Glorious past weighs heavily on Voller's shoulders

Germany’s glorious World Cup past ensures the weight of expectation will sit firmly on the shoulders of coach Rudi Voller when this summer’s tournament starts on May 31.

When you have kissed and lifted the most glittering prize in football as a player, as Voller did alongside a star-studded Germany line-up in 1990, the pressure to do so again as manager is almost intolerable.

The problem for Voller is the talent currently at his disposal does not compare to the legends of more than a decade ago and beyond, such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Muller.

Germany no longer possesses the star name to capture the imagination of the public, yet they still demand success at every competition for that is what they similar to Brazil’s fans have become used to.

But the new millennium, far from ushering in a new wave of German domination, has failed to make any kind of impact other than for the wrong reasons both on and off the field.

Voller was appointed initially on a caretaker basis following Germany’s remarkable first-round exit at Euro 2000, but was then asked to take over full time after coach-elect Christoph Daum was embarrassingly cast aside after testing positive for cocaine.

Qualification for the World Cup then began in positive fashion as Voller’s Germany beat old enemy England 1-0 in the final game at Wembley, a result which prompted the resignation of Kevin Keegan.

Progress was smooth, if not spectacular, until one harrowing September night in Munich as England enacted sweet revenge, not just for that last Twin Towers hurrah, but for other more painful defeats throughout the preceding years.

Germany 1 England 5 stated the Olympiastadion scoreboard in bright white neon, a result compounded by the fact Voller’s father was taken ill and rushed to hospital during the game, which the situation kept from him until after the final whistle.

It was only Germany’s second defeat in World Cup qualifying history, and when they followed that with a goalless home draw with Finland, Voller was resigned to guiding his side through the ignominy of the play-offs.

A credible performance against Ukraine led to Voller, who had previously been asked to do no more than lead the team to Japan and South Korea, being handed a new contract up to and including the 2006 finals in Germany.

At the time, Voller said: ‘‘I accept the challenge and I am grateful for the trust that has been placed in me.

‘‘I’ve had the feeling over the last 16 months that something has started to grow. We can build on that and that’s why my decision was an easy one to make.’’

It was expected Voller would resign after this World Cup and return to his role as sports director at Bayer Leverkusen where he had a deal with the club until 2003, but after high-level talks he agreed to the long-term national role.

German football association president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder and vice-president Beckenbauer both gave Voller their unwavering support, only for the much-loved striker who scored 47 goals in 90 appearances for his country to have since cast uncertainty over his position.

Voller is determined to head into the finals, starting with Group E matches against Saudi Arabia, Republic of Ireland and Cameroon, with all guns blazing.

If he fails he will suffer the consequences.

Placing himself under intense pressure, he said: ‘‘I want to combine success with attractiveness.

‘‘I remember in that game against the Finns we were much too fearful and passive, particularly in the first half.

‘‘What I expect from a national player is quite simple that he looks for the one-on-one situation and takes risks.

‘‘But I must be realistic and see our immediate goal as the quarter-finals for the time being. Should I encounter any problems I will not be hanging on to my job come what may.’’

Voller is at least confident of progressing beyond the group and into the knockout phase, with the former Leverkusen player pinpointing the Republic as his main rivals.

‘‘Ireland may not be a top name but you have to look at their current form and from what they did in qualifying,’’ added Voller.

‘‘They qualified by beating Holland so they have to be regarded as very dangerous opponents. They have many players in the Premier League and they will be extremely tough to beat.

‘‘Overall, I think we have a reasonably difficult group. Cameroon are certainly the best African team, so it is going to be important to make a good start by winning our first game against Saudi Arabia.

‘‘But I am optimistic of qualifying from the group. I think we can do it.’’