Roth, Gerland and Magath receive Bavarian Order of Merit

A great honour for a ‘bull’, a ‘tiger’ and a ‘tough dog’: Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder has awarded 63 people with the Bavarian Order of Merit this year, including three figures from the FC Bayern family in Franz ‘Bulle’ Roth, Hermann Gerland (nicknamed ‘Tiger’) and former FCB coach Felix Magath, renowned for his emphasis on physical fitness.

Roth said he was delighted to receive this award, adding: “It's a wonderful sign that our successes in the 1970s have not been forgotten. I believe that, with our team, we can still convey to people today how you can make it from Bavaria to the top.” He also dedicated the Order of Merit to his two long-time companions Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, who have since passed away: "Without these two, we would never have come this far, and in general, such a personal award is always a reason to thank all my team-mates. In football, as in life, you can only achieve something together; you won't get very far on your own. That's my message to people today on the occasion of this award ceremony."

Gerland, who helped to form players such as Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Sammy Kuffour as coach of the reserves and first-team assistant to Louis van Gaal, Pep Guardiola and Jupp Heynckes, gave his reaction to the order: “I turned my hobby into a career. My job was to develop young players – and from time to time I succeeded. You have to work hard in life, then you’ll get what you deserve. That’s what I stand for: that young people in particular are always aware that you only advance when you’re willing to dedicate yourself to your cause.” He joked with ‘Bulle’ Roth: “As a player you were a clogger just like me – but you were better.”

The Bavarian Order of Merit has been awarded since June 1957 in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Free State of Bavaria and the Bavarian people. It’s regarded as the state’s most exclusive honour because, by law, there can only be 2,000 living inductees at any one time. FCB legend Sepp Maier was honoured last year, while Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Bastian Schweinsteiger are also among the current holders. The first recipient of the order was then chancellor Konrad Adenauer. Inductees have special privileges such as being able to travel free of charge by boat on Bavarian lakes and free admission to the castles and museums of the Free State. 

Bayern legend Hermann Gerland has ended his coaching career: