Mention the phrases ‘Bayern Munich’ and what involves thoughts? A teutonic powerhouse? One among Europe’s elite? Serial winners? The Bavarians are, in any case, a group that has received the Bundesliga 31 occasions – when the primary was solely 55 years in the past.
It’s a group that has received the European Cup six occasions and contains such notable alumni as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Sepp Maier, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lothar Matthaus and Philipp Lahm. It’s a world-famous model that stands for excellence. Bayern Munich equals trophies and success.
However onerous as it’s to imagine, they’ve endured ups and downs identical to all groups – the distinction being {that a} Bayern “down” remains to be usually what most different groups dream about.
However there’s one season that may all the time stay in infamy in Bayern historical past, a season in the course of the Nineties after they had been, frankly talking, fairly horrible. In fact, horrible for Die Roten is relative – we aren’t speaking about relegation right here – however by their lofty requirements, they become a mediocre group for 12 months. The season in query befell throughout 1991/92.
What’s extra stunning is that there was no speedy signal beforehand of the hunch to return. The 1986/87 marketing campaign had seen an Udo Lattek-led Bayern win the Bundesliga, the supervisor whom Die Roten had dominated Europe beneath within the Nineteen Seventies.
That proved to be his remaining season earlier than being changed by Jupp Heynckes, who satirically had additionally changed Lattek when he grew to become Borussia Monchengladbach supervisor in 1979. Whereas unable to duplicate the Foals’ wonderful Nineteen Seventies success, Heynckes did cause them to fourth-place finishes in 1985 and 1986, adopted by third place in 1987 together with a UEFA Cup semi-final, placing him on Bayern’s radar.
Heynckes’ debut season (1987/88) noticed Bayern fail to retain their title as an emergent Werder Bremen secured glory beneath the stewardship of Otto Rehhagel. With strikers Karl-Heinz Riedle and Frank Neubarth, and a defence that conceded simply 22 targets in 34 video games, Bremen completed 4 factors forward of second-place Bayern, having overwhelmed them 3-1 in a key week 26 assembly. However regular service was quickly resumed as Bayern lifted the Bundesliga the next 12 months whereas additionally reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.
The 1989/90 season noticed Bayern much more dominant, once more successful the Bundesliga by six factors whereas this time reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup, earlier than falling to the AC Milan of the three Dutch masters. Trying on the squad that season, it’s notable that there have been no world-renowned stars. The strike duo of Roland Wohlfarth and Alan McInally, whereas environment friendly, had been hardly names that might’ve had Baresi, Maldini and co frightened. But it surely was nonetheless sufficient to dominate Germany.
As such, the summer time of 1990 noticed Heynckes strengthen the squad by bringing in Stefan Effenberg, Brian Laudrup and Christian Ziege. Of those, the signing of Effenberg was by far probably the most fascinating. A participant who all through his profession can be no stranger to controversy, he was requested about why he had determined to hitch Bayern. Sporting his blonde mullet, he replied, “As a result of the opposite golf equipment are too silly to win the Bundesliga.”
It was a surefire method to place a goal in your again for the season, a remark positive to have been posted on opposing dressing room partitions, together with Kaiserslautern’s. An early season league sport noticed Bayern hammer Kaiserslautern 4-0 on the Olympiastadion earlier than the season then developed right into a battle between each groups for the title.
Late March noticed the benefit swing to Kaiserslautern as they defeated Bayern 2-1 at dwelling courtesy of a late winner from Stefan Kuntz. That sparked a powerful run from Die Roten and, with three matches to go, issues had been tight.
Bayern then travelled to Bochum to face little-fancied Wattenscheid – a group that performed within the tiny Lohrheidestadion and who Bayern had overwhelmed 7-0 earlier within the season. To the shock of a watching nation, Wattenscheid held a 2-1 lead as the sport entered the dying minutes. Then, with simply three minutes left, the ever-reliable Wohlfarth scored to avoid wasting Bayern’s blushes. Or so it appeared.
Two minutes later, Thorsten Fink scored a shock winner for the group from Bochum to ship 35,000 followers delirious – a defeat that opened the door for Kaiserslautern to assert their first Bundesliga title.
As if the defeat to Wattenscheid wasn’t painful sufficient, Bayern additionally suffered heartache within the European Cup. As soon as once more, the semi-final curse raised its head, this time to Japanese European opposition moderately than Italian. A robust group had emerged at Purple Star Belgrade, who got here to Munich and left with a 2-1 win within the first leg of their semi-final conflict.
That left Bayern with a troublesome project in entrance of 80,000 rabid Purple Star followers – flares burning in an intimidating ambiance. However Die Roten rose to the duty and the sport was about to enter extra-time with Bayern 2-1 up when a freak personal aim from captain Klaus Augenthaler within the final minute noticed the Yugoslavs seize the all-important equaliser and transfer on to the ultimate.
In order 1991/92 commenced, Bayern got here off disappointment on the finish of the previous season however had nonetheless completed second within the league and narrowly missed on a European Cup remaining look. It was a season that many groups would die for.
The squad improvement continued as Heynckes introduced in gamers akin to Jan Wouters, Oliver Kreuzer, Thomas Berthold and two Brazilians, Mazinho and Bernardo. However balancing that was the retirement of long-serving stalwart Augenthaler. Nonetheless, Bayern followers had been trying ahead to reclaiming their place on the high of the league whereas maybe claiming a UEFA Cup title.
The opening two league video games noticed an inauspicious begin as Bayern drew at Werder Bremen earlier than dropping at dwelling to Bundesliga new boys Hansa Rostock. They then travelled to Dusseldorf and got here away with their first win, albeit solely 1-0 because of a last-minute winner from Mazinho. Followers may begin to loosen up forward of an easy cup tie at dwelling in opposition to minnows FC Homburg.
Homburg is a small city within the Saarland area of Germany and their native group had been comparatively obscure for many of its historical past. However, in 1986, that they had reached the Promised Land of the Bundesliga for the primary time. Their followers loved two seasons on the high desk earlier than being relegated after which returning instantly. And so, travelling to Munich, the group was a second-tier outfit who sometimes performed in entrance of 8,000 followers, even when within the Bundesliga.
Solely 9,000 bothered to trek to the Olympiastadion to look at the tie, leading to an odd ambiance throughout the huge bowl. It took 27 minutes however Bayern grabbed the lead by way of a backpost header from Mazinho. To this point, so good. However Homburg emerged within the second half revitalised and had the cheek to equalise by way of a strong shot from Rodolfo Cardoso.
Worse was to return for Bayern as, with simply 13 minutes remaining, a unfastened ball fell to Homburg’s Matthias Baranowski, who gladly accepted the reward. This was not within the Bayern script and couldn’t be permitted. Unsurprisingly, whereas Homburg followers had been nonetheless rubbing their eyes, Mazinho scored once more. Sufficient of this nonsense.
And so the sport went into extra-time when Bayern’s health would absolutely overwhelm the underdogs. However simply 5 minutes in, Homburg’s Michael Kimmel jinked into the realm and scored with a low shot. That pesky Homburg facet simply didn’t know when to lie down. And if that wasn’t unhealthy sufficient, they then scored once more 4 minutes later by way of Bernd Gries. Bayern had been 4-2 down at dwelling. That was how the sport would finish. A shocked Bayern had been eradicated of their first cup sport by a decrease division group in their very own stadium.
Generally a cup defeat could be a blessing in disguise – at the very least now they may deal with the league and UEFA Cup. Perhaps all was not misplaced but.
Their league type continued to fluctuate and, after 9 matches, Bayern sat in seventh place as they ready to start their continental marketing campaign. A comparatively simple first-round draw noticed them resulting from journey to Eire for a primary leg in opposition to Cork Metropolis. As Bayern followers researched the place Cork was on the map, the gamers flew over.
Cork Metropolis had solely fashioned in 1984, following the chapter of Cork United in 1982. A second-place league end within the earlier season had seen the part-timers earn their spot within the UEFA Cup. In entrance of simply 4,000 followers, it was time for Bayern to neglect concerning the Homburg embarrassment and begin a profitable UEFA Cup marketing campaign.
Dave Barry was a neighborhood who loved a profitable profession with Cork County, enjoying Gaelic Soccer and successful two All-Eire medals. However he additionally loved common soccer on the facet and so turned out for Cork Metropolis as a midfielder. Forward of the sport, he had in some way come to the eye of Effenberg who, together with his regular diplomacy, in contrast him to his grandfather.
Picked for the sport in opposition to Bayern, he wrote his identify into Irish folklore when, after simply 26 minutes, Cork stole the ball from the advancing Bayern defence and Barry discovered it at his ft. Charging ahead, the balding midfielder turned inside one defender earlier than rifling a shot dwelling. The followers went ballistic.
And so it stood till simply earlier than half-time when Effenberg lastly introduced parity to the rating. Everybody then braced for the second-half whirlwind from Bayern, however it by no means occurred. The part-timers of Cork ended with a well-known 1-1 draw in opposition to the German giants.
The second leg noticed Bayern battle as soon as extra. The truth is, the Irish part-timers held out till the 71st minute earlier than Bruno Labbadia lastly spared Bayern’s blushes. A final-gasp penalty added a bit extra gloss, however on the remaining whistle, Die Roten had solely simply acquired over the road. Contemplating this and the Homburg consequence, all was most undoubtedly not nicely in Bavaria.
Three days later, Bayern travelled to Stuttgart and had been hammered 4-1 – not by VfB however moderately by Stuttgarter Kickers. It was lastly an excessive amount of to bear and, three days later, Bayern introduced that they had been parting firm with Heynckes.
The previous putting nice went on to take pleasure in an extended and profitable managerial profession, overseeing groups in Spain, Portugal and Germany, together with Actual Madrid, Benfica, Schalke and his past love, Borussia Monchengladbach. He even returned to Bayern, changing into caretaker supervisor in 2009 after the firing of Jurgen Klinsmann earlier than changing Louis van Gaal in 2011 and main them to a Champions League remaining defeat to Chelsea.
He then giuded Bayern to glory in 2013 by defeating Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund within the remaining, making Heynckes simply the fourth supervisor to win the competitors with two totally different groups, Actual Madrid being the opposite. One of many all-time greats, his dismissal after the Kickers defeat was later described by normal supervisor Uli Hoeness as “the most important mistake I ever made in my enterprise life”.
A gathering was arrange with membership legend Franz Beckenbauer in Munich’s Sheraton Resort to supply him the place as head coach. However he declined, stating prior commitments made it unattainable. And due to this fact Bayern turned elsewhere – with a considerably stunning consequence.
Changing Heynckes on the helm can be Danish legend Soren Lerby. A participant who loved three seasons with Bayern, throughout which they received two Bundesliga titles, he had solely just lately retired from enjoying on the age of 32. Taking the Bayern job represented his first step into administration – a frightening job for knowledgeable heads not to mention a rookie. He didn’t even have the required teaching licence on the time of his appointment. It appeared an odd option to most followers.
His tenure began off shakily as Bayern misplaced successive league video games in opposition to Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart to drop to 14th within the 20-team league, simply three locations above the relegation spots. Subsequent up for Lerby was, satirically, a visit again to Denmark as Bayern had drawn Boldklubben 1903 within the second spherical of the UEFA Cup. If Lerby thought it will be an pleasurable journey dwelling, he was in for a significant shock.
Not even probably the most hardcore Boldklubben followers can declare that their group had a grand historical past. They’d received the league seven occasions, however 4 of these had been earlier than World Struggle Two, whereas the newest was again in 1976, earlier than then merging with Kjobenhavns Boldklub in 1992 to type FC Copenhagen, who’ve loved appreciable success since.
They’d solely ever received two European ties and by no means made it previous the second spherical. The go to of Bayern would signify one of many final video games that Boldklubben would play earlier than the merger. And what a sport it was.
Over 14,000 followers packed into the Gentofte Stadion to see how their boys would fare in opposition to the German powerhouse. For half-hour the sport was a stalemate, till Bayern snatched the lead by way of Mazinho. That lead lasted simply 5 minutes earlier than Michael Manniche tied the sport. Tied going into the half-time break, there was little indication of the shockwave to return.
After 57 minutes, Boldklubben earned a penalty, which was duly dispatched by Danish star Ivan Nielsen. 4 minutes later, the followers had been in ecstasy as Kenneth Wegner made it 3-1. As the bottom started to shake, the insanity continued; simply three minutes later, Manniche grabbed a second to place the Danes 4-1 up. The mighty Bayern had simply conceded three targets within the house of seven minutes. And it wasn’t over but.
