC Bayern Munich | date = 2 July 2012 | access-date = 2 July 2012}}</ref> As Sporting Director, Sammer was a member of the [[Vorstand|management board]] responsible for the professional playing staff of the club.<ref name="fcbayern1" />

In his first season, Sammer orchestrated FC Bayern's turnaround to the first [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in club history by claiming the [[2012–13 Bundesliga]], the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League]] and the [[2012–13 DFB-Pokal]] in record-setting fashion. In the next years three consecutive Bundesliga championships and two cup wins followed.

In spring 2016, he had a "minute circulatory disorder in the brain"<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2016/statement-sporting-director-matthias-sammer-240416.php | title = Sporting director Matthias Sammer | website = FC Bayern Munich | date = 24 April 2016 | access-date = 10 July 2016}}</ref> and had to take a break from his work. During his recovery, he gained a new perspective on his work and family life and asked FC Bayern to release him from his position as sporting director which they granted.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2016/press-release-matthias-sammer-leaves-fc-bayern.php | title = Matthias Sammer leaves FC Bayern at his own request | website = FC Bayern Munich | date = 10 July 2016 | access-date = 10 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/sammer-und-bayern-muenchen-beenden-zusammenarbeit-149893/|title=Matthias Sammer und Bayern München beenden Zusammenarbeit|date=10 July 2016|work=dfb.de}}</ref> Afterwards Munich continued working without any sporting director for a year before they presented [[Hasan Salihamidžić]] as his replacement.

Following this he effectively retired, initially working as a pundit for [[Eurosport]] for a while but ruling out to continue this in the future. In 2018, he started to work part-time as an adviser for Borussia Dortmund, meeting with the club for talks every two weeks, and is regularly seen sitting next to Dortmund's management during matches.

==Personal life==
Sammer is married and has three children, Sarah, Marvin, and Leon. He lives in [[Munich]], Germany.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/sport/matthias-sammer-das-ist-lebensfreude-trotz-aller-anstrengung-1.3586704 | title = "Das ist Lebensfreude - trotz aller Anstrengung" | language = de | website = Süddeutsche Zeitung | date = 13 July 2017 | access-date = 21 December 2023}}</ref> He is the son of [[Klaus Sammer]], a former player and manager of Dynamo Dresden.<ref>{{cite news |title=Klaus Sammer: Glaube nicht, dass Matthias es machen würde |url=https://www.welt.de/newsticker/sport-news/article178448130/Fussball-Klaus-Sammer-Glaube-nicht-dass-Matthias-es-machen-wuerde.html |work=[[Die Welt]] |date=29 June 2018 |language=German}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan=3 | Club performance<ref>{{NFT player|id=14100|accessdate=}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | Cup
! colspan=2 | League Cup
! colspan=2 | Continental
! colspan=2 | Total
|-
! Season
! Club
! League
! Apps !! Goals
! Apps !! Goals
! Apps !! Goals
! Apps !! Goals
! Apps !! Goals
|-
! colspan=3 |East Germany
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | [[FDGB-Pokal]]
! colspan=2 | League Cup
! colspan=2 | [[UEFA|Europe]]
! colspan=2 | Total
|-
|1985–86||rowspan="5"|[[Dynamo Dresden]]||rowspan="5"|[[DDR-Oberliga]]||18||8||4||6||-||-||6||2||28||16
|-
|1986–87||20||7||3||2||-||-||-||-||23||9
|-
|1987–88||19||8||3||1||-||-||2||0||24||9
|-
|1988–89||25||6||3||1||-||-||10||0||38||7
|-
|1989–90||20||9||5||4||-||-||2||0||27||13
|-
! colspan=3 |Germany
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | [[DFB-Pokal]]
! colspan=2 | [[DFB Ligapokal]]
! colspan=2 | [[UEFA|Europe]]
! colspan=2 | Total
|-
|1990–91||rowspan="2"|[[VfB Stuttgart]]||rowspan="2"|[[Bundesliga]]||30||11||3||1|||-||-||-||-||33||12
|-
|1991–92||33||9||3||1||-||-||3||1||35||11
|-
! colspan=3 |Italy
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | [[Coppa Italia]]
! colspan=2 | League Cup
! colspan=2 | [[UEFA|Europe]]
! colspan=2 | Total
|-
|1992–93||[[Inter Milan]]||[[Serie A]]||11||4||1||0||-||-||-||-||12||4
|-
! colspan=3 |Germany
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | [[DFB-Pokal]]
! colspan=2 | [[DFB Ligapokal]]
! colspan=2 | [[UEFA|Europe]]
! colspan=2 | Total
|-
|1992–93||rowspan="6"|[[Borussia Dortmund]]||rowspan="6"|[[Bundesliga]]||17||10||-||-|||-||-||-||-||17||10
|-
|1993–94||29||4||2||0||-||-||8||0||39||4
|-
|1994–95||28||4||1||1||-||-||7||0||36||5
|-
|1995–96||22||3||3||1||-||-||6||0||31||4
|-
|1996–97||21||0||1||0||-||-||5||0||27||0
|-
|1997–98||3||0||1||0||1||0|||1||0||6||0
|-
!rowspan=3| Country !!colspan=2| East Germany
!102||38||18||14||-||-||20||2||140||54
|-
!colspan=2|Germany
!183||41||14||4||1||0||30||1||228||46
|-
!colspan=2|Italy
!11||4||1||0||-||-||-||-||12||4
|-
!colspan=3|Total
!296||83||33||18||1||0||50||3||380||104
|}

