Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Personal information
Date of birth 25 September 1955 (1955-09-25) (age 54)
Place of birth    Lippstadt, West Germany
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Bayern Munich (Chairman)
Youth clubs
1963–1974 Borussia Lippstadt
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1974–1984
1984–1987
1987–1989
Bayern Munich
Internazionale
Servette FC
310 (162)
064 0(24)
050 0(34)   
National team
1976–1986 West Germany 095 0(45)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Karl-Heinz "Kalle" Rummenigge (born 25 September 1955 in Lippstadt) is a German former football player.

He had his greatest career success with German club Bayern Munich, where he won the Intercontinental Cup, the European Cup, as well as two league titles and two domestic cups.

A member of the German national team, Rummenigge won the 1980 European Championship and was part of the squad that finished runner-up in the 1982 FIFA World Cup and at the 1986 World Cup. He was also honoured twice as European Footballer of the Year.

He is currently the chairman of the Bundesliga team Bayern Munich, as well as being the acting chairman of the European Club Association.

Contents

Career as player

Club

Rummenigge was born in Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia.

He joined Bayern Munich in 1974, coming from the Westphalian amateur side Borussia Lippstadt, for a transfer fee of ca. € 10,000. He immediately showed great strength as a dribbler. His striking qualities were initially insignificant, but would find great improvement in later years, particularly after the arrival of coach Pal Csernai in 1979. In 1979–80 he scored 26 goals and became for the first time the Bundesliga's top striker, a feat he could repeat in 1981 and 1984 with 29 and 26 goals, respectively.

With Bayern he won in 1975 and 1976 the European Cup of Champions. In 1975 he did not take part in the final of the competition, whilst in the year thereafter a glass of brandy sufficiently prepared the nervous Rummenigge to contribute to the defeat of AS Saint-Etienne. In the same year he became also part of the team that prevailed in the Intercontinental Cup finals against Cruzeiro EC from Belo Horizonte.

In the era of coach Csernai he found in midfielder Paul Breitner a congenial partner and he formed such a formidable one-two-punch that they were only called Breitnigge.

The club, then often dubbed as “FC Breitnigge”, won in this period the German championships of 1980 and 1981, and the German Cup in 1982 und 1984. A renewed triumph in the European Champions Cup was denied, when the club lost the 1982 final narrowly against Aston Villa. In the season before Rummenigge was top-scorer in this competition with 6 goals.

His substantial contribution to the successes of the club and the German national football team found also expression in personal honours. In 1980 he was named German Footballer of the Year and in '80-81 the European Footballer of the Year. In this period he was also a serious rival for Diego Maradona for the unofficial honour of being the best player of the world.

In 1984, aged 29, he was sold for a record fee of € 5.7m[1] to Internazionale. Despite a notable beginning, in which he helped the team to compete until the end for the 1984–1985 scudetto, Rumenigge's career in Italy was mostly marred by injury problems so he returned to Germany to play for his old team Bayern Munich. At the end of his contract in 1988 Rummenigge moved on to Swiss first division club Servette FC in Geneva, where he saw his career out. In his last season, 1988–89 he had his last success, becoming top scorer in the Swiss league with 24 goals.

National team

With the German national football team he took part in the 1978 FIFA World Cup, 1982 FIFA World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup. In 1978 Germany exited in the first knock-out stage of the tournament. In 1982 and 1986 the team was runner-up behind Italy and Argentina.

Rummenigge also took part in two European Championship tournaments. In the 1980 competition in Italy Germany defeated Belgium in the final by 2-1 and won the trophy. The 1984 tournament is engraved as one of the most unsuccessful undertakings of the German national team. Germany was already ousted in the group stage.

Altogether, between 1976 and 1986, Rummenigge amassed 95 caps and scored 45 goals for the German national team.

