Interview with Franz 'Bulle' Roth to mark his 80th birthday

Franz 'Bulle' Roth scored crucial goals in three of FC Bayern's European finals. Without him, the record champions' history would look very different today. On 27 April, the man for the important goals turns 80. In our interview, he talks about his friendship with Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, his admiration for Harry Kane and Vincent Kompany - and the secret of his success: a slice of strawberry cream cake before a game.

Interview with Franz ‘Bulle’ Roth

Herr Roth, a few weeks before your 80th birthday, you attended an FC Bayern reserves match at your old stomping ground, the Grünwalder Stadion. What was that like?
”It’s almost unbelievable: it was my first time there since our team moved to the Olympiastadion in 1972. A lot has changed; our changing rooms have been completely refurbished – back then, there was no such thing as comfort: the bags would just be dumped in there – with shirts, shorts and boots – and everyone had to sort through everything themselves. I still remember how, once in the depths of winter, we wanted to wear tights because the pitch was frozen. Our manager Robert Schwan just said: ‘No way.’ End of discussion (laughs).”

What else came to mind?
"The atmosphere was incredible. Our grandstand was standing room only – a fantastic atmosphere. Back then, a ticket cost two or three marks. I remember the first time I went to Säbener Straße. The route took me up Giesinger Berg, past the stadium, and I thought: I might play there one day. As a reserve, you don’t know if you’ll actually ever make it. Those memories, that feeling, will stay with me forever.”

Is it true that one of your shots once broke the scoreboard?
“Yes, it really was in pieces. I wanted to shoot at goal from distance, so I had to put some power into the shot. I just put too much into it (laughs). I’d just joined Bayern from the Bayernliga. We lost the first match 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt. In the second match in Düsseldorf, I made the team – and from then on I was a regular starter.”

And you became a legend at FC Bayern alongside Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Sepp Maier.
“We were a close-knit group; we did everything together, even off the pitch. I often went to the cinema with Gerd; he loved Westerns. During ‘A Fistful of Dollars’, we even stayed behind and watched the film twice in a row. Gerd loved it, so I said, ‘All right then, I’ll stay too!’ I’m incredibly grateful to FC Bayern for everything I was able to experience. ‘Legend’ is a bit too grand a term for me – for me, it was simply always something special to wear those colours.”

Statues have been erected in front of the Allianz Arena in honour of Franz and Gerd. What would you like to say to them today?
"(haltingly) That we had such a wonderful time. That I'm so incredibly happy that we became friends. That they were unique people, something truly special."

You yourself scored decisive goals in three European finals. Which one was the most important to you?
“The most important goal was the 1–0 – the winner in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Glasgow Rangers in Nuremberg. That was the breakthrough; it was the first time FC Bayern were on everyone’s lips internationally. We’d only been promoted to the Bundesliga two years earlier; we were a very young team, clearly the underdogs, but we came out on top. From then on, things went from strength to strength year on year.”

There’s that famous photo of you in bed with the trophy on the nightstand…
“Actually, you weren’t allowed to take the trophy. I really wanted the match ball back then, but it was reserved for the referee. Schwan went into his dressing room with me and gave it to me. I got everyone to sign it, but unfortunately the signatures have faded over time. The ball is on display at the FC Bayern Museum.”

You regularly go to the Allianz Arena. What do you think of FC Bayern today, in 2026 – 50 years after your third consecutive European Cup victory?
"There are always different eras, but FC Bayern have enjoyed consistent success over the decades. Ever since I joined – almost 60 years ago now – the club has been among the world’s elite. The fans have every reason to be proud. That’s because the club is managed exceptionally well. Uli Hoeneß becoming general manager in 1979 was the biggest stroke of luck. FC Bayern is Uli Hoeneß – and Uli Hoeneß is FC Bayern. There’s no need to say any more than that. Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also achieved great things here after their playing careers."

Who in the current squad particularly impresses you?
"Harry Kane is a phenomenon, an exceptional footballer. He can defend, score goals – he can do it all. What’s more, he’s the England captain, yet he never tries to hog the limelight. That’s another reason why he’s so successful. But you have to mention them all: Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer – you could list them all. And Vincent Kompany is currently the best coach in the whole of Europe in my view. It goes beyond the pitch and the dressing room: that sense of calm, that charisma. He’s got everything under control.”

How do you think Kimmich and Aleks Pavlović are doing in your old position?
"They’re both outstanding. They set the pace. They complement each other perfectly; they’re a perfect match. I can’t think of many better in the whole of Europe. They’re both absolute professionals.”

You yourself used to keep a sweet secret about your strength…
"I grew up on a farm, so I was always the first one of the team awake. On matchdays, I'd need a quick bite to eat before setting off for the game, so I had a secret arrangement with the hotel staff – there was always a slice of strawberry cream cake waiting for me in the corner of the kitchen. Schwan eventually caught me: ‘What on earth are you doing?’ At first he was stunned, then he said: ‘Carry on eating if that’s what you need.’"

What are your hopes for FC Bayern in the future?
“I have no doubt FC Bayern will still be right at the top of world football in 20 or 30 years’ time. They always think ahead here. The core philosophy of FC Bayern is success. And that will never be lost. We always said to ourselves: ‘No one’s taking off our lederhosen.’ FC Bayern cannot go under. That’s not going to happen. ‘Mia san mia’ – that has to remain.”

We look back at FC Bayern’s Champions League semi-finals: