Birth Date: August 27 1973
Birth Place: Waldsasson
Birth Nation: Germany
Height: 189cm
Weight: 73Kg
Nationality: German
Position: Midfielder
Hamann started his career at Wacker Munich But in 1989 at 16 years old he joined top German Club Bayern Munich In his nine years there he won two Bundesliga titles, the German Cup and Uefa Cup. He then joined Newcastle United in the summer of 1998 after the World Cup for a ?5.5 million fee but spent just one season at St James' Park before deciding to move on to Liverpool, having had the choice of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal
The 1999/00 campaign started badly when he injured his ankle ligament on the opening day and missed the first two months of the season. During the 2000/01 season Hamman was back to his best and helped Liverpool reach three cup finals. The German international made history in October 2000 when he scored the last ever goal at Wembley as Germany triumphed 1-0 over England in a World Cup qualifying match.
Hamann was also a member of the German team that finished runners-up to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup and was the first Liverpool player since Roger Hunt to appear in a World Cup final
Dietmar Hamann Rumours and Transfers
11 08 2007
Sven-Goran Eriksson enjoyed a glorious start to life at Manchester City as goals from Rolando Bianchi and Geovanni, 2 of his summer signings, condemned The Hammers to that old familiar losing feeling.
With a side virtually thrown together in the space of a month, Eriksson found the potent combination of an effective and winning performance, with the promise of much more to come when his 8 new boys in the end find their feet.
His opposite number Alan Curbishley, a one time candidate for the Swede's old job, must be anxious about his side's pitiful display at the starting of a campaign which promised so much after the troubles of last term.
In fact, the high point of an otherwise horrible day for The Hammers was Dean Ashton's return, and even he would not wipe the smile off Eriksson's face. Given the mostly negative manner in which his time in charge of the England side is remembered, Eriksson might have expects a rather more frosty reception than he actually received.
He had taken his place in the dug out relatively unnoticed as the home fans blew their pre match bubbles and did not emerge until City were ahead. Other than an isolated cat-call, the only boos Eriksson heard were reserved for the The Hammers players following a bitterly disappointing contest as far as the home fans were concerned.
Inspite of dominating possession for long periods in the opening period, Curbishley's side failed miserably to put any load on Kasper Schmeichel, the inexperienced City goalkeeper. Eriksson must have feared for the 20 year old, son of Man Utd legend Peter, when he named him in a starting line up featuring 6 Premier League debutants.
Yet Schmeichel was a virtual spectator as City's defence, protected superbly by Dietmar Hamann and Michael Johnson, kept them at arm's length. All the threat came from the visitors, with Martin Petrov particularly prolific in the shooting department.
The Bulgarian midfielder let fly from all angles without being able to beat Robert Green.
It was Elano who provided the touch of class though. One of Eriksson's 8 summer signings, even though presumably someone the Swede did at least previously view on TV given his Champions League experience with Shakhtar Donetsk and international background with Brazil, most recently in their triumphant Copa America campaign, Elano enjoyed a superb introduction to the English game.
Deployed only behind lone forward Bianchi, he found space intelligently, never lost his composure and always threatened to cause problems. The 26 year old had already fired one snap-shot over when he collected Stephen Ireland's short pass after Luis Boa Morte had lost possession inside the City half.
Quickly sensing Matthew Upson might lack half a yard of pace, Elano ran straight at the England defender, then missed round him with the minimum of fuss. The low cross invited a far post finish and Bianchi, 4th highest scorer in Serie A last term, was on hand to tap home.
Curbishley gave a clear indication of what he thought about West Ham's attempts to level by hauling off both Boa Morte and Lee Bowyer during the interval.
For the moment Ashton, the man most home fans and Steve McClaren, the watching England coach, really would like to see, remained on the bench. However, the introduction of Matthew Etherington instantly brought the home side more threat.
Micah Richards needed all his impressive strength to prevent Craig Bellamy getting his head to Freddie Ljungberg's cross and with Schmeichel suddenly starting to wobble, the Hammers seemed to have added impetus.
Ljungberg was an inch away from turning home Etherington's cross but, with only under half an hour remaining Curbishley called on Ashton, who had not played a game since breaking an ankle on England duty 12 months ago.
Yet, with Richards matching Ashton stride for stride and jump for jump, the move actually stopped West Ham's flow, allowing City to force themselves back into the contest.
Green was unconvincing as he fumbled Petrov's shot and only Ireland's slack pass prevented the midfielder being offered another sight of the The Hammers goal.
Ashton almost celebrated his return with a goal 11 minutes from time as Etherington picked him out with a deep cross and his 1st time volley from 10 yards skimmed the crossbar.
It was the nearest The Hammers came to spoiling Eriksson's day before substitute Geovanni thundered home the 2nd 4 minutes from time.
08 08 2007
Veteran midfielder Dietmar Hamann has declared his intention to be part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City revolution.
After bringing in 8 new players since succeeding Stuart Pearce as manager in the summer, Eriksson is now looking at letting others leave.
Misfiring forwards Georgios Samaras, Darius Vassell and Paul Dickov are reportedly bound for the Eastlands exit door, along with Ousmane Dabo, Ishmael Miller and former England international Danny Mills, who was informed by Eriksson he has no future at the club.
It would have been no surprise if Hamann found himself surplus to requirements either after being restricted to only 14 starts during an injury hit debut campaign with the Blues following his controversial switch from Liverpool via Bolton.
However, the 33 year old can sense a momentum building at City and is keen to scrap for a place in Eriksson's plans.
"We have several midfielders now however it does not worry me. Whoever comes in, I will fight for my place and I will be ready," he informed the club's website.
"I have never feared competition and I will not this season either. I did not play well enough last year however I have had a good pre season, with no injuries, and I am looking forward to Saturday."