International goals

Scores and results table. Germany's goal tally first:
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 October 1977 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany Flag of Italy.svg Italy 2-0 2-1 Friendly
2. 6 June 1978 Estadio Chateau Carreras, Córdoba, Argentina Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico 3-0 6-0 FIFA World Cup 1978
3. 6 June 1978 Estadio Chateau Carreras, Córdoba, Argentina Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico 5-0 6-0 FIFA World Cup 1978
4. 21 June 1978 Estadio Chateau Carreras, Córdoba, Argentina Flag of Austria.svg Austria 1-0 2-3 FIFA World Cup 1978
5. 20 December 1978 Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 1-0 3-1 Friendly
6. 22 May 1979 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland St Patrick's saltire3.svg Ireland 1-1 3-1 Friendly
7. 12 September 1979 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina 2-0 2-1 Friendly
8. 17 October 1979 Müngersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, Germany Flag of Wales 2.svg Wales 4-0 5-1 UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying
9. 21 November 1979 Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR Flag of the Soviet Union.svg USSR 1-0 3-1 Friendly
10. 21 November 1979 Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR Flag of the Soviet Union.svg USSR 2-0 3-1 Friendly
11. 27 February 1980 Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany Flag of Malta.svg Malta 7-0 8-0 UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying
12. 13 May 1980 Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany Flag of Poland.svg Poland 1-0 3-1 Friendly
13. 11 June 1980 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy Flag of Czechoslovakia.svg Czechoslovakia 1-0 1-0 UEFA Euro 1980
14. 3 December 1980 Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 3-0 3-1 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
15. 2 September 1981 Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland Flag of Poland.svg Poland 2-0 2-0 Friendly
16. 23 September 1981 Ruhrstadion, Bochum, Germany Flag of Finland.svg Finland 2-1 7-1 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
17. 23 September 1981 Ruhrstadion, Bochum, Germany Flag of Finland.svg Finland 4-1 7-1 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
18. 23 September 1981 Ruhrstadion, Bochum, Germany Flag of Finland.svg Finland 6-1 7-1 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
19. 18 November 1981 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany Flag of Albania.svg Albania 1-0 8-0 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
20. 18 November 1981 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany Flag of Albania.svg Albania 2-0 8-0 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
21. 18 November 1981 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany Flag of Albania.svg Albania 5-0 8-0 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
22. 22 November 1981 Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 2-0 4-0 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
23. 22 November 1981 Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 4-0 4-0 FIFA World Cup 1982 qualifying
24. 12 May 1982 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway Flag of Norway.svg Norway 1-0 4-2 Friendly
25. 12 May 1982 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway Flag of Norway.svg Norway 4-2 4-2 Friendly
26. 16 June 1982 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria 1-1 1-2 FIFA World Cup 1982
27. 20 June 1982 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain Flag of Chile.svg Chile 1-0 4-1 FIFA World Cup 1982
28. 20 June 1982 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain Flag of Chile.svg Chile 2-0 4-1 FIFA World Cup 1982
29. 20 June 1982 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain Flag of Chile.svg Chile 3-0 4-1 FIFA World Cup 1982
30. 8 July 1982 Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain Flag of France.svg France 2-3 3-3 (a.e.t.), 5-4 (pen.) FIFA World Cup 1982
31. 13 October 1982 Wembley Stadium, London, England Flag of England.svg England 1-0 2-1 Friendly
32. 13 October 1982 Wembley Stadium, London, England Flag of England.svg England 2-0 2-1 Friendly
33. 30 March 1983 Qemal Stafa, Tirana, Albania Flag of Albania.svg Albania 2-0 2-1 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
34. 23 April 1983 İzmir Atatürk Stadium, İzmir, Turkey Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 1-0 3-0 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
35. 23 April 1983 İzmir Atatürk Stadium, İzmir, Turkey Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 3-0 3-0 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
36. 7 June 1983 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Flag of SFR Yugoslavia.svg Yugoslavia 4-2 4-2 Friendly (Jubilee match: 75 years FLF)
37. 5 October 1983 Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, Germany Flag of Austria.svg Austria 1-0 3-0 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
38. 26 October 1983 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 2-0 5-1 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
39. 26 October 1983 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 5-1 5-1 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
40. 20 November 1983 Ludwigspark Stadion, Saarbrücken, Germany Flag of Albania.svg Albania 1-1 2-1 UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying
41. 17 October 1984 Müngersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, Germany Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 2-0 2-0 FIFA World Cup 1986 qualifying
42. 27 March 1985 Ludwigspark Stadion, Saarbrücken, Germany Flag of Malta.svg Malta 5-0 6-0 FIFA World Cup 1986 qualifying
43. 27 March 1985 Ludwigspark Stadion, Saarbrücken, Germany Flag of Malta.svg Malta 6-0 6-0 FIFA World Cup 1986 qualifying
44. 17 November 1985 Olympic Stadium, Munich, Germany Flag of Czechoslovakia.svg Czechoslovakia 2-2 2-2 FIFA World Cup 1986 qualifying
45. 29 June 1986 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina 1-2 2-3 FIFA World Cup 1986

