E NEW YORK. Nov 10: German national team captain Lothar Matthaeus said Tuesday that he will leave Bayem Munich at the end of the year despite pressure to remain and will join the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer, reports Reuters.

Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer, who played for the star-studded New York Cosmos a generation ago. wants the veteran defender to remain with his team through the 1999-2000 Bundesliga season, according to a source close to Matthaeus.

Bayern reached the second stage of the European Champions League last week.

"I have a commitment to Bayern through December 31 and I am member of the MetroStars on January 1." Matthaeus told a news conference which Introduced him to US media.

"Of course it's a difficult decision which I made long ago. I’m not someone who looks back. I am someone who looks forward."

A number of Bayern officials. including former German international forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, are trying to convince Matthaeus, one of only two players to have played in five World Cups, to stay through the season, the source said.

Matthaeus. who needs only one international appearance to tie the world record of 143 held by Swedish goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli, has stated in the past he would like to play for Germany at the 2000 European Championship this summer.

"If the coach calls me up for next year's European Championship. we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Matthaeus is scheduled to play in his final Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen on December 18. take a vacation and report for MLS preseason training in Florida in February.

He is expected to boost the sagging fortunes of the MetroStars. who finished with a league all-time worst record of 7-25 under former coach Bora Milutinovic.

The MetroStars are seeking a new coach after Milutinovic

and the club parted ways two weeks ago.

"I don’t think one player alone can make a difference." Matthaeus said. "With a new commitment from the players, hopefully the team can be successful."

Asked about the quality of the play in the four-year-old league. Matthaeus replied. "I feel the level of play here in America is not as baa as it has been made out to be."

Matthaeus, who turns 39 on March 12. signed a one-year contract in August with Major League Soccer, which allocated him to the MetroStars.

"Obviously. I'm not the youngest one anymore," he said. *1 have to take things one year at a time. If at the end of the year I am still having fun. I would consider playing soccer (for another year).'

In a sporting gesture. MetroStars captain Tab Ramos presented Matthaeus with his No 10 jersey. US national team star Ramos has always worn that number.

'The league may go on for another 100 years." Ramos said. "We might not have another player like Lothar Matthaeus."