"Otto Rehhagel: The Bumpy Ride from Werder Bremen to Bayern Munich"
Werder Bremen's regretful farewell to Otto Rehhagel
By Ben Redelings
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After a fourteen-year stint, Otto Rehhagel bid farewell to Werder Bremen in the summer of 1995 to embark on a new adventure in Munich with FC Bayern. However, his journey took a rocky start before he even began with the record champions.
"I hope he doesn't feel humiliated. I avoided running to the fan curve after the goals." Bayern's star player, Mehmet Scholl, worried about the mood of his future coach, Otto Rehhagel, after the last game of the 1994/95 season. The Bayern had just beaten Werder Bremen 3-1 at home, which indirectly crowned Borussia Dortmund the new German champions. With a little luck, a point for Werder against the record champions would have been enough for the title, but the Bayern pros had dashed Rehhagel's beautiful farewell from his long-time club with the defeat.
The match was delicate and a media spectacle as Rehhagel was leaving Bremen after an incredible fourteen years to join Munich. For Bremen's revered coach, it was a fresh beginning—one he wished would be a beautiful and successful one. According to Mario Basler's original plan, the moments after the final whistle on the 34th matchday would involve a lap of honor with Otto Rehhagel before sitting him on the Bayern bench. Unfortunately, circumstances didn't pan out as expected. Bayern captain Thomas Helmer shared Scholl's concern, expressing hope that Rehhagel wasn't so angry that his start with the team wouldn't go smoothly.
Rehhagel had been ruling almost paradisiacal conditions at Werder, where he'd built up his power position. He could get loud after bad games, fire two players, and then rehire them the next day without question. The contrasting scene in Munich, with its vastly different culture, caused confusion initially. However, some reactions were entirely understandable.
Comedian Harald Schmidt Mocked Otto Rehhagel
A week prior, trainer's world seemed in order. With tears and heartfelt words, they bid farewell to their beloved coach after a home win in the last game, sending him off to Munich while expressing hopes that he'd return if he didn't succeed there. The emotionally-charged event set the stage for a new chapter, but the change was more significant than Rehhagel had imagined in his wildest dreams.
Soon after, tabloids mocked Rehhagel, ridiculing the 'Master Painter' as he struggled to repair the scratches on his authority. Even learning that his doorbell read "Rubens" instead of "Rehhagel" fueled their jokes. As a result, the players started calling him "Rubens," leaving even a master painter like the Flemish Baroque artist unable to remedy the situation.
This was an untimely start to Rehhagel's tenure in Munich, further complicated by disagreements with star players and strained relationships with management. The inevitable outcome was his dismissal in 1996, after less than a season. Later, he returned to champions league glory with 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Source: ntv.de
- Werder Bremen
- FC Bayern Munich
- Otto Rehhagel
- Football Bundesliga
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Enrichment Data:- Overall: Otto Rehhagel's coaching career is marked by several high-profile moves, including his departure from Werder Bremen to Bayern Munich—a transition that was notable for both its controversy and the eventual redemption he found with a return to the Bundesliga’s elite with Kaiserslautern.- Controversial Start at Bayern Munich: Rehhagel struggled to establish his authority and maintain harmony within a squad of strong personalities, often referred to as “FC Hollywood” due to its off-field drama and media scrutiny. His time at Bayern was marked by friction with star players and a failure to deliver the results expected by the club’s demanding management and fanbase. He was dismissed in 1996 after less than a season, a departure that cemented his reputation as a coach who thrived best with teams where he could imprint his own “character” on the squad.- Return to Top League Glory with FC Kaiserslautern (FCK): After leaving Bayern, Rehhagel took over newly promoted Kaiserslautern (FCK) in 1996. Against all expectations, he led them to the Bundesliga title in the 1997/98 season—a remarkable achievement that made them the first and only German club to win the championship immediately after promotion. This triumph was particularly sweet given his previous struggles at Bayern and restored his status as one of Germany’s top coaches. Rehhagel's style at Kaiserslautern exemplified his ability to build resilient, team-oriented squads, earning him the affectionate nickname “King Otto” for his leadership and tactical acumen.- Legacy of Influence: Rehhagel's career highlights the importance of fit between a coach’s approach and the club’s culture. Players who worked with him, such as Mario Basler, praised his relaxed but respectful management style and his skill at building cohesive teams with a strong collective identity. Basler credited Rehhagel with shaping his own approach to coaching both positively and, at times, negatively, but ultimately as a great mentor. Rehhagel’s legacy remains significant, reflected in his inclusion among the best German coaches of all time in recent polls.
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, but Otto Rehhagel's struggles extended beyond football fields. As he grappled with his new role at FC Bayern Munich, sports-betting and basketball may have provided a welcome distraction for the troubled coach. The media's mockery of Otto Rehhagel, whom they dubbed "Rubens," further strained his already tumultuous start in Munich, echoing the rivalries often found in sports-betting circles.