Football management

From 1990 until 1994 Rummenigge worked as a TV co-commentator for matches of the German national team. In autumn 1991, Bayern Munich invited Franz Beckenbauer and Rummenigge to return to the club as vice presidents. Rummenigge held this position until 2002, when he was appointed Chairman of Executive Board of the newly corporatised football department of the club. According to the club, “in his role as chairman he is responsible for external relations, new media, board affairs and representing the holding company on national and international bodies.”

Miscellaneous

In April 1983, the British pop duo Alan & Denise recorded a tribute song about his "sexy knees" in the song "Rummenigge, what a man". The record reached number 43 in German charts.

In March 2004 he was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.

His brother Michael Rummenigge was also a noteworthy footballer. He played as forward for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund from 1982–88 and 1988–94, respectively. He also represented Germany on two occasions between 1983 and 1986.

Career statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Germany League DFB-Pokal Premiere Ligapokal Europe Total
1974-75 Bayern Munich Bundesliga 21 5
1975–76 32 8
1976–77 31 12
1977v78 29 8
1978–79 34 14
1979–80 34 26
1980–81 34 29
1981–82 32 14
1982–83 34 20
1983–84 29 26
Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Europe Total
1984–85 Internazionale Milano Serie A 26 8
1985–86 24 13
1986–87 14 3
Switzerland League Schweizer Cup League Cup Europe Total
1987–88 Servette Super League 16 10
1988–89 34 24
Total Germany 310 162
Italy 64 24
Switzerland 50 34
Career Total 424 210

Career overview

Period Club Matches/Goals Titles Caps / Goals
1963–74 Borussia Lippstadt
1974–84 FC Bayern Munich 310 / 162 Intercontinental Cup: 1976
European Cup of Champions: 1975, 1976
Championship: 1980, 1981
German Cup: 1982, 1984
78 / 40
1984-87 Internazionale 64 / 24 17 / 5
1987-89 Servette FC Genève 50 / 34 -
1976-86 Germany 95 / 45 European Championship: 1980 95 / 45
Also: Finalist at the World Cup: 1982, 1986. Finalist of the European Cup of Champions: 1982,
Personal Distinctions
1980 Top Scorer Bundesliga 26 Goals
1981 Top Scorer Bundesliga 29 Goals
1984 Top Scorer Bundesliga 26 Goals
1989 Top Scorer Swiss League 24 Goals
1980 German Footballer of the Year
1980 European Footballer of the Year
1981 European Footballer of the Year
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Bernard Dietz
Germany captain
1981–1986
Succeeded by
Harald Schumacher

References

  1. Schulze-Marmeling, Dietrich (2003) (in German). Die Bayern. Die Geschichte des deutschen Rekordmeisters. Die Werkstatt. pp. 637. ISBN 389533426X. 

External links