Hoeneß: Rudi Assauer helped shape the Bundesliga

Rudi Assauer, long-serving general manager of FC Schalke 04, died on Wednesday at the age of 74. At FC Bayern's DFB Cup round of sixteen game at Hertha BSC a minute's silence was held before kick-off in Assauer's memory.

"Rudi Assauer was one of the most professional managers in the history of German football. He helped shape the Bundesliga during his time with Werder Bremen and Schalke 04," FC Bayern president Uli Hoeneß said. "Despite all our sporting rivalries, we always had the greatest respect for each other. Rudi was a person you could rely on. His word counted, an agreement made by handshake was valid, you could rely on that one hundred percent with him. Of course we also had controversial discussions, but in the end, we could always look each other in the eye."

Former Bundesliga player Assauer was general manager of the Royal Blues from 1981 to 1986 and from 1993 to 2006, periods including triumphs in the UEFA Cup in 1997 and the DFB Cup in 2001 and 2002. Prior to that, Assauer was general manager at SV Werder Bremen from 1976 to 1981.

FC Bayern mourns the loss of a person who played a major role in shaping the Bundesliga over many years. The club especially offers condolences to Assauer's family.