The subtle escalation of the disagreement between Hoeneß and Lemke starts to simmer.
Today, the age-old adversaries Werder Bremen and FC Bayern Munich lock horns yet again in the Nord-Süd Cup. Historically, this has also been the clash of luminaries Uli Hoeneß and Willi Lemke. This long-standing feud originated in a rather serene manner. It was on November 23, 1985, as FC Bayern Munich took on SV Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, that the 16th round of the 1985/86 season played out at home. At the time, Bremen topped the leaderboard, boasting a three-point advantage. Bayern, being slightly peeved, played rougher than ever on the pitch.
Then, an incident occurred. In the 16th minute, Munich's defender Klaus Augenthaler tackled the surging Rudi Völler without a chance to intercept the ball. Völler suffered injuries and was substituted. He would be sidelined for months. Augenthaler, post-match, seemed rather apathetic, stating, "I only saw a green-white figure rushing towards our penalty area." His coach Udo Lattek somewhat blamed Völler for his injury, "Rudi is too fast!"
Hoeneß also played his part, deciding that football was a game for men, not boys. Bremen was deeply affected by this, as Otto Rehhagel put it beautifully, "Without Völler, we are an orchestra without the first violin. We can only play well, but not beautifully." Ironically, it was Bayern's team doctor Dr. Müller-Wohlfarth who helped heal Völler, and discovered an issue with his groin. Benno Möhlmann humorously added, "I certainly won't be visiting Munich after that, or I might find a weak mind in me too."
Völler would have gone to Antarctica too
The press in Bremen reacted less lightheartedly. A media furor erupted around the striker. But Völler remained unflustered, "I didn't think much of it. I went to Munich because I thought I would find assistance there. I would've even gone to Antarctica if someone had promised to help me there." And Bremen could surely use Völler's help in the title chase. Without him, they had to fight tooth and nail for the championship until the very end. As expected, Bayern clinched the championship – after Bremen's Kutzop missed a crucial penalty at home against Munich in the 33rd round. And even now, in Bremen, they haven't forgotten what happened to Rudi Völler all those years ago.
Even the late Willi Lemke never forgave Bayern and Hoeneß for November 23, 1985. To him, it was bewildering that no apologies were issued by Hoeneß's inner circle. He felt personally offended that Bayern, instead of expressing remorse, instead blamed Völler for his severe injuries. From that day forward, the silent animosity became public. Even though Lemke stated decades later, "My dislike for him might not be as apparent, but it's every bit as emotional" — millions of football fans witnessed in the media shortly after the incident in Munich how the rivalry between Hoeneß and Lemke intensified further.
ZDF broadcasted live from the Weser Stadium just a few weeks following Augenthaler's tackle on Völler. And Lemke spoke directly to the Bremen audience, "No boos, no jeers when Töpperwien rules the first goal as offside and the penalty as dubious. We don't align with the Zulus and we aren't in Munich!"
Subtle jabs like these slowly escalated the situation between the two alpha males. And when the 1985/86 season ended in a disappointing manner for Bremen with Bayern claiming the championship – only prevented by Kutzop missing a decisive penalty at home against Bayern in the 33rd round – there was still an opportunity for reconciliation. However, Hoeneß stated stubbornly to Lemke, "That's not a manager, that's a press spokesman. He has labeled the FC Bayern as the enemy. I don't pity anyone, but him, Lemke."
The longstanding feud between the two made headlines across Germany for years to follow. Despite the Bundesliga as a whole benefiting from this media-fueled hostility, it certainly wasn't beneficial for both teams at their core, as it went far beyond the usual sports rivalry. Hoeneß wouldn't cease in mocking Lemke even after he had left Werder to return to politics, saying, "It's fascinating that a man with such character can become a minister in a federal state and be responsible for education."
And even Lemke, although the two reconciled temporally, didn't shy away from sarcasm. In 2019, the former Werder manager remarked, "When I see Bayern Munich play, I don't turn it on because I don't want to see them win five to zero. But if I hear they're losing, then I will turn it on."
"I'll never find harmony with him, no way," was a statement made by Uli Hoeneß. The unexpected departure of Willi Lemke on August 12, the influential figure of FC Bayern Munich for many years, prompted Uli to soften his stance: "The news hit me hard. Willi Lemke, a figure of contention, everyone's aware of our frequent disagreements and arguments. Yet, he was also a man of discussions, and we managed to establish a decent rapport in the end." And thus wrapped up a tale that initiated subtly in the background at the Munich Olympic Stadium about 39 years ago, only to amplify drastically, concluding in a tranquil tribute a few weeks ago.
In light of their historical rivalry, FC Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen continue their animosity in the Nord-Süd Cup, with Uli Hoeneß and Willi Lemke leading their respective sides. Despite the passage of time, Hoeneß has yet to apologize for the incident involving Rudi Völler during their confrontation in 1985.
After the infamous tackle by Klaus Augenthaler in 1985, Völler faced months of rehabilitation, but remained determined to return to the field with Werder Bremen in their title chase.