Brian Klaus added a fifth earlier than Peter Uldbjerg made it 6-1. No-one may fairly imagine what they had been witnessing. Markus Munch pulled again a last-minute comfort for Bayern however, as the ultimate whistle sounded, all eyes turned to the scoreboard: Boldklubben 1903 6-2 Bayern Munich. Bayern’s season had simply really imploded.
The return leg two weeks later noticed Die Roten exit the competitors with a whimper, successful simply 1-0 by way of a late Mazinho aim. They’d now been eradicated from the DFB-Pokal at dwelling by a decrease division facet, from the UEFA Cup by Danish minnows and had been sitting in 14th place within the league.
Given this begin, it was no actual shock that Lerby was a useless man strolling. He managed to hit upon till March when a 4-0 defeat away at Kaiserslautern noticed Bayern, nonetheless caught within the decrease half of the desk, lastly wield the axe. It was to signify Lerby’s solely stint in soccer administration.
It was time for a 3rd supervisor that season as Hoeness turned to a way more skilled rent in Erich Ribbeck.
Ribbeck had began his managerial profession again in 1967 at Rot-Weiss Essen earlier than managing Eintracht Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. His stats up to now had been at finest mediocre – the one trophy he received throughout that interval was the UEFA Cup with Bayer Leverkusen in 1988 – however he had Bundesliga expertise and so was seen as the person who may proper the itemizing ship.
However Bayern by now had been in an entire funk and so Ribbeck oversaw a remaining 11 league video games during which they received 5 however misplaced as many as they stumbled over the ending line, mired in mediocrity.
With the season over, Bayern sat in tenth, precisely mid-table. They’d misplaced extra video games than that they had received, together with seven at dwelling, and completed with a -2 aim distinction. As standard, Wohlfarth was high scorer with 17, adopted by Mazinho (12) and Effenberg (11). They needed to sit again and watch whereas VfB Stuttgart, Dortmund and Frankfurt performed out final-day drama to captivate the entire nation.
All three groups sat on 50 factors going into the ultimate matchday and all three had been enjoying away from dwelling. Frankfurt had aim distinction benefit and simply wanted to win, however shockingly misplaced to Hansa Rostock whereas having a transparent penalty denied to them at 1-1.
Dortmund received at Duisburg and had been two minutes from being Bundesliga champions earlier than Guido Buchwald wrote himself into Stuttgart legend with an 88th-minute winner at Leverkusen – regardless of being down to 10 males following the sending-off of Matthias Sammer – incomes Stuttgart the title on aim distinction.
That summer time noticed Bayern spend massive. In got here Thomas Helmer, Jorginho, Mehmet Scholl and, most newsworthy, the return of the prodigal son, Lothar Matthaus. Laudrup and Effenberg had been moved on to Fiorentina to assist fund the rebuild.
It labored: Bayern completed second within the Bundesliga, only a level behind champions Werder Bremen and with simply 5 losses and a +29 aim distinction. Ribbeck had efficiently steadied the ship and would quickly retire, changed by Beckenbauer earlier than a disastrous spell as Germany supervisor from 1998 to 2000. However Ribbeck additionally left with the unenviable stat of changing into the primary and solely supervisor of Bayern to be in cost for over 500 days with out successful a single trophy.
To today, the 1991/92 season stands as a nadir for Bayern. Because the, Die Roten have solely ever completed exterior the highest three twice, and have received 12 Bundesliga titles and three Champions Leagues. Whereas 90s was usually an inconsistent decade for Bayern – with gamers extra usually featured within the gossip pages moderately than the sports activities pages, resulting in the well-known “FC Hollywood” nickname – nothing was as unhealthy as 1991/92.
Bayern will all the time signify one of many elite European groups and are the gold commonplace in opposition to which many others measure themselves. Furthermore, they’ve loved success with out the large exterior monetary backing that another European sides have loved.
It has been argued by many who their current dominance of German soccer has spoilt the Bundesliga as a spectacle, particularly contemplating their ten successive. However it’s refreshing to know that even groups like Bayern Munich can expertise a season of woe. For that one 12 months, they had been truly human in any case. And for that, VfB Stuttgart, Homborg, Cork Metropolis and Boldklubben will probably be eternally grateful.
By Dominic Hougham
