- The cult leader of Werder is dead
Willi Lemke is dead. The politician and former manager of Bundesliga football club Werder Bremen passed away on Monday, August 12, in Bremen. His family announced this in an obituary. Lemke was 77 years old. His family attributed his death to a brain hemorrhage. "His death makes us very sad and shocked, but we had the great fortune of being able to accompany him in his final hours," the obituary reads. Willi Lemke leaves behind a wife and four children.
"After a turbulent professional life as Werder manager, senator, and UN special envoy, Willi remains in our memory above all as a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, and family man who loved and cherished life and friendships," his family said.
Wilfried "Willi" Lemke was born on August 19, 1946, in Pönitz, Schleswig-Holstein, and grew up in Hamburg. There, in 1965, he became German school champion in the 4x400-meter relay as a gymnasiast.
Willi Lemke: Between SPD and Werder Bremen
Lemke later studied education and sports science in Hamburg and then switched to the University of Bremen. There, he joined the SPD and was active in its youth organization, the Jusos. In 1974, he became the business manager of the SPD state association in Bremen.
However, his love for sports remained. In 1981, he became the manager of Werder Bremen. With coach Otto Rehhagel (86), he built a team that became German champions in 1987 and won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1992. Legendary is Lemke's public feud with his Munich counterpart Uli Hoeneß (72) during this time.
After ending his managerial activities in 1995, Lemke remained with Werder Bremen, among other things, as chairman of the supervisory board. In parallel, he started his political career in the state. In 1999, he became Senator for Education and Science. In 2005, Lemke wanted to become the head of government of the Hanseatic city but did not receive enough votes. In 2007, he became Senator for the Interior and Sport.
But Bremen was not enough. From 2008 to 2016, Willi Lemke was "UN special advisor for sport in the service of peace and development."
"Green and white world stands still" Werder Bremen mourns Willi Lemke
Not only his closest relatives, but also his sporting family mourns Willi Lemke. "The green and white world stands still," posted the official Instagram account of Werder Bremen.
"The former manager and long-standing chairman of the supervisory board passed away on Monday at the age of 77 in Bremen," the statement said. And: "A lively and eventful life has come to an end. For almost two decades, Willi Lemke shaped SV Werder and decisively influenced a uniquely successful era."
Even the great northern rival, Hamburger SV, did not miss the opportunity to express their condolences. "A powerhouse of German football leaves the stage of life. Our thoughts are with the family and relatives. May Willi rest in peace," HSV commented on Instagram.
The family of Willi Lemke praised his dedication beyond politics, mentioning his role as a loving husband, father, and family man in Hamburg.
The official Instagram account of Werder Bremen, expressing their grief, stated that the "green and white world stands still" following the passing of their former manager and long-term supervisory board chairman.
