“Der Bomber” (the bomber), European champion in 1972 and then world champion in 1974, has died, Bayern Munich said Sunday, a club with which he has played more than 600 matches.
“He is one of the greatest legends in the history of FC Bayern, what he achieved remains unmatched to this day and will forever be a part of the great history of FC Bayern and all of German football, ” said Oliver Kahn . As a player and as a person, Gerd Müller represents FC Bayern and its development into one of the greatest clubs in the world which is unlike any other. Gerd will be in our hearts forever. ”
The legendary German striker Gerd Müller has died aged 75. The forward scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, including the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final against Holland.
During 15 years at Bayern Müller netted a record 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and 66 goals in 74 European matches.
In a statement the Bayern Munich president, Herbert Hainer, said: “Today is a sad, dark day for FC Bayern and all its fans. Gerd Müller was the greatest striker there’s ever been and a fine person and character of world football. We’re all united in deep mourning with his wife, Uschi, as well as his family.
“FC Bayern wouldn’t be the club we all love today without Gerd Müller. His name and memory will live on forever.”
Müller began his career at TSV Nördlingen, scoring well over a goal a game in Germany’s lower divisions before joining Bayern in 1964, when the club was in the second tier. Thirty‑three league goals in his first season helped to restore the club to the Bundesliga and within four years Bayern were German champions, a title they won four times in five years. More impressive still was their stretch of three European Cup wins in a row, from 1974-76, to which Müller contributed 18 goals including three in the finals.
In his 15 years at Bayern Müller was the Bundesliga’s top scorer seven times, the German footballer of the year twice and the recipient of the Ballon d’Or once, in 1970. He left in 1979 to follow the likes of Pelé and George Best to the North American Soccer League, where he played three seasons for Fort Lauderdale Strikers, before returning to Bayern as a coach. He remains the Bundesliga’s all‑time top scorer.
Müller’s feats on the international stage were no less impressive. After making his debut in 1966 he quickly racked up goals at a rate of over one a game, including 10 at the 1970 World Cup and eight hat-tricks. His last appearance for Germany was the 1974 World Cup final, held at Bayern’s Olympiastadion, where he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win to make his country world champions. His record of 68 international goals for Germany stood for four decades, until Miroslav Klose surpassed it in 2014 (though Klose took 132 games to Müller’s 62).
The Bayern chief executive officer, Oliver Kahn, also paid tribute: “The news of Gerd Müller’s death deeply saddens us all. He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of FC Bayern.His achievements are unrivalled to this day and will forever be a part of the great history of FC Bayern and all of German football. As a player and a person Gerd Müller stands for FC Bayern and its development into one of the biggest clubs in the world like no other. Gerd will forever be in our hearts.”
Germany and Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller has passed away, aged 75, the Bundesliga club has confirmed.
Muller is one of European football’s greatest ever goalscorers, with 566 goals in all competitions over 15 years for Bayern.
He also hit 68 goals in just 62 caps for Die Mannschaft, and was only recently surpassed by Miroslav Klose in 2014, who retired with 71 goals.
He also amassed many honours with Bayern, including three European Cups, four German league titles and four DFB Cups.
A statement on the website read: “Today the world of FC Bayern stands still. The German record champions and its entire fan base mourn Gerd Müller who died early Sunday morning at the age of 75.
“Gerd Müller made history with the German record champions and the German national team. He scored an unbelievable 566 goals in 607 competitive games for FC Bayern and set the unprecedented record of 365 goals in the Bundesliga, he also secured the top scorer seven times. For the DFB selection, he scored 68 times in 62 missions.”