===International===
====East Germany national team statistics====

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | [[East Germany national football team|East Germany national team]]
|-
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|1986||1||0
|-
|1987||0||0
|-
|1988||6||1
|-
|1989||11||2
|-
|1990||5||3
|-
!Total||23||6
|}

====Germany national team statistics====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | [[Germany national football team|Germany national team]]
|-
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|1990||1||0
|-
|1991||3||0
|-
|1992||9||1
|-
|1993||6||0
|-
|1994||12||2
|-
|1995||6||2
|-
|1996||11||3
|-
|1997||3||0
|-
!Total||51||8
|}

===International goals===
====Goals for East Germany====
::''Scores and results table. Germany's goal tally first:''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sammer-intl.html | title = Matthias Sammer – International Appearances | language = de | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | date = 3 October 2004 | access-date = 2 July 2012 | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" align=center
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 31 August 1988 || [[Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark]], [[East Berlin]], [[East Germany]] || {{fb|Greece}} || 1–0 || 1–0|| [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || 6 September 1989 || [[Laugardalsvöllur]], [[Reykjavík]], [[Iceland]] || {{fb|Iceland}} || 1–0 || 3–0|| [[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification|1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying]]
|-
| 3. || 8 October 1989 || [[Stadion an der Gellertstraße]], [[Karl-Marx-Stadt]], East Germany || {{fb|USSR}} || 2–1 || 2–1|| [[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification|1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying]]
|-
| 4. || 11 April 1990 || Stadion an der Gellertstraße, Karl-Marx-Stadt, East Germany || {{fb|Egypt}} || 2–0 || 2–0|| [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 5. || 12 September 1990 || [[Constant Vanden Stock Stadium]], [[Brussels]], Belgium || {{fb|Belgium}} || 1–0 || 2–0|| [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 6. || 12 September 1990 || [[Constant Vanden Stock Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium || {{fb|Belgium}} || 2–0 || 2–0|| [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|}

====Goals for Germany====
{| class="wikitable" align=center
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 16 December 1992 || [[Estádio Olímpico Monumental]], [[Porto Alegre]], Brazil || {{fb|Brazil}} || 1–2 || 1–3 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || 2 June 1994 || [[Ernst-Happel-Stadion]], Vienna, Austria || {{fb|Austria}} || 1–0 || 5–1 || Friendly
|-
| 3. || 8 June 1994 || [[Varsity Stadium]], Toronto, Canada || {{fb|Canada}} || 1–0 || 2–0 || Friendly
|-
| 4. || 8 October 1995 || [[BayArena|Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion]], [[Leverkusen]], Germany || {{fb|Moldova}} || 3–0 || 6–1 || [[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying]]
|-
| 5. || 8 October 1995 || Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, Leverkusen, Germany || {{fb|Moldova}} || 6–0 || 6–1 || UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
|-
| 6. || 4 June 1996 || [[Carl-Benz-Stadion]], [[Mannheim]], Germany || {{fb|Liechtenstein}} || 5–0 || 9–1 || Friendly
|-
| 7. || 16 June 1996 || [[Old Trafford]], Manchester, England || {{fb|Russia}} || 1–0 || 3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 1996]]
|-
| 8. || 23 June 1996 || [[Old Trafford]], Manchester, England || {{fb|Croatia}} || 2–1 || 2–1 || UEFA Euro 1996
|}

