GERMAN legend Lothar Matthaus is reportedly being lined up as successor to Werner Lorant at 1860 Munich. The Lions boss is under increasing pressure to quit his post after allegations of match fixing and poor results at home and abroad.

Matthaus, who shunned the chance to manage Eintracht Frankfurt, has emerged as the number one candidate for 1860 in spite of the fact that he was a hero at local rivals Bayern Munich.

Lorant, 46, is expected to be ejected from the Olympic Stadium hot-seat if his team are unable to overcome Newcastle United in the semi-final second leg of the Intertoto cup.

Matthaus, who won a record 150 caps for Germany, hinted that he would accept the managerial position if it was offered.

"I see no problem in being successor to Lorant. My relationship with 1860 has never been complicated. I'm open to every kind of offers," stated the 40-year-old.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 2001