Former Germany coach Jupp Derwall died on Tuesday. The German Football Assosciation (DFB) laments the death of it's former coach, who led the German national team to the European Championship in 1980. Josef Derwall was 80 years old.
DFB President Dr. Theo Zwanziger said: "Because of Jupp Derwall's work, the German national team celebrated some major triumphs in the 1970's and 1980's. He was blessed with a bright and cheerful coaching style. He led without offending people. His expert knowledge was widely recognized. The DFB loses an outstanding coach, who held a position among the best international coaches in his prime."
Following the 1978 World Cup, Derwall succeeded Helmut Schön as Germany's coach. He had been Schön's assistant between 1970 and 1978. As the Mannschaft's head coach, his greatest triumph came in 1980, when Germany won the European Championships in 1980 in Italy. In 1982, Derwall led Germany to a second place finish at the FIFA World Cup in Spain. Derwall's record string of 23 undefeated games is still unmatched. During his reign as Germany's coach, Derwall accumulated a record of 45 wins, eleven loses and eleven ties.
The national player (2 caps) was born on March 10, 1927 in Würselen, a village close to Aachen. In 1953, his team Alemania Aachen had reached the DFB Cup final, but lost 2-1 to Rot-Weiß Essen. Two more times he would play in the prestigious final with his new club Fortuna Düsseldorf, but losing on both occassions.
His coaching career began in the Saarland. In 1970, he joined the DFB coaching staff, later assisting Helmut Schön at the 1974 World Cup triumph. He succeeded Schön following the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Some critics opposed Derwall in his early days, judging him as too weak because of his good-natured personality. Derwall proved them all wrong. In 1980, he led Germany to victory in Rome, beating Belgium 2-1 in the final of the European Championships.
Following his tenure at the DFB, Derwall began an impressive run in Turkey, winning the championship with Galatasaray Istanbul in 1987. Despite an offer for a lifetime contract, Derwall chose to return to Germany in 1989.
Following a severe heart attack in 1991, Derwall slowed down his professional life. The DFB honoured his many achievements by awarding him the golden badge of honour. In 1994, he became an honorary member in the German coaches assosciation.
