- Hoeneß mourns Willi Lemke: "a man of controversy"
Bayern Munich's honorary president Uli Hoeneß has expressed his condolences following the death of his long-standing rival Willi Lemke. "The news of Willi Lemke's death has saddened me," Hoeneß said in a statement on Tuesday. "Willi Lemke was a controversial figure: everyone knows we often debated and clashed. But he was also a man of dialogue, and ultimately we found a good relationship. He greatly enriched the Bundesliga and German football."
Lemke passed away on Monday at the age of 77. As manager, he shaped SV Werder Bremen in the 80s and 90s into Munich's biggest sporting rival at the time. Personally, Hoeneß and Lemke often clashed during this period. "My sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to Werder Bremen - the club that would not be what it is today without Willi Lemke," said the long-serving Bayern manager.
The current FC Bayern board chairman also expressed his condolences. "FC Bayern mourns with the family and friends, with Werder Bremen, and with the entire German football community for Willi Lemke," said Jan-Christian Dreesen. "Willi Lemke was a straightforward, opinionated man who didn't shy away from resistance. There's no doubt he shaped German football."
The Bremen, led by the influential figure of Willi Lemke, consistently challenged Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga during the 80s and 90s. Despite their professional rivalry, Uli Hoeneß acknowledged Lemke's significant impact on German football and Werder Bremen, his former adversary's club.
