Dieter Hoeneß: 'The cup final is a football festival – and for me a family affair'

Dieter Hoeneß was a successful forward for FC Bayern from 1979 up to his retirement in 1987, scoring 145 goals in 302 competitive appearances. Before that, he spent four years at VfB Stuttgart. Ahead of the cup final between the two clubs on Saturday night, the now 73-year-old speaks about his very personal cup memories. 

Interview with Dieter Hoeneß

Mr Hoeneß, when football fans hear your name, they immediately think of the images from the 1982 cup final against Nürnberg: with a blood-stained bandage after a collision, you headed in the goal to complete a 4-2 win for FC Bayern. Is that also your memory when you heard the word ‘Pokal’?
“No, but that scene, that match was certainly something special. Every cup final has its own story. When I think of the DFB Cup, I don’t just think of the three wins, but also of 1985, of Bayer Uerdingen, the first time in Berlin, how unbelievably hot it was that day, how blindly we went into it and lost 2-1. Cup finals are special moments in the life of a footballer. The 5-2 win over VfB Stuttgart in 1986 has its story, too.”

What story? 
“We were so grateful to VfB that year for helping us to become German champions. We thought to ourselves: if VfB now win the cup, that’s also fine! Then we scored five goals, three of them from Roland Wohlfarth, and won 5-2.”

Now it’s Bayern versus Stuttgart in the final again. Your professional career started at VfB, with Bayern you won five league titles and three cups. Who will Dieter Hoeneß be supporting?
“I had eight fantastic years at FC Bayern. I have a very special connection to ‘Kalle’ Rummenigge, for example, and to many other ex-teammates. But I was also at VfB Stuttgart for nine years, four as a player and five as general manager. Obviously I’m a bit torn before the final, but the fact that my son Sebastian coaches VfB allows me to hope a bit more for VfB. I don’t think you can blame me for that – especially with FC Bayern already being German champions.”

How does a cup win differ emotionally to a championship for a player?
“In the league, you have to earn it all in 34 matches. The route to the cup is shorter.”

Your wife was heavily pregnant with Sebastian when you immortalised yourself with the bandage in 1982. Tell us about your father-son relationship.
“There are obviously moments in his coaching career when I can give him a bit of my experience from 55 years in professional football. The typical coaching issues – that’s only his business. He knows the team better and sees them every day. It’s clear that FC Bayern are favourites in the final, partly because of their results against VfB this season but also because of the fact that FC Bayern have had an incredible season. But I know from my own experience that anything can happen in one match.”

Bayern have scored a whopping 122 league goals this season. How much does this firepower impress you?
“Yes, it’s unbelievable! It’s not just the goals – Bayern have played fantastic football. VfB will have to pay a lot of attention, especially to the Bayern attack.”

What’s your personal wish for the cup final? Anything besides the result?
“I hope it’s another football festival. Every time you get this experience in Berlin, in the German Wembley, it’s a festival. The Olympiastadion isn’t a pure football stadium but for the cup final, when two great fan bases meet, it’s fascinating and extraordinary. It’s fantastic, both as a player and spectator!”