Pierre Littbarski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Pierre Littbarski

Littbarski in 2006
Personal information
Full name	Pierre Michael Littbarski
Date of birth	(1960-04-16) 16 April 1960 (age 65)
Place of birth	West Berlin, West Germany
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team	VfL Wolfsburg (lead scout)
Youth career
1967–1976	VfL Schöneberg
1976–1978	FC Hertha 03 Zehlendorf
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1978–1986	1. FC Köln	234	(89)
1986–1987	RC Paris	34	(4)
1987–1993	1. FC Köln	172	(27)
1993–1994	JEF United Ichihara	63	(10)
1996–1997	Brummell Sendai	29	(5)
Total		532	(135)
International career
1979–1982	West Germany U-21	21	(18)
1980	West Germany B	1	(0)
1981–1990	West Germany	73	(18)
Managerial career
1999–2000	Yokohama FC
2001	Bayer Leverkusen (assistant)
2001–2002	MSV Duisburg
2003–2004	Yokohama FC
2005–2006	Sydney FC
2006–2008	Avispa Fukuoka
2008	Saipa
2008–2010	FC Vaduz
2010–2011	VfL Wolfsburg (assistant)
2011	VfL Wolfsburg (caretaker)
2011–2012	VfL Wolfsburg (assistant)
Medal record Men's football Representing  West Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 1990 Italy Runner-up 1982 Spain Runner-up 1986 Mexico UEFA European Under-21 Championship Runner-up 1982
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Pierre Michael Littbarski (born 16 April 1960) is a German football manager and a former player. He was famous for his amazing dribbling skills. He mostly played as an attacking midfielder or a winger.

Littbarski was a big star for 1. FC Köln and the West Germany national team. He won the FIFA World Cup with West Germany in 1990. He also helped his team reach the World Cup final in 1982 and 1986.

Playing for Clubs

Littbarski spent most of his playing days at 1. FC Köln. He started playing for the club when he was just 18 years old. Some of the top players on the team back then were Harald Schumacher and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Winning the DFB-Pokal

In 1983, Littbarski scored the winning goal in the DFB-Pokal final. This is a big German cup competition. His team beat Fortuna Köln to win the trophy.

Bundesliga Success

Littbarski's teams were runners-up in the Bundesliga (Germany's top league) three times. This happened in 1982, 1989, and 1990. He was known for his excellent dribbling and fun personality. Fans in Germany loved him.

In 1985, one of his goals against Werder Bremen was even chosen as the "Goal of the Year". Later in his career, he also played for clubs in France and Japan. These included RC Paris, JEF United Ichihara, and Brummel Sendai.

Playing for His Country

Littbarski had a great but short time playing for the West German Under-21 team. He helped them reach the final of the 1982 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. They lost to England in a two-game final. Littbarski scored three goals in one of those games! He holds the record for the most goals scored for the German Under-21 team.

First Senior Team Games

Littbarski played his first game for the West Germany senior team on 14 October 1981. This was a World Cup qualifying match against Austria. He scored two goals in that game, which was a fantastic start to his international career.

World Cup Adventures

Littbarski played in three FIFA World Cups.

• 1982 World Cup: He scored his third international goal in the 1982 World Cup against Spain. In the semi-final against France, he scored the first goal. The game ended in a 3-3 draw and went to a penalty shootout. Littbarski scored his penalty, and West Germany won. They then lost 3-1 to Italy in the final.

• 1986 World Cup: This World Cup was in Mexico. West Germany reached the final again, but Littbarski did not play much. They lost 3-2 to Argentina in the final.

• 1990 World Cup: This was Littbarski's last World Cup, and it was a very successful one! West Germany won their third World Cup title. They beat Argentina 1-0 in the final in Rome. Littbarski scored one goal in the group stage against Colombia. He played in three of the four knockout stage games, including the final.

Coaching Career

After he stopped playing, Littbarski became a football coach.

Starting in Japan

In 1999, he began his coaching journey with Yokohama FC in Japan. He helped the club get promoted to a higher league. He coached Yokohama FC twice.

Coaching Sydney FC

From 2005 to 2006, Littbarski was the manager of Sydney FC in Australia. He led them to win the first-ever A-League Championship. He also took them to the FIFA Club World Championship in 2005. Fans and the media often noticed his stylish brown suits. He left Sydney FC in 2006 after disagreements about his contract.

Other Coaching Roles

Littbarski also coached other teams, including Avispa Fukuoka in Japan, Saipa F.C. in Iran, and FC Vaduz in Liechtenstein.

Return to Germany

In 2010, he became an assistant coach at VfL Wolfsburg in Germany. For a short time in 2011, he was the main manager for VfL Wolfsburg after the previous coach left.

Why "Pierre"?

Littbarski once shared that his parents named him "Pierre" because they loved France. They remembered their trips there when thinking of a name for their son.

Honours and Awards

Littbarski won many awards and titles during his career.

• With 1. FC Köln:

* DFB-Pokal (German Cup): 1983 * UEFA Cup runner-up: 1986

• With West Germany U21:

* UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 1982

• With West Germany:

* FIFA World Cup: 1990 * FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1982, 1986

• Individual Awards:

* Top scorer in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1982 * Chosen for the kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season multiple times. * Top assist provider at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. * Scored the "Goal of the Year (Germany)" in 1985. * Added to the Sydney FC Hall of Fame in 2015.

See also

In Spanish: Pierre Littbarski para niños