Ahead of Germany's final group game against Northern Ireland, bwfc.co.uk profile a player who spent just 24 hours at the club back in the mid-noughties
With reigning world champions Germany in action against Northern Ireland today, bwfc.co.uk's ongoing series throughout Euro 2016 continues as we profile a former World Cup runner-up who boasts the shortest Wanderers career in the club's history.DIETMAR HAMANN
GERMANY (1997-2005)
59 CAPS 5 GOALS
European Championships: 2 (EURO 2000 AND EURO 2004)
Best Stage Reached: GROUP-STAGES
Tournament Appearances: 6
Tournament Goals:0
A World Cup runner-up with Germany in 2002, Dietmar Hamann was unable to taste similar success with Die Mannschaft in the European Championships during his eight-year long international career.
Starting his career with Bayern Munich, the midfielder won two Bundesliga titles, the German Cup, the German League Cup and the UEFA Cup during his time with the Bavarian giants, with his form earning him a maiden international call-up in 1997.
After making a goalscoring debut against South Africa, Hamann was included in Germany’s squad for the World Cup the following year, featuring in all five of their matches as they suffered a quarter-final exit against Croatia.
Moving on to Newcastle United before signing for Liverpool in 1999, Hamann cemented his place as first choice for Germany as he helped them qualify for Euro 2000, scoring against Northern Ireland along the way.
Reigning European Champions following their Euro 1996 success heading into the tournament, Germany opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Romania with the midfielder coming on as a 73rd minute substitute.
Named in the starting XI for the Germans’ second group game against England, Alan Shearer’s second half header saw them slip to their first competitive defeat against the Three Lions since the 1966 World Cup Final.
Heading into their last game against Portugal needing a victory to stand any chance of progressing, Sergio Conceicao’s hat-trick ensured Germany suffered a shock early exit.
Facing England again in 2002 World Cup qualification just a few months later, Hamann famously scored the last ever goal at the old Wembley Stadium as Germany clinched a 1-0 victory.
Bouncing back from his European Championships disappointment at club-level, he helped Liverpool lift the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup during their 2000/01 treble-winning season.
A member of the Germany side that lost 5-1 at home to England in the return qualifier in Munich, Hamann helped Die Mannschaft recover to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea courtesy of a play-off victory over Ukraine.
Unfancied before the tournament, Germany signalled their intent early on as they opened the tournament with an 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, going on to progress to the knock-out stages after drawing with Republic of Ireland and beating Cameroon.
Hamann missed their second round victory over Paraguay through suspension having been an ever-present throughout the group stages, but immediately returned to the side as they beat USA and South Korea to reach the final.
However, facing off against Brazil and the “Three R’s” of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, Germany were unable to clinch their fourth World Cup title as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat.
A League Cup winner with Liverpool again in 2003, injury saw Hamann miss most of Germany’s Euro 2004 qualification campaign, but he was still named in their squad for the finals in Portugal.
An ever-present in the group stages, Hamann helped Germany draw 1-1 with the Netherlands in their opening match, before being held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against minnows Latvia in their second outing.
Despite needing a victory in their last game against Czech Republic to guarantee their place in the knock-out stages, Germany again suffered a shock early exit as Milan Baros, the midfielder’s team-mate at Liverpool, netted a late winner to inflict a 2-1 defeat on the Germans.
Again bouncing back in memorable fashion with Liverpool, Hamann came off the bench to help the Reds famously lift the Champions League the following year, coming back from 3-0 down to win on penalties against AC Milan.
Handed an international recall against the Netherlands at the start of the 2005/06 season as a result, he failed to impress new manager Jurgen Klinsmann and officially announced his international retirement after missing out on a place in Germany’s squad as they hosted the 2006 World Cup.
Still contributing at club-level, he won the FA Cup against West Ham United in his final appearance for Liverpool in 2006 before joining Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer.
However, a change of heart saw Hamann on the move just 24 hours later as he signed for Manchester City without kicking a ball for the Trotters.
Following three years at City, he finished his career with MK Dons, making 13 appearances as player-coach before hanging up his boots in February 2011 to take up the position of first team coach at Leicester City.
After a brief stint as Stockport County manager, Hamann has since embarked on a media career and is now working as a football pundit.