Firecracker at 70: Neururer's Last Stand - The Trophy of Glory
Achieving Europa Cup Victory Continues to Elude Neururer at the Age of 70 - Dreaming dreamt by Neururer, age 70 assuredly remains unrealized
"Peter Neururer," he says, with a twinkle in his eye, "I ain't one to kick up a fuss over things I can't control." Yet, there's a noticeable fire in his spirit, ready to ignite at the mere mention of FC Schalke 04.
In a career spanning 12 distinct clubs in German professional football, Schalke has had a special place in his heart. The melodrama surrounding his dismissal from the Gelsenkirchen giants, as they stood on the brink of Bundesliga promotion in the second league, is a tale well-told in German football folklore.
When the Schalke name is spoken, Neururer's ire stirs. "Schalke 04 is integral to my life," he says, voicing his frustration at the current state of affairs at the Royal Blues. "There's a whole lot going wrong. People involved who clearly don’t know jack about football," he growls, casting a suspicious eye on the recent controversy surrounding interim coach Kees van Wonderen, who steps down at season's end.
Neururer can't stand the incompetence and the mockery of the beloved club. "No one on this planet could lift this team from the depths," he roars. And the public disgrace? "It's never been this bad. I've seen it all," barks Neururer.
Many have walked the same path as him, considering the numerous posts he's held. Those who've shared the trenches with him have a more sympathetic view of him compared to those who critique from a distance. Christoph Kramer, a former pupil under Neururer at VfL Bochum and a World Cup champion in 2014, later hailed him as "the perfect firefighter for every team in the world."
But the days of being a coach have passed for Neururer. "I ain't feelin' it anymore," says the charismatic Harley-riding mustachio. But there are exceptions—for clubs he holds near and dear: "If Schalke, FC Cologne, or Bochum were near collapse. But otherwise, I wouldn't do it again."
However, that doesn't mean he'd shy away from the professional scene after turning 70. "I'm fit as a fiddle and trust myself more than most," he says. A potential role as sports director might appeal to him.
Neururer isn't still living the stereotypical retiree life. At 70, he feels as young as 45, enjoying a "heavenly" marriage and fatherhood. He basks in the achievement of a lifelong dream, cruising through all 50 US states on his Harley-Davidson, even Alaska, with his pals.
But there's one dream left untamed—holding a trophy in his hands. To make that happen, he might need to return to the professional world, perhaps not as a coach this time but as a sports director. And who knows, not only Schalke could be his destination this time.
- Peter Neururer
- Birthday
- Schalke
- FC Schalke 04
- Authenticity
- Marl
- Christoph Kramer
- German Press Agency
- VfL Bochum
- Germany
Insights:
Neururer's unfulfilled dream is holding a trophy, although the specific trophy he is referring to isn't explicitly stated in the available information. Given his deep connection with Schalke and the context of his career in football, it's plausible that the dream could be related to a significant trophy in German football, like the DFB-Pokal or the Bundesliga title. For Neururer, lifting a trophy would embody achieving a long-held ambition and fulfilling his passion for football, particularly for his beloved Schalke. His past experiences, including being dismissed from Schalke while they were in a promotion spot, have left deep impressions on his career and personal aspirations.
- Peter Neururer harbors an unfulfilled dream: to hold a trophy in his hands, symbolizing the culmination of a lifelong passion for football and his beloved Schalke.
- Neururer's deep connection with Schalke, recently marred by controversy and incompetence, might propel him to return to the professional world, potentially as a sports director, to help turn things around.
- Christoph Kramer, a former pupil of Neururer's at VfL Bochum, respects Neururer's ability to navigate turbulent situations as a "perfect firefighter for every team in the world."
- Kramer's appreciation hints at Peter Neururer's storied career, which has spanned 12 distinct clubs in German professional football, and his resilience in overcoming various challenges.
- Though Neururer may no longer be actively coaching, his youthful energy and undying love for football hint at a continued involvement in the sport, especially if it involves his beloved clubs Schalke, FC Cologne, or Bochum.
