Matthaeus becomes Hungary's coach
BUDAPEST, Hungary (Reuters) -- Lothar Matthaeus has been named as Hungary's new national team coach after his surprise resignation from Partizan Belgrade.
The Hungarian Football Association made the announcement after a board meeting early on Sunday.
Matthaeus, who was capped 150 times for West Germany and Germany, will sign a two-year contract covering the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
The 43-year-old quit Partizan on Saturday after just a year in charge at the Serbia and Montenegro club citing personal reasons.
He replaces Imre Gellei who stepped down earlier this month after Hungary's disappointing Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.
Gellei steered Hungary to just seven wins in 23 games, losing 12.
German media had reported that Matthaeus wanted to live in Budapest where his new wife, a Serbian businesswoman he married last month, has a business.
Hungary are drawn in Group Eight for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers with Sweden, Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta and Iceland.
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