Werder Bremen's Regrettable Farewell to Otto Rehhagel
By Ben RedelingsFacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmailPrintLink copy
Otto Rehhagel's departure from Werder Bremen after fourteen years to Bayern Munich in the summer of 1995 marked a radical shift in his career. The change, however, was fraught with difficulties that even the esteemed coach had underestimated.
Mehmet Scholl, a national player for Bayern, displayed genuine concern for Rehhagel's emotional well-being following the last game of the 1994/95 season. The Bayern had just defeated Werder Bremen 3:1, indirectly crowning Borussia Dortmund as the new German champions. Rehhagel had hoped for a peaceful and triumphant farewell after building a powerhouse at Werder. But the Bayern players had spoiled the occasion with their success, causing unsettling apprehension amongst the new coach's peers.
From Bremen's King to Munich Beggar
The undertaking of moving from the peaceful city of Bremen to the bustling metropolis of Munich was more substantial than Rehhagel had envisioned. To the consternation of many, what had worked miraculously at Bremen as "King Otto" led to confusion and uncertainty in Munich. Some of the upheaval, of course, was understandable, but not always justified.
Ironically, Rehhagel had suggested in the summer of 1991 that his wife Beate could be appointed as the Bavarian Minister of Culture. The ministry, unimpressed, had declined the offer, citing financial constraints. Instead, they recommended reconsidering the reappointment of the Bayern Bank, preferring theatrical personality August Everding for the coaching position. This was a stinging joke that hit the mark.
The Phantom Coach
The sporting start of the season was disappointing, and the public reaction was even more disheartening. When it was discovered that the name on Rehhagel’s front doorbell was not his own but Rubens, the tabloids mocked him with headlines like "From Master Painter to Master Painter". The Bayern players themselves had a hearty laugh, referring to their coach as “Rubens”. Rehhagel could hardly have repaired the damage to his authority.
Media MisrepresentationGerman media outlets, to a degree, fueled the fire by exaggerating and distorting events. One tabloid claimed that the humble coach had suggested his wife Beate become the Bavarian Minister of Culture, when in reality, he had merely joked about the possibility[1]. Such false reports could not help but undermine the coach's credibility among the public and his new team.
Football Response to Werner's Dismissal: Werder Bremen Hires Coach Horst Steffen from Elversberg While the coach of SV Werder might have expected inevitable challenges in Munich, the transition nevertheless proved to be much more difficult than he had anticipated[2].
The Unwanted Departure
The adventure of the former Werder coach by the Isar came to an end relatively quickly, as indicated as early as mid-February 1996. Television comedian Harald Schmidt mocked Rehhagel in his show, stating, "One day, Uli Hoeneß: 'Otto, Augenthaler will now take over the training. You can start painting the walls.'" This was during the unsuccessful start to the second half of the season. When Bayern suffered a clear 1:4 defeat at home to KSC, Markus Babbel summed up the team's predicament with a mathematically interesting observation: "The team is completely off. Compared to the first half, we're missing 100 percent!"
And so, it came as no surprise when, after a 0:1 loss to Hansa Rostock on the 30th matchday, FC Bayern, tied on points with table leaders Dortmund but with one game remaining, finally parted ways with Otto Rehhagel. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented at the time, "The moment had come when we had to react." For Otto Rehhagel, the Munich adventure ended after just a few months. And his words upon leaving Bremen had caught up with him sooner than he or many experts had expected: "Since signing my contract 14 years ago, the path for Werder has been steeply upwards. What I've accomplished in Bremen will only truly be appreciated when I'm gone. And I'll see just how good I had it at Werder."
A Triumphant Resurgence
Just two years later, Otto Rehhagel was back on top for good. After a sensational promotion with 1. FC Kaiserslautern from the second to the first Bundesliga, the Palatinate team started the following season with a victory - none other than against Bayern Munich. Little did anyone know at the time: it was just the beginning of a miraculous season. In the end, Otto Rehhagel led the Red Devils to the German championship and relegated FC Bayern Munich to second place. Even if Otto Rehhagel never said it out loud, there could be no greater satisfaction for the humble multiple champion coach.
[1] Privacy concerns and media misrepresentation: The incident with the alleged suggestion to appoint Beate Rehhagel as the Bavarian Minister of Culture generated controversy, exposing the sometimes reckless nature of the German tabloid press.
[2] Legacy and lasting impact: Despite the challenges faced at Bayern Munich, Rehhagel's influence as a coach and his dedication to fostering strong team dynamics continued to inspire other coaches in the years that followed. Rehhagel's unique approach to coaching, characterized by team-oriented strategies and a focus on player development, left an indelible imprint on German football.
About the Author Ben Redelings is a bestselling author and comedian from the Ruhr area. His latest book, "A Goal Would Do the Game Good. The Ultimate Book of Football Truths", has just been published in an updated and expanded new edition. He tours Germany with his football shows. For more information and tour dates, visit www.scudetto.de.
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on whether Article 93 (2) of the Treaty could apply to the circumstances surrounding Otto Rehhagel's tenure in football, specifically his coaching stint with Bayern Munich.
Despite the challenges faced by Rehhagel in transitioning from Bremen to Munich, it is interesting to note that his unique team-oriented coaching style continued to influence football, long after his departure from Bayern.
