BERLIN. March 2: German international libero Lothar Matthaeus told German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung on Wednesday that national team coach Erich Ribbeck needs help, reports AFP.

Matthaeus was speaking after claims that the players - and not Ribbeck - were deciding tactics during last week's 2-1 defeat by Holland in a friendly match.

"Erich Ribbeck needs help. We must all speak together. Ribbeck. two or three players and (Ribbeck s assistant)'Uli Stielike." Matthaeus told the newspaper.

"(German football legend) Franz Beckenbauer has already done that. (Bayern coach) Ottmar Hitzfeld should also so we can come to an opinion."

"When we are together for our next match with Croatia we must immediately discuss everything however late it is." Matthaeus added with an eye on the looming Euro 2000 tournament.

Germany and AC Milan striker Oliver Bierhoff backed up Matthaeus. who won a world record 144th cap against Holland. when he told German press agency SID: "We must sit around a table, pull things out Into the open and take firm decisions which we must stick to."

Ribbeck denies he has lost any authority and also re proached his assistant Stielike for a lack of diplomacy.

A German international, speaking under condition of anonymity, told German mag azine Kicker on Monday that Bierhoff and midfielder Jens Jeremies had ordered tactical changes during the match while Ribbeck remained silent.

Ribbeck admitted Tuesday that there had been a vehement discussion but described the claims in Kicker as "totally stupid and false".

It’s me who ordered the changes." insisted Ribbeck.