DFB.de: So then it was a 'Team of the Century'?
Heynckes: There’s no doubt that we had a wonderfully talented football team with many exceptional players.
DFB.de: How important was this championship title 18 years after the 'Miracle of Bern' in terms of the development of German football?
Heynckes: Every big success is important in the development of football - in terms of tactical improvements, and the gaining of knowledge in the technical side of the game. I also think the triumph sent a message to international football, which benefited the Bundesliga in particular. We won it playing a style that had never been seen before - quick changes of tempo, innovative football. You can only play this kind of football when you have world class players at your disposal, and we had exactly that back then.
DFB.de: What memories of the tournament have stayed with you?
Heynckes: One thing I will always remember was the bizarre format. The quarterfinal against England was played over two legs, and the final period (semi-final and final) took place five weeks later over a four-day period. This would be impossible today because of commercial commitments.
DFB.de: Following the 2-1 semi-final win over Belgium, you played a key role against the USSR in the final, setting up the first two goals of the match. How proud are you today to have been part of this dream team?
Heynckes: Proud is a big word. But having been an international during this period and one of the best Bundesliga players does fill me with pride. And to have your name mentioned in the same breath as the 1972 team is of course amazing.
The best managers, from experience, are rarely the best players. Jupp Heynckes is proof that the two are not mutually exclusive. The legendary coach, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 1998 and the famous treble with Bayern München in 2013, was also one of Germany’s top strikers. He was crowned champion of Germany four times with Borussia Mönchengladbach, won the DFB Cup and UEFA Cup, and has scored the third-most goals in Bundesliga history (220) after Gerd Müller (365) and Klaus Fischer (268). In 1972, he won the European Championship and just two years later, the World Cup.
In an interview with DFB.de and Wolfgang Tobien, Heynckes reflects on the memorable tournament in Belgium, discusses the importance of the first European title for Germany, and offers his opinion on Germany's chances ahead of the 2016 European Championships in France.
DFB.de: Mr. Heynckes, Germany qualified for the European Championships for the first time in 1972, and went on to win the whole tournament. How was this success greeted by the public?
Jupp Heynckes: I’ve seen some pictures recently of the match and how there were huge amount of fans around the pitch longing for the full-time whistle to be blown. We experienced the fans storming the pitch after the match, something which was very unusual at that time. I think that shows how happy everyone was with the first European Championship title.
DFB.de: How was it celebrated in the team and back on home soil?
Heynckes: After we had managed to escape to the dressing room, a team photo was taken on the stage. Nothing really happened in Germany, parades and such were unheard of at that time. I went for a meal with my wife and our friends in Brussels, before driving two hours home to Mönchengladbach. That was the EUROs for me.
DFB.de: Due to the quality of football played by the team, you have since earned the reputation 'Team of the Century' - do you agree?
Heynckes: Generally speaking, you can’t use today’s standards to judge teams from back then. The game has developed massively. With that said, you need an incredibly talented team to be crowned European champions in 1972, and then World champions two years later. We certainly had that during that decade. Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Günter Netzer, Berti Vogts, Hacki Wimmer, Grabowski, Hölzenbein and Erwin Kremers, and all the others were special players.
DFB.de: So then it was a 'Team of the Century'?
Heynckes: There’s no doubt that we had a wonderfully talented football team with many exceptional players.
DFB.de: How important was this championship title 18 years after the 'Miracle of Bern' in terms of the development of German football?
Heynckes: Every big success is important in the development of football - in terms of tactical improvements, and the gaining of knowledge in the technical side of the game. I also think the triumph sent a message to international football, which benefited the Bundesliga in particular. We won it playing a style that had never been seen before - quick changes of tempo, innovative football. You can only play this kind of football when you have world class players at your disposal, and we had exactly that back then.
DFB.de: What memories of the tournament have stayed with you?
Heynckes: One thing I will always remember was the bizarre format. The quarterfinal against England was played over two legs, and the final period (semi-final and final) took place five weeks later over a four-day period. This would be impossible today because of commercial commitments.
DFB.de: Following the 2-1 semi-final win over Belgium, you played a key role against the USSR in the final, setting up the first two goals of the match. How proud are you today to have been part of this dream team?
Heynckes: Proud is a big word. But having been an international during this period and one of the best Bundesliga players does fill me with pride. And to have your name mentioned in the same breath as the 1972 team is of course amazing.
DFB.de: Particularly as you were nominated in the FIFA All-Star Team following the European Championships.
Heynckes: Really? That’s the first time I’ve heard that.
DFB.de: Jupp Heynckes, Gerd Müller, Raoul Lambert – that was the attacking trio of the All-Star Team.
Heynckes: Okay, well now I know.
DFB.de: Following the European Championships, you enjoyed a lot of success with Borussia. You were crowned champions three years in a row, won a DFB Cup and a UEFA Cup along the way. You are one of the few attackers who was equally lethal coming from the right wing, left wing or through the middle.
Heynckes: Even though the EURO win in 1972 was an incredible achievement, I have to say my success with Germany wasn’t at the same level as in the Bundesliga. Being one of the top strikers in the Bundesliga was very motivational; I wanted to be the best. Gerd Müller was though the best, no one got anywhere near him. I was a different sort of player, I preferred playing from the left.
DFB.de: You made 39 caps between 1966 and 1976, and enjoyed the golden era of German football. What influence did this have on your coaching career?
Heynckes: The most important thing is that I was able to enjoy the successes from this period and play with some of the best players. This isn’t a prerequisite of being a good coach, but it is an advantage to have experienced what is required to make it as a player. This makes a difference particularly when communicating with your players. With that said, there are plenty of other things that make a good coach.
DFB.de: The EUROs in 1972 included a mini-tournament in the final round, which contained just four teams. This summer, 24 teams will take part from the beginning. What do you think of this development?
Heynckes: I think the main reasons for this are marketing and commerce. 24 teams, that is a real dilution of quality, and there will be big gaps in performance. I don’t think it makes that much sense.
DFB.de: How do you rate Germany’s chances of securing a European title?
Heynckes: The team haven’t really impressed since the World Cup, you have to say. They had a lot of injuries and retirements which mean the coach has had to experiment and find new solutions. Generally, they have dealt with this well. I don’t really see a clear favourite. I have been impressed with England recently, they are finally playing football. You have to consider Spain, France, Italy, England and us to be the favourites.
DFB.de: A lot of experts see Löw’s current side as being at a similar level to the 1972 team. What is your opinion?
Heynckes: Like I said, you can’t really make any direct comparisons. They played very nice football in 2010 at the World Cup, and highlighted this again in 2014, especially with performances like the 7-1 win against Brazil. They have developed and have some very good players in their ranks. In terms of creativity, I think Germany and Spain are comfortably leading the way.
DFB.de: A personal question to end: after 50 years of being involved in professional football at the highest level, you have now taken a step back. Are you having withdrawal symptoms?
Heynckes: Those that know me know that I have no problems with the step back. I would have been able to coach some top teams, I had some attractive offers and still had the hunger. You only get one life, and I knew that there was life beyond football and management. I am enjoying exactly this life, with new priorities. At the age of 68, this was perfect timing for me.
