Interview with Stefan Reuter: 'The title celebrations on Marienplatz were the greatest'

At FC Bayern, Stefan Reuter was known as the ‘Turbo’ on the right wing, who won two league titles. Later, he helped shape FC Augsburg as a club official. Ahead of his 60th birthday and the Bundesliga clash between his two former clubs, he talks to FC Bayern members' magazine ‘51’ about Leberkäse at Uli Hoeneß’s house, Diego Maradona, and life lessons.

Stefan Reuter – The interview

Herr Reuter, it’s hard to imagine nowadays, but as a player, you actually personally negotiated your contract with FC Bayern – without a professional agent. How did that work?
“I took my father along to the meeting. I never had an agent throughout my entire playing career. At Uli Hoeneß’s house, there was Leberkäs and pretzels. When he asked what I’d like to drink, I said a wheat beer would be just perfect. He laughed and replied that I’d come to the right place at Bayern Munich.”

Later in your career, as managing director of 1860 Munich and managing director, sport at FC Augsburg, you often found yourself on the other side of the negotiating table. Did you think back to your conversation with Uli Hoeneß at those times?
"Of course. I’m sure I copied one or two things from him, either consciously or subconsciously. The way Uli ran the club and fostered a good team spirit was very impressive. He certainly organised the odd team night out now and then, which did the team’s togetherness a world of good. As a player, I always questioned why certain decisions were made. That’s why, during my time at Bayern and later as captain at Borussia Dortmund, I frequently had discussions with coaches and managers. Even after my playing career ended, Uli remained an invaluable person to talk to. That helped me immensely in my role as managing director.”

What lessons did you learn from your time at Säbener Straße?
“Jupp Heynckes led the team brilliantly. Even in difficult times, he made everyone feel positive and told us we had to keep working hard. After all, the sun can’t always shine. We always had to be fully committed, give it our all in training and prepare well for matches. That really made an impression on me. The partnership between Jupp and Uli Hoeneß also served as a role model for me for my life after my playing career.”

Under Heynckes, you won the Bundesliga twice in three years. What do you particularly enjoy looking back on?
“Celebrating the title twice at Marienplatz was the greatest thing for me. The international games were also particular highlights. We played against Napoli, with Diego Maradona, at the Olympiastadion. During the warm-up, with his boots unlaced, he played keepie-uppy with the ball in front of the home end. Before the match, people were saying Diego wasn’t in top form anymore. But what he did with the ball and how he set up his teammates was simply extraordinary. Matches like that were incredible experiences and I was lucky enough to have them as a young footballer.”

You moved straight from the football pitch to the club’s head office after your playing career ended. Where did the desire to stay involved in football come from?
“It’s an incredible gift to be able to turn your hobby into a career. It was always clear to me that I’d move into management when my playing career ended. Of course, I had the advantage of having contacts like Uli Hoeneß and Karl Hopfner. I could always ring them whenever I had any questions. The original plan was actually for me to move into long-term management at Borussia Dortmund after my playing career. But that didn’t work out. So an opportunity arose to join 1860 Munich. At FC Augsburg, I was then very lucky to have Walther Seinsch and Klaus Hofmann, who told me they needed my feel for football. I replied: ‘You’ll get that every day.’“

When you joined FCA at the end of 2012, the club had nine points at the winter break. Was that the main incentive?
“Internally, the feeling was that the team’s relegation was inevitable. But when we returned from the training camp, I realised that the coach, Markus Weinzierl, and the team were a good fit. However, we had to ensure that the speculation about the coach came to an end. As a result, we picked up a sensational 24 points in the second half of the season to secure safety. Together, we were able to lay the foundations for the club’s stability and help the team progress. Today, FC Augsburg is in a very healthy position.”

FC Augsburg officially bid you farewell at the end of the 2025/26 season. What does your personal future in the football business look like?
“Initially, the plan was for me to take on another management or board position. However, that fell through. So I’m now working in an advisory capacity with my agency, which had lain dormant during my time in Augsburg. I have a very good relationship with my former clubs and am always delighted to see everyone there again. I'll definitely remain connected to football.”

Excerpts taken from an interview in the October edition of ‘51’, the FC Bayern members’ magazine.