It's 70 years since Germany celebrated the 'Miracle of Bern', when Sepp Herberger's side sensationally won the World Cup. Also involved was Bayern's Hans Bauer, who featured in two games at the tournament. FC Bayern members' magazine '51' looks back.
The mission was a big one, but Hans Bauer hadn't forgotten his roots. In June 1954, a postcard arrived at the offices of FC Bayern from Spiez, which every member would've liked to keep for themselves. It was signed by the only Munich player in Sepp Herberger's World Cup squad, and on top of that – according to the 'Club News' – "a real treasure trove for autograph hunters". From Toni Turek to Fritz Walter and Helmut Rahn, all the German players took pen in hand and signed the consignment, which was sent on the 350-kilometre journey to the Bavarian capital as the crow flies. At the time, they were still World Cup participants but when the card arrived, the senders were world champions.
Sendling boy the pride of the city
Seventy years have passed since that little anecdote about a great miracle, and although the communication methods are mostly different nowadays and the football world turns much quicker, those days in the summer of 1954 remain historic. Johann "Hans" Bauer († 1997) was the first of 20 German world champions from our club to date, and although he didn't play a major role at the finals in Switzerland, he made a whole city proud. You could see just how proud the then mayor Thomas Wimmer was when he welcomed the German world champions on the town hall balcony after they arrived in Munich on a special train overflowing with gifts. There stood the stars who had kissed the Republic awake. And in the centre of it all: the Munich golden boy Hans Bauer, who was singled out time and again.
"The Bayern player has proved himself worthy of all honours", was the sober statement in the 'Club News'. Yet the club that Bauer had joined six years earlier after moving from FC Wacker München knew what they had in this special player and person. He was good-looking, elegantly dressed, always in a good mood and loved to be a scamp.
Leasehold petrol station in Munich-Pasing
And so it was no coincidence that Bauer knew how to utilise his charm in both his private and professional life. He was married twice and at the end of his life was in a relationship with the Munich socialite Hilde Käfer. And even if the bonuses in the hour of his greatest success were different and the fame after the sensational 3-2 win over Hungary in the final did not go to everyone, the title still helped him along. Only the starting XI were given a scooter by a private sponsor, so Bauer quickly bought a Fiat Topolino out of his own pocket and from then on also worked with cars. Shell AG offered him a lucrative leasehold petrol station in Munich-Pasing, and the plan behind it was clear: Bauer was to use his popularity to attract customers. No sooner said than done. The new daily routine: work in Pasing from morning to late afternoon, then go to training at least three times a week. A lot of effort, just as much reward.
The fact that his new employers were sports enthusiasts revealed itself in other ways, too. After all, Shell AG had invited him to an evening of honour following his great success. In view of the setting – his parents and representatives of FC Bayern were also invited alongside Mayor Wimmer – Bauer even had to fight back tears during his speech. When he finally found the words, he said: "I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and promise to remain a capable and well-behaved person!" He immediately donated the cheque for 500 Deutschmarks to flood victims. The conclusion of the 'Club News': "Hansl is made of the right stuff." Growing up with two brothers in poorer circumstances, money had never really been important to him.
Captain for 1957 cup win
Bauer, a Mediterranean type with gelled hair, had clear ideas about the kind of life that he wanted for himself. And so he only wanted to actively pursue his passion for football. After his career ended, he promptly left the club and bought his own tickets when he wanted to go to the stadium. He followed the club's promotion to the Bundesliga six years after the end of his career as a silent supporter and fan. What remained, however, was that Bauer was not only a world champion, but also an important part of the 1956 resurgence (nine goals in 33 games) and one of the most influential figures in Bayern's first DFB Cup victory. As captain, he lifted the trophy in 1957 after a 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf in Augsburg. Bauer's greatest success with the club – another one for the history books.
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