Upon concealing the alleged "foolish" Hrubesch within the Westerwald, the netzer acted.
Today, football icon Günter Netzer commemorates his 80th birthday. His athletic pinnacle came during the 1972 European Championship quarter-final clash against England. The signing of player Horst Hrubesch, however, was less amusing for the exceptional soccer player.
Coach Helmut Schön, enamored by this near-legendary encounter between the German national team and England during the spring of 1972 at Wembley Stadium, London, couldn't get enough of it. This memorable round-of-16 encounter in the 1972 European Championship continues to be hailed as one of the German national team's all-time best performances. The mesmerizing "Ramba-Zamba magic mix" (Bild), orchestrated by Franz Beckenbauer and Günter Netzer as a sort of dual defensive midfielder, befuddled the English squad and left the entire global soccer community in awe. "Dream football from the year 2000," declared French sports newspaper "L'Équipe," and Netzer, the team's star, later added, "In Wembley, we were very close to perfection."
On this occasion, Netzer will undoubtedly reflect upon this remarkable occasion in his career. Schön would often remark about these magical 90 minutes, "This was Günter Netzer's finest performance." The Borussia Monchengladbach player most likely played his best game that day, showcasing remarkable chemistry with Beckenbauer and leaving an indelible impression on the English defense. Karl-Heinz Bohrer, an author, penned one of the most compelling descriptions of this remarkable moment, "The unexpected Günter Netzer bursting through from the depths of the field carried 'thrill'. 'Thrill' is the surprise move; it is the conversion of geometry into energy, the intoxicatingly joyous explosion in the penalty area, 'thrill' is the masterful conclusion, the beginning and the end." That night in London signified the zenith of footballer Günter Netzer.
Reflecting on his mundane existence, the celebrant recently shared with the "Saarbrücken Zeitung," "My life is so dull." Such a sentiment is entirely fitting for an 80-year-old. Netzer's life, however, was anything but ordinary during his prime years. According to Beckenbauer, "Günter Netzer was never truly a footballer. He ventured to Las Vegas, established his nightclub, and engaged in various activities. During his brief period of focus, he excelled, but shortly after, he could no longer sustain it. In Las Vegas, one does not get fit, you understand!"
Karl Oberholzer, Grasshopper Zurich's former president, recalled signing the aging star for a brief stint in Switzerland following his tenures at Borussia Monchengladbach and Real Madrid, "I felt as if I was buying the Marlene Dietrich of football." Netzer has remained an unconventional and captivating figure in German football, boldly pursuing his convictions. As he once put it, "With me, you always knew where you stood."
During the 1966/67 season, Netzer declared, "I had had enough." Four weeks of South American heat, seven matches under the scorching sun, culminating in a tough season, prompted his decision. No, responded Netzer, and he embarked on the return journey after just two weeks – without seeking permission from anyone. "I was just homesick," he explained. "I wasn't ready for such a long excursion with the team. The return voyage was an adventure in itself. I had no ticket, barely any money. I only remember crossing the Panama Canal somehow to get home."
The Borussia Monchengladbach teammates were indignant. They demanded an immediate raise in bonuses and threatened to leave if Netzer continued to receive special treatment. President Beyer and manager Grashoff agreed and granted most of their demands. A few years later, such leniency would not have been shown, acknowledging the eccentricities of Netzer. Berti Vogts, a teammate of Netzer, shared insights into their team dynamic, "Netzer was the sole authority on the field. We ten others unquestioningly submitted to him. We knew what he meant to our game." Netzer had a singular responsibility during those days, according to Vogts, "When things went awry, I had to boost his morale, or else he would give up." And Netzer once said, "I always had enough on my plate, I couldn't attend to others as well."
Those were extraordinary years in Monchengladbach. Neither the personal comfort zones that present-day clubs provide for their athletes nor the luxuries enjoyed by modern-day pros were present during those times. Vogts still recalls those simpler times, adding, "Our team, including Netzer, played a special role in those days."
Under coach Henne Weisweiler, the young colts learned to sprint. The dynamic between Netzer and his coach was rocky from the start and only grew more complex. Weisweiler once dropped a charming remark, with Netzer at the center: "Offside is when the long leg acts too late." And then came the legendary 1973 cup final between Rhine rivals Cologne and Mönchengladbach. For Netzer, who would move to Real Madrid after that season if he had played, it would have been his swan song for Borussia - if he had played. But first, he was on the bench. When he could no longer take it at 1:1 in extra time, he subbed himself in. The Cologne player Heinz Simmet still marvels at Netzer's determination: "And then he smashes it in with his weak foot. If he had scored, he would have felled a man in the stands."
