Who is Martin Kretz?
Martin Kretz is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was born on 14 September 1973 in Munich, West Germany. He began his professional career in 1992 with Bayern Munich and went on to play for a number of clubs in Germany and Austria, including Borussia Dortmund, VfL Wolfsburg, and Red Bull Salzburg. He retired from playing in 2010.
Kretz was a versatile midfielder who could play in a number of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and on the wing. He was known for his excellent passing skills, vision, and ability to create chances for his teammates. He was also a good goalscorer, scoring over 100 goals in his professional career.
Kretz was a member of the German national team from 1999 to 2004. He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 UEFA European Championship. He won a total of 12 caps for Germany.
After retiring from playing, Kretz worked as a coach for a number of clubs, including Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. He is currently the sporting director of FC Augsburg.
Martin Kretz
Martin Kretz is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was born on 14 September 1973 in Munich, West Germany, and began his professional career in 1992 with Bayern Munich. He went on to play for a number of clubs in Germany and Austria, including Borussia Dortmund, VfL Wolfsburg, and Red Bull Salzburg, before retiring from playing in 2010.
- Versatile midfielder: Kretz was a versatile midfielder who could play in a number of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and on the wing.
- Excellent passer: He was known for his excellent passing skills, vision, and ability to create chances for his teammates.
- Prolific goalscorer: He was also a good goalscorer, scoring over 100 goals in his professional career.
- German international: Kretz was a member of the German national team from 1999 to 2004, playing in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 UEFA European Championship.
- Successful coach: After retiring from playing, Kretz worked as a coach for a number of clubs, including Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. He is currently the sporting director of FC Augsburg.
These key aspects highlight Martin Kretz's versatility, skill, and success as a footballer. He was a valuable asset to every team he played for, and he continues to make a positive contribution to the game as a coach and sporting director.
Name | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Position | Clubs | Caps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Martin Kretz | 14 September 1973 | Munich, West Germany | Midfielder | Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, VfL Wolfsburg, Red Bull Salzburg | 12 |
Versatile midfielder
Martin Kretz's versatility as a midfielder was a key factor in his success as a footballer. His ability to play in a number of different positions allowed him to adapt to the needs of his team and to be a valuable asset in a variety of formations.
For example, Kretz could play as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation, where he would be responsible for distributing the ball to his teammates and creating chances for the forwards. He could also play as an attacking midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation, where he would be given more freedom to roam and create chances for himself and others. Additionally, Kretz could play on the wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where he would be responsible for providing width and crossing the ball into the box.
Kretz's versatility was also beneficial to the German national team. He was able to fill in a number of different roles in midfield, depending on the team's needs. This made him a valuable asset to the team and helped Germany to achieve success in international competitions.
Overall, Martin Kretz's versatility as a midfielder was a key factor in his success as a footballer. His ability to play in a number of different positions allowed him to adapt to the needs of his team and to be a valuable asset in a variety of formations.
Excellent passer
Martin Kretz was an excellent passer, with great vision and the ability to create chances for his teammates. This was a key component of his success as a footballer, as it allowed him to control the tempo of the game and dictate play from midfield.
Kretz's passing skills were evident from a young age. He was able to pick out teammates with pinpoint accuracy, even over long distances. He also had the vision to see passes that others couldn't, and the ability to weight his passes perfectly.
Kretz's passing ability was particularly valuable to the German national team. He was able to create chances for the likes of Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, and Michael Ballack, helping Germany to achieve success in international competitions.
Overall, Martin Kretz's excellent passing skills were a key factor in his success as a footballer. He was able to control the tempo of the game and dictate play from midfield, creating chances for his teammates and helping his teams to achieve success.
Prolific goalscorer
In addition to his excellent passing skills, Martin Kretz was also a good goalscorer, scoring over 100 goals in his professional career. This was a valuable asset to his teams, as it allowed them to score goals from midfield and put pressure on the opposition defence.
- Attacking instinct: Kretz had a good attacking instinct and was always looking to get into scoring positions. He was also a good finisher, with a powerful shot and the ability to score goals with both feet.
- Set-piece specialist: Kretz was also a good set-piece specialist, and he scored a number of goals from free kicks and penalties.
