From Jürgen Klinsmann kicking an advertising drum to the infamous "was erlauben Strunz?" ('what gives Strunz the right?') press conference, FC Bayern had some unforgettable moments with Giovanni Trapattoni. The Italian gentleman was coach of the German record champions for three seasons (1994/95 and 1996 to 1998), during which time he won one Bundesliga title (1997), the DFB Cup (1998) and the former Ligapokal (1997). Trapattoni celebrates his 81st birthday today (Tuesday), and everyone at fcbayern.com wishes him all the best!
The successful coach still looks back fondly on his three years at Säbener Straße. “I’ll never forget how much respect was shown to me in Munich, from the players as well as the fans. I wasn’t used to that in Italy," recalls Trapattoni.
"I fell in love with the city immediately”, he adds. “Munich is wonderful. I felt more than at home there. Munich will always have a place in my heart,” described the former AC Milan player, who also collected several trophies during his playing career, including two European Cups and the Cup Winners’ Cup.
As well as his multifaceted tactical knowledge, he is also remembered for his temperament. In March 1998, Il Trap launched a legendary outburst at Säbener Straße. “At first I was restrained, then suddenly my temper got the better of me,” explains Trapattoni, who had “more or less planned” what he wanted to say, “but not the way it was then said”. Many of the expressions from that press conference – "ein Trainer ist nicht ein Idiot!" ("a coach is not an idiot"), “schwach wie eine Flasche leer” (“weak like an empty bottle”) and “ich habe fertig” (“I have finished”) are still well remembered by football fans.