Tragic — These People Had Bad Luck

Kurt Landauer — The Persecuted

He led Bayern to the 1932 championship — and was persecuted as a Jew by the Nazis.

Kurt Landauer headed FC Bayern four times between 1913 and 1951. On 22 March 1933, shortly after the seizure of power, he resigned as president. In April 1933, he lost his job because of his Jewish faith. In 1935 he found work in a laundry.

At the end of 1937, he and his brother sold the family seat at Kaufingerstraße 28 to Woolworth.

On 10 November 1938, he was imprisoned in Dachau for four weeks. In May 1939, he fled to Switzerland; four siblings were murdered by the Nazis.

When the team played in Zurich in 1940, they spotted their former president in the stands and greeted him warmly — despite the Gestapo's express ban on contact. He returned in 1947 and became president again, before being ousted through a cabal in 1951. He died in 1961. The Schickeria ultras organise an annual Kurt Landauer tournament and have founded a foundation that campaigns against racism and exclusion.

President

1913–1933, 1947–1951

First championship

1932

Dachau

10 Nov – Dec 1938

Siblings murdered

4

Norbert Eder — The Underrated

132 league appearances, four trophies, World Cup runner-up 1986 — and largely forgotten.

Norbert Eder played for FC Bayern from 1984 to 1988. Member of the players' council, the player with the most appearances in 1985 and 1986. Three championships, one cup. 28 European Cup matches. World Cup runner-up with Germany in 1986. He died in November 2019 after a long illness at the age of 63.

At FCB

1984–1988, 132 league games

Trophies

3 championships, 1 cup

World Cup 1986

Runner-up

Breno — The Lonely One

Regarded as the best young Brazilian defender in 2007 — sentenced to prison for arson in 2012.

Breno played for Bayern from 2008 to 2012 but was perpetually second fiddle. Loaned to Nürnberg, he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture. Back at Bayern, he appeared increasingly depressed.

In the early hours of 20 September 2011, his rented villa in Grünwald burned to the ground.

He was arrested on suspicion of serious arson and sentenced to three years and nine months. Released on probation in December 2014, he returned to Brazil and managed a genuine comeback.

At FCB

2008–2012

Sentence

3 years, 9 months (arson)

Release

December 2014

Gerd Müller — Alcohol and Alzheimer's

365 Bundesliga goals — an all-time record. Then alcohol, ruin and Alzheimer's.

The Bomber der Nation. Not the tallest, not the quickest, no dribbler — but for a decade the best centre-forward in the world. 398 goals in 453 league matches, 68 international goals in 62 appearances (average: 1.06).

World Cup top scorer with 14 goals. You either have it or you don't. You can't learn it.

As well as he found his way on the pitch, he found his way just as badly in real life.

In Florida, the fatal episode with alcohol began. After his last match in 1979, he could never find a proper place in life again. He ran a steakhouse, played the genial host and clinked glasses with everyone who wanted to drink with the famous Bomber.

In September 1991, his problems became public: tipsy at Bayern training, wife seeking divorce, apartments seized by tax authorities.

The hero of a generation reduced to a figure of ridicule.

Bayern held out their hand. Hoeneß, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge — all had played with him and now gave back. They persuaded him into rehab.

Since 1992, employed by the Reds again: youth coach, talent scout, assistant. I am completely happy, and I am busy. But then Alzheimer's struck.

The final chapter.

Bundesliga goals

365 (all-time record)

International goals

68 in 62 games

World Cup goals

14 (record until 2014)

At FCB since

Re-employed 1992

Sebastian Deisler — The Depressed Prodigy

The talent of the century — signed for €18 million, retired at 27, destroyed by injuries and depression.

Already a full international, Bayern signed him in 2002. His injury susceptibility became his curse: two cruciate ligament ruptures before his debut, then muscle tears and cartilage damage. The problems led to psychological issues; he sought treatment in 2003 and 2004.

With Felix Magath he got a coach who showed little regard for his sensitivities; within the team, he was bullied. After just 62 Bundesliga appearances in four and a half years, he ended his career in January 2007.

The scene at the Dubai training camp: Deisler knocked on Hoeneß's hotel door in the middle of the night.

Still in his bathrobe, Hoeneß learned that Deisler wanted to quit. They talked through the night. The manager fought like a lion for the career-weary player.

In vain.

Deisler at the press conference: Sure, I could carry on playing a little bit, but the real freedom is gone. I have no more trust in my knee. I am happy with my decision.

Transfer fee

~€18m

Bundesliga games

62 in 4.5 years

Retired

January 2007, age 27