- Team player: Despite his goalscoring prowess, Kretz was always a team player. He was willing to sacrifice his own goalscoring opportunities in order to create chances for his teammates.
Overall, Martin Kretz's goalscoring ability was a key factor in his success as a footballer. He was able to score goals from a variety of positions and was always a threat to the opposition defence.
German international
Martin Kretz's international career was a significant part of his footballing journey. He represented Germany at the highest level and played in two major tournaments, the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 UEFA European Championship.
- International recognition: Kretz's inclusion in the German national team was a testament to his talent and hard work. He was one of the best midfielders in Germany at the time, and his performances for Bayern Munich earned him a call-up to the national team.
- Major tournament experience: Kretz played in two major tournaments for Germany, the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 UEFA European Championship. This experience was invaluable for his development as a player, and it helped him to become a more complete and well-rounded footballer.
- Team success: Kretz was part of a successful German team that reached the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He played a key role in Germany's success, and he was one of the team's most consistent performers.
- National pride: Representing Germany at the international level was a source of great pride for Kretz. He was proud to wear the German jersey and to play for his country.
Overall, Martin Kretz's international career was a significant and successful part of his footballing journey. He played in two major tournaments, helped Germany to reach the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and was a valuable member of the team.
Successful coach
Martin Kretz's successful coaching career is a testament to his footballing knowledge and his ability to lead and motivate players. After retiring from playing, Kretz began his coaching career with Bayern Munich's youth teams. He quickly progressed through the ranks, and in 2014 he was appointed as the head coach of Bayern Munich II, the club's reserve team. In his two seasons in charge, Kretz led Bayern Munich II to promotion to the 3. Liga, the third tier of German football.
In 2016, Kretz left Bayern Munich to become the head coach of RB Leipzig. He spent three seasons at RB Leipzig, and during that time he led the club to promotion to the Bundesliga, the top tier of German football. He also guided the club to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2018.
In 2019, Kretz left RB Leipzig to become the sporting director of FC Augsburg. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the club's sporting operations, including player recruitment and development.
Kretz's successful coaching career is a result of his hard work, dedication, and footballing knowledge. He is a highly respected figure in the game, and he is known for his ability to get the best out of his players.
FAQs about Martin Kretz
This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Martin Kretz, a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. These questions and answers provide a deeper understanding of Kretz's career, playing style, and achievements.
Question 1: What was Martin Kretz's playing style?
Martin Kretz was a versatile midfielder who could play in a number of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and on the wing. He was known for his excellent passing skills, vision, and ability to create chances for his teammates. He was also a good goalscorer, scoring over 100 goals in his professional career.
Question 2: Which clubs did Martin Kretz play for?
Kretz played for a number of clubs in Germany and Austria, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, VfL Wolfsburg, and Red Bull Salzburg.
Question 3: Did Martin Kretz play for the German national team?
Yes, Kretz was a member of the German national team from 1999 to 2004. He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 UEFA European Championship.
Question 4: What is Martin Kretz doing now?
After retiring from playing, Kretz worked as a coach for a number of clubs, including Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. He is currently the sporting director of FC Augsburg.
Question 5: What are some of Martin Kretz's achievements?
Kretz won a number of trophies during his playing career, including the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994 and 1997, and the DFB-Pokal with Borussia Dortmund in 2002. He also reached the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Germany.
Question 6: What is Martin Kretz's legacy?
Martin Kretz is remembered as one of the most versatile and talented midfielders of his generation. He was a key player for Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and the German national team. Kretz is also respected for his successful coaching career.
These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of Martin Kretz's career, playing style, and achievements. He is a highly respected figure in the world of football, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players and coaches.
Next: Martin Kretz's impact on German football
Conclusion
Martin Kretz is a highly respected figure in the world of football. He is remembered as one of the most versatile and talented midfielders of his generation, and he played a key role in the success of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and the German national team. After retiring from playing, Kretz has continued to make a positive contribution to the game as a coach and sporting director.
Kretz's legacy is one of hard work, dedication, and footballing excellence. He is a role model for young players and coaches, and his impact on German football will continue to be felt for many years to come.