===Coaching statistics===
{{updated|30 January 2014}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"| Team
!rowspan="2"| From
!rowspan="2"| To
!colspan="6"|Record
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
!{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[Borussia Dortmund]]
| 1 July 2000<ref name="Borussia Dortmund – Trainerhistorie"/>
| 30 June 2004<ref name="Borussia Dortmund – Trainerhistorie"/>
{{WDL|183|89|46|48}}
| <ref name="Borussia Dortmund – Trainerhistorie">{{cite web|title=Borussia Dortmund|url=https://www.kicker.de/borussia-dortmund/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=30 January 2014|language=de}}</ref>
|-
| [[VfB Stuttgart]]
| 1 July 2004<ref name="VfB Stuttgart – Trainerhistorie"/>
| 3 June 2005<ref name="VfB Stuttgart – Trainerhistorie"/>
{{WDL|47|25|8|14}}
| <ref name="VfB Stuttgart – Trainerhistorie">{{cite web|title=VfB Stuttgart|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfb-stuttgart/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=30 January 2014|language=de}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="3"| Total
{{WDLtot|230|114|54|62}}
!—
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Dynamo Dresden'''
* [[DDR-Oberliga]]: [[1988–89 DDR-Oberliga|1988–89]], [[1989–90 DDR-Oberliga|1989–90]]
* [[FDGB-Pokal]]: [[1989–90 FDGB-Pokal|1989–90]]

'''VfB Stuttgart'''
* [[Bundesliga]]: [[1991–92 Bundesliga|1991–92]]

'''Borussia Dortmund'''
* Bundesliga: [[1994–95 Bundesliga|1994–95]], [[1995–96 Bundesliga|1995–96]]
* [[DFB-Supercup]]: [[1995 DFB-Supercup|1995]], [[1996 DFB-Supercup|1996]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]]: [[1996–97 UEFA Champions League|1996–97]]
* [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1997 Intercontinental Cup|1997]]

'''Germany'''
* [[UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]]; runner-up: [[UEFA Euro 1992|1992]]
* [[U.S. Cup]]: [[1993 U.S. Cup|1993]]

'''Individual'''
* ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1990–91, 1994–95<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199091/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018185816/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199091/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1990/91|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199495/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018190450/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/199495/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1994/95|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref>
* [[ESM Team of the Year]]: [[European Sports Magazines#1990s|1994–95]]
* [[Footballer of the Year in Germany]]: 1995, 1996
* ''kicker'' Bundesliga-best libero: 1995, 1996
* ''kicker'' Bundesliga-best midfielder: 1993
* [[UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament]]: 1996
* [[UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament]]: 1996
* [[Onze de Bronze]]: 1996
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[1996 Ballon d'Or|1996]]
* [[World Soccer (magazine)|World Soccer]]: The 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time

===Manager===
'''Borussia Dortmund'''
* Bundesliga: [[2001–02 Bundesliga|2001–02]]
* [[DFB-Ligapokal]] runner-up: [[2003 DFB-Ligapokal|2003]]
* [[UEFA Cup]] runner-up: [[2001–02 UEFA Cup|2001–02]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Fussballdaten|sammermatthias}}
* [http://archivio.inter.it/cgi-bin/giocatori-scheda?codice=G0577&L=it Matthias Sammer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231042/http://archivio.inter.it/cgi-bin/giocatori-scheda?codice=G0577&L=it |date=19 March 2012 }} FC Inter Milan stats at archivio.inter.it {{in lang|it}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=black
|list1=
{{UEFA Euro 1996 Team of the Tournament}}
{{European Championship Player of the tournament}}
{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}
{{UEFA Champions League Winning Captains}}
{{German Footballer of the Year}}
{{1990–91 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{1991–92 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{1994–95 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{Bundesliga winning managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|bg= white
|fg= black
|bordercolor= black
|title= Germany squads
|list1=
{{Germany squad UEFA Euro 1992}}
{{Germany squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Germany squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Matthias Sammer managerial positions
|list1=
{{Borussia Dortmund managers}}
{{VfB Stuttgart managers}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sammer, Matthias}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Dresden]]
[[Category:German men's footballers]]
[[Category:East German men's footballers]]
[[Category:German expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Men's association football sweepers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:Dynamo Dresden players]]
[[Category:VfB Stuttgart players]]
[[Category:Inter Milan players]]
[[Category:Borussia Dortmund players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Ballon d'Or winners]]
[[Category:East Germany men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:East Germany men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Germany men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Dual internationalists (men's football)]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1992 players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]]
[[Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players]]
[[Category:German football managers]]
[[Category:Borussia Dortmund managers]]
[[Category:Bundesliga managers]]
[[Category:VfB Stuttgart managers]]
[[Category:FC Bayern Munich board members]]
[[Category:Corporate executives]]
[[Category:DDR-Oberliga players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Footballers from Bezirk Dresden]]
[[Category:Borussia Dortmund non-playing staff]]