For the first time in the history of German football, a handful of players had taken over an entire club, the author of the book Good Friends, Thomas Hüetlin, analysed the events of spring 1979 in 2006.
On the return journey from a 0-0 in Braunschweig, the players, on orders from Breitner and goalkeeper Sepp Maier, united when they learned that Max Merkel was to replace Gyula Lorant as the new coach — contrary to the agreement with the president. They rejected the appointment of the coaching dictator democratically, 16-0. If he came, they intended to boycott the first Monday morning training session under Merkel in protest. Their stubbornness prevailed, and Merkel would never come.
In disbelief at such insubordination, president Wilhelm Neudecker resigned the following Monday.
A mutinous squad driving their president to resign? Unbelievable. With such a captain and this team, I can no longer work together, he had told the squad on 19 March 1979. I wish you and your families all the best.
Goodbye.
The public blamed captain Sepp Maier, although in reality the entire squad was behind the putsch. People had just congratulated themselves on having driven the rebellious youth more or less off the streets — and now highly paid footballers were shaking the foundations of the business. The employer decides on dismissals and hirings; employees may be glad or annoyed about the decisions.
A works council with co-determination rights over the appointment of a football club's senior staff doesn't exist; a right to strike over coaching or management appointments even less so.