The Unforgettable Tussle: Uli Hoeneß vs. Fritz Scherer at FC Bayern Munich
Fritz Scherer proposed Uli Hoeneß the position of FC Bayern's head.
By Ben Redelings
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Back when the mighty FC Bayern Munich was being ruled by treasurer and president, Fritz Scherer, a fascinating power struggle unfolded. Uli Hoeneß, also a trailblazer at the club, was nothing short of a thorn in Scherer's side throughout their tenures.
Conflict Over a "Blonde Angel"
The first hint of their rivalry surfaced in the 1986/87 season, when Hoeneß, determined to sign Bernd Schuster from Barcelona, was met with Scherer's dismissive statement that it was merely Hoeneß' "private idea." Hoeneß didn't take kindly to that, uttering, "So far, my private ideas have always been realized. I won't let the president deny me my opinion. Some can't handle the thin air."
Hoeneß held his ground, and though the conflict simmered, it didn't ignite until spring 1989. Hoeneß decided to take on Opel as the new sponsor, much to the disappointment of Scherer and treasurer Kurt Hegerich. To add fuel to the fire, Scherer and Hegerich had been secretly negotiating with brewery Paulaner, going around their manager's back—a move that pushed the situation to the breaking point.
Months passed, and the drama took a bizarre turn when Hoeneß, pondering his resignation, left his briefcase containing his resignation letter in the editorial office of the "Cologne Express". An editor discovered the document, igniting a media frenzy that threatened to consume the entire club. The letter revealed Hoeneß' intentions to advise numerous Bayern professionals and other Bundesliga players, putting the club in a precarious position.
A Twist of Fate
As the press swooned over the sensational news, FC Bayern worked behind the scenes to smooth things over. However, tensions remained high, with both sides stubbornly holding their ground. Opel eventually became the new partner of FC Bayern Munich, making it clear that Hoeneß had won the power struggle. Surprisingly, Hoeneß still insists that he did not intentionally leave his briefcase in the Cologne editorial office.
With Fritz Scherer's reputation taking a hit, the clever Scherer brought back former players Rummenigge and Beckenbauer as vice-presidents. Hoeneß saw his power decrease significantly, and Beckenbauer, true to form, was quick to assert his authority by calling out Hoeneß' mistakes. Hoeneß, unsurprisingly, was not pleased with hearing this.
This new power dynamic triggered a transformation in FC Bayern Munich that led to immense growth and success. Though Scherer's reputation suffered temporarily, he played a crucial role in shaping the club's rise that culminated in its 125th-anniversary celebrations this year.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- FC Bayern Munich
- Football Bundesliga
- Uli Hoeneß
- In the midst of the power struggle between Uli Hoeneß and Fritz Scherer at FC Bayern Munich, Hoeneß left his aktennkoffer (briefcase) containing his resignation letter in the editorial office of the "Cologne Express", sparking a media frenzy and potentially putting the football club in a precarious position.
- Despite his power decrease after the return of former players Rummenigge and Beckenbauer as vice-presidents, Hoeneß' actions played a significant role in shaping the growth and success of FC Bayern Munich, resulting in its 125th-anniversary celebrations this year.
- Contention between football federation members, especially within FC Bayern Munich, was evident when Hoeneß, against the wishes of Scherer and treasurer Hegerich, decided to take on Opel as the club's new sponsor, leading to a confidential negotiation with brewery Paulaner behind their manager's back.
