Articles
Chris Bascombe on Didi Hamann
Hamann has become a modern equivalent of Jan Molby.
With every season, an extra tinge of a Merseyside accent has been noted, while if the sight of the Racing Post in the hand didn't convince you he was at home in the city, the dry wit and sense of humour confirmed it.
He'll be greatly missed at Anfield, but his departure would be another example of the necessary ruthlessness which drives the most successful football clubs.
Dull, methodical and colourless were among the more favourable characteristics associated with Germany's ultra-professional, robotic footballers when Hamann joined in 1999, wearing the kind of dodgy brown clobber parents used to make their six-year-olds wear in the mid-1970s.
You always knew great things were expected.
From the outset, Hamann succeeded in ruthlessly dismantling all German stereotypes. This was often infuriating for those who managed him, largely because of the contrast between how he trains and how he plays.
'The Kaiser' is a bit of contradiction in the modern game. Ask the supporters if they'd prefer someone who saved his best for 3pm on a Saturday, or wanted a fantastic trainer who never did the business when it matters, and there's nothing to consider.
By all accounts, this sums up Didi. He was always on his game during Liverpool's most memorable occasions, but probably had an absolute stinker in the final training session beforehand. From a supporter's point of view, who cares? Just recall those masterful performances against all the top European sides.
Whether Liverpool played Barcelona, Roma, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United or AC Milan, one of those you knew would never be found wanting was Hamann.
He also entered folklore as the only German to score a winning goal against England at Wembley which actually thrilled half of Merseyside.
That he's survived several anxious moments in the past, when he was close to leaving the club, is a tribute to Hamann's class on the biggest stage.
So often under the reign of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez it seemed Hamann's days were numbered, only for him to re-establish himself with another commanding performance, forcing an immediate rethink.
Perhaps that's why this 'obituary' should be kept in context since (at the time of writing) he's not officially gone yet. It should be remembered Hamann's first brush with an Anfield exit was as far back as 2002 in the aftermath of the last World Cup.
When Salif Diao was signed, the intention was to ease Hamann out, with the African bought specifically for the anchorman role. The quality of Hamann's performances, and indeed Diao's, soon put paid to that nonsense.
Last season's Champions League Final was also meant to be Hamann's swansong as his contract expired and a Bosman deal beckoned. But his role in the heroic Istanbul fightback saved him, Bolton's offer was politely declined, and a new Anfield deal was on the table.
Sadly for Didi, he was then hurt by unforeseen circumstances.
This time last year, Benitez didn’t know Momo Sissoko was available. Had he done so, it's unlikely Hamann would have been handed a two year deal.
Sissoko's success has firmly established his position as the number one defensive midfielder at the club, with Hamann's chances of featuring depending on the African either being injured or suspended.
But whatever his future holds, Hamann can be certain of a tremendous reception the next time he's at Anfield.
His medals, reliability against top opponents, and huge influence on key players such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher has never been underestimated by the fans.
Hamann is a player who could easily have been underrated on Merseyside, but never was. Alongside Sami Hyypia, he not only takes his place as the greatest signing Houllier ever made, but arguably one of the most important by any Liverpool manager.
This article originally appeared in Chris Bascombe's weekly Football Echo Column.
With every season, an extra tinge of a Merseyside accent has been noted, while if the sight of the Racing Post in the hand didn't convince you he was at home in the city, the dry wit and sense of humour confirmed it.
He'll be greatly missed at Anfield, but his departure would be another example of the necessary ruthlessness which drives the most successful football clubs.
Dull, methodical and colourless were among the more favourable characteristics associated with Germany's ultra-professional, robotic footballers when Hamann joined in 1999, wearing the kind of dodgy brown clobber parents used to make their six-year-olds wear in the mid-1970s.
You always knew great things were expected.
From the outset, Hamann succeeded in ruthlessly dismantling all German stereotypes. This was often infuriating for those who managed him, largely because of the contrast between how he trains and how he plays.
'The Kaiser' is a bit of contradiction in the modern game. Ask the supporters if they'd prefer someone who saved his best for 3pm on a Saturday, or wanted a fantastic trainer who never did the business when it matters, and there's nothing to consider.
By all accounts, this sums up Didi. He was always on his game during Liverpool's most memorable occasions, but probably had an absolute stinker in the final training session beforehand. From a supporter's point of view, who cares? Just recall those masterful performances against all the top European sides.
Whether Liverpool played Barcelona, Roma, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United or AC Milan, one of those you knew would never be found wanting was Hamann.
He also entered folklore as the only German to score a winning goal against England at Wembley which actually thrilled half of Merseyside.
That he's survived several anxious moments in the past, when he was close to leaving the club, is a tribute to Hamann's class on the biggest stage.
So often under the reign of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez it seemed Hamann's days were numbered, only for him to re-establish himself with another commanding performance, forcing an immediate rethink.
Perhaps that's why this 'obituary' should be kept in context since (at the time of writing) he's not officially gone yet. It should be remembered Hamann's first brush with an Anfield exit was as far back as 2002 in the aftermath of the last World Cup.
When Salif Diao was signed, the intention was to ease Hamann out, with the African bought specifically for the anchorman role. The quality of Hamann's performances, and indeed Diao's, soon put paid to that nonsense.
Last season's Champions League Final was also meant to be Hamann's swansong as his contract expired and a Bosman deal beckoned. But his role in the heroic Istanbul fightback saved him, Bolton's offer was politely declined, and a new Anfield deal was on the table.
Sadly for Didi, he was then hurt by unforeseen circumstances.
This time last year, Benitez didn’t know Momo Sissoko was available. Had he done so, it's unlikely Hamann would have been handed a two year deal.
Sissoko's success has firmly established his position as the number one defensive midfielder at the club, with Hamann's chances of featuring depending on the African either being injured or suspended.
But whatever his future holds, Hamann can be certain of a tremendous reception the next time he's at Anfield.
His medals, reliability against top opponents, and huge influence on key players such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher has never been underestimated by the fans.
Hamann is a player who could easily have been underrated on Merseyside, but never was. Alongside Sami Hyypia, he not only takes his place as the greatest signing Houllier ever made, but arguably one of the most important by any Liverpool manager.
This article originally appeared in Chris Bascombe's weekly Football Echo Column.