Netzer's Entrepreneurial Spirit
Netzer was just as skilled and gifted off the field as he was on it. While most professional athletes claim they have no time for anything else besides sports, Netzer, even in his youth, managed a whole stable of businesses. He published Borussia's stadium magazine, ran a disco, and operated a small insurance company. His team included "two bartenders, an insurance agent, two waitresses, a deputy manager, three advertising specialists, a doorman, and the boss - a complete team," as Peter Bizer wrote in his 1971 book "Netzer: The Rebel on the Ball."
Netzer's teammates were intrigued by his life. One day, the tall blonde saw Rainer Bonhof reading a book about high society in a training camp. When Netzer asked what he was doing, Bonhof smugly replied, "I just wanted to know what happens in your circles."
Netzer and Hrubesch's Saga
Netzer wasn't interested in small change. Few know that in 1972, Guenther Netzer worked as a public relations manager for the Wolfenbuettel spirits company Mast, earning a salary of 100,000 DM - the same amount Braunschweig Eintracht earned for shirt sponsorship. Mast had ambitious plans for the Gladbach football star: "You say Netzer, you think Jaegermeister! He doesn't even need to carry the bottle."
After his playing career, Netzer didn't need to work for money, especially since he seamlessly transitioned to the role of manager at HSV. There, he experienced an extraordinary story. Although not yet residing in Hamburg, he was already scouting for new talent, including Horst Hrubesch.
Netzer recalls, "I discovered him in Switzerland through the newspaper. He had scored 42 goals in the second league. I said, 'That's a résumé you can't ignore, because you don't score 42 goals in the second league just like that.' I signed him, but he had also signed another contract in Frankfurt. The Eintracht coach at the time was Dettmar Cramer, who had pastoral traits. If he talked to someone, he convinced them - and especially my good-natured Horst. Hrubesch always said to me, 'Don't worry, I'm not going to Frankfurt.' But I had to tell him, 'My dear Horst, we have a small problem: you've signed a contract!'"
With the help of the well-known and feared player agent Holger Klemme, Hrubesch was hidden for 14 days, among other places, in the beautiful Westerwald. Eventually, the Frankfurt contract was canceled. Klemme later said, "Netzer was living on pills at the time!" This was because Netzer had only known Hrubesch from the newspaper. Netzer said, "And then I had the pleasure of seeing him play live for the first time, in a game of Rot-Weiss Essen. At first, I was sitting upright in my seat. By halftime, I was only half sitting upright because Hrubesch's performance was dismal. By the end, I would have liked to crawl under my chair in shame. I thought to myself, 'Netzer, this was your first and last signing as HSV manager. It was an embarrassment to watch.' But in the end, it was this very Horst Hrubesch who would significantly shape the golden age of Hamburger SV."
Many years later, Günter Netzer dived into the now-legendary TV adventure with Gerhard Delling. The two became a moderator duo that would make history. Their exchanges became cult classics. Their banter filled in for many mediocre games. Typical exchanges like this were common: Netzer to Delling, "I keep saying, you never listen to me!" Delling, "At your age, you wouldn't notice if someone was listening to you anyway."
After his departure as a TV moderator, it became noticeably quieter around Günter Netzer. Many TV viewers lamented his departure, but for the tall blonde, it was inevitable: "I have a fear of people who have to be dragged off the stage with a lasso." He had found the right time to retire: "I feel that it's enough. I've talked enough. I can hardly stand to see and hear myself anymore."
"I'm genuinely content," Günter Netzer shared with 'Saarbrücken Zeitung' recently, speaking about his present life. He further expressed, "This level of satisfaction is something I've strived for all along." It's indeed commendable, congratulations are in order for the 1972 European Champion, 1974 World Champion, and multiple German Champion. Here's wishing a splendid 80th birthday to Günter Netzer! Happy Birthday and continue shining!
In celebration of his 80th birthday, Günter Netzer, the 1972 European Championship star, may reflect on the German national football team's exceptional performance against England, particularly his own extraordinary performance during that match. Regarding his post-playing career, Netzer's entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he managed businesses off the field while playing for Borussia Monchengladbach.
