Torsten Frings 2004 double
German midfielder who played for Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Toronto FC, earning 79 caps for Germany.
Torsten Klaus Frings (born 22 November 1976) is a German former footballer and manager, who last managed SV Meppen. A former midfielder, throughout his career he played for several German clubs, namely Alemannia Aachen, Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich, before ending his career with Canadian MLS side Toronto FC. At international level, he played 79 matches for the Germany national team since his debut in 2001, and represented his nation at two European Championships and two FIFA World Cups.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Torsten Frings
- Position
- Defensive; Central Midfielder
- Club
- Werder Bremen (2000–2009)
- Honours won
- Bundesliga 2003–04; DFB-Pokal 2003–04
- Manager
- Thomas Schaaf
- National team
- Germany (including 2006 World Cup squad)
Lore & Background
Frings began his professional career at Alemannia Aachen before moving to Werder Bremen in 1996–97. He helped Werder Bremen to a German Cup final defeat of Bayern Munich in 1999 and tallied more than 160 Bundesliga appearances and 15 goals over five and a half seasons. He also helped them win the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup, scoring the decisive goal in the final against FK Vojvodina. In 2002, he opted for a four-year deal with Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of €10 million.
After a knee injury delayed his 2003–04 season, he signed a three-year contract with Bayern Munich. Despite winning the domestic double with Bayern, he never enjoyed his football in Munich and was played out of position by coach Felix Magath. In June 2005, he rejoined Werder Bremen for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. He ended his playing career with Toronto FC, where he became permanent captain and scored his first MLS goal on 27 June 2012. He retired in February 2013 due to a slow recovery from hip surgery.
Reader's Guide
Frings was a versatile midfielder, most comfortable in the centre, running deep from his own team's box to the opposition's box due to his work-rate, vision, solid first touch and passing with either foot. He was usually deployed as a defensive midfielder, known for his tackling, aerial play, and powerful shot from distance. He could also play as a defender, centre-back or sweeper. After retiring, he became a youth coach at Werder Bremen, then served as head coach of Darmstadt 98 (from 27 December 2016 to 9 December 2017) and SV Meppen (from 14 July 2020 to 14 April 2021).
Did You Know?
- Frings scored Germany's fourth goal in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup against Costa Rica with a powerful drive from more than 30 yards.
- He was suspended by FIFA for two games for his role in a brawl after Germany's 2006 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, missing the semi-final against Italy.
- The fictional character Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul was named after Torsten Frings.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in Werder Bremen
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