He was born in Görlitz, Germany. He began his career in 1980 as a youth player with the local side Motor Görlitz. In 1986 he moved to Dynamo Dresden and in 1995 to TSV Munich 1860. He signed for Bayern München in 1998. All his club successes have come with Bayern München, three league championships (1999-2001) and victory in the Champion's League (2001).
He was given his first cap on November 15, 1997 in a friendly against South Africa. He was dropped from the national team during the build up to Euro 2000 when he called the side "pathetic". He was later reinstated in the national squad and played in the 2002 World Cup.