Once Upon A Time…-Part Four (Jean-Marie Pfaff: The Entertainer)
October 31, 2019
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In a profession known for its mutual depression temperature hard realism, Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff was an anomaly as a bon vivant.
In the 1970s together with 1980s, goalkeepers were sober together with serious characters epitomized past times his contemporaries such as Dino Zoff, Peter Shilton together with Rinat Dassayev.
In contrast, Pfaff was a clown all likewise eager to delight together with entertain the fans.
However, his bubbly personality together with behaviour on the champaign contrasted sharply amongst his dedication to hard go together with grooming off of it.
The world by together with large loved him, yet some segments of the Press as good as his swain professionals viewed him amongst suspicion together with distrust.
Pfaff was born on Dec 4th, 1953 at Lebbeke nigh Antwerp. He lived inwards poverty amongst a large theatre unit of measurement consisting of twelve siblings (Six boys together with Six girls, he was the 10th child).
The theatre unit of measurement lived inwards a caravan travelling from metropolis to metropolis selling rugs.
His begetter was killed inwards an automobile accident when he was eleven. At this point, he believed he could have got turned into a delinquent had it non been for the back upwards of his large family.
Football also played a business office inwards keeping him inwards a positive path.
From a really immature age, The Game was inwards his blood together with specially the purpose of the goalkeeper. It was the sport that would have got him out of a life of poverty.
He joined the youth laid upwards of nearby lodge SK Beveren on June 21st, 1965 as an eleven-year old.
He was (according to himself) curt together with overweight. The Management would go on his diet together with worked him really hard inwards shaping the youngster together with inwards fourth dimension he would lose the weight together with have got a increment spurt.
His visible talent at such a immature historic menses would enable to displace upwards the ranks. He was fifty-fifty called upwards past times Belgium’s UEFA Juniors squad spell at schoolboy level.
He would abandon schoolhouse at the historic menses of 14 to live fully dedicated to succeeding as a hereafter professional.
The eighteen-year old would acquire his peril to brand his debut for the Beveren’s showtime squad on Apr 9th, 1972 inwards a League tally vs. Crossing Schaerbeek (1-2 loss). He would play a handful of matches inwards the season, but Beveren would live relegated at the terminate of the season.
The next flavor (1972/73) inwards the Second Division, Pfaff would live elevated as starting goalkeeper together with assist his squad win immediate advertisement past times winning the Second Division title.
The next flavor (1973/74) would live Pfaff’s showtime as a starter inwards top flight. Beveren finished inwards the 10th position, but Pfaff’s performances were non going unnoticed together with his stature was growing as a hereafter heir apparent to Belgium’s Number i Christian Piot.
For the fourth dimension being, National Team Manager restricted Pfaff as a substitute goalkeeper behind the untouchable Piot.
Goethals was soundless non convinced past times the talented youngster together with felt he was soundless lacking inwards sure areas (especially inwards the air).
At the terminate of that showtime total flavor on June 27th, 1974, Pfaff married Carmen Seth who would non alone live his spouse, but also play a larger purpose inwards his career. She would human activity as his Manager together with furnish him the much needed back upwards together with peace of hear that a sportsman needed at home.
They would have got 3 daughters, the showtime i Debby would live born on May 30th, 1975. Her sisters Kelly together with Lyndsey would live born on July 26th, 1977 together with Oct 4th, 1978 respectively.
The next flavor (1974/75), amongst Jef Jurion at the helm, the squad fared worse past times finishing inwards the 12th position. Jurion trained him amongst the outfield players to strengthen him.
Jurion did driblet Pfaff for a number of matches. Fortunately (for Pfaff) Jurion was replaced after this pitiable flavor together with replaced amongst Urbain Braems.
Braems would i time once to a greater extent than install Pfaff as the starter for the novel flavor (1975/76). The appointment of Braems would live a turning dot inwards Pfaff’s progress. Braems also worked him really hard together with prepared him for the side past times side step. Pfaff would await upon Braems as his spiritual begetter together with would live thankful of his influence for the relaxation of his career.
He would care him on 3 split occasions. It was nether his tutelage that Pfaff finally received his long awaited showtime cap.
This flavor (1975/76) would live the turning dot for Beveren together with Pfaff. The Team nether Braems finished inwards the 6th position. After beingness an understudy for the nearly 2 years Pfaff was handed his National Team debut towards the terminate of the season.
The Belgians had been virtually eliminated from the Euro Quarterfinals past times archrival neighbors Holland, only weeks before (April 25th) inwards a humiliating (0-5) loss.
Raymond Goethals had resigned together with the novel human being inwards accuse was Guy Thys.
Thys saw the demand inwards rebuilding an ageing side together with decided to inject novel blood into the squad. Pfaff started inwards goal, instead of Christian Piot, for the render leg of this qualifier inwards Brussels on May 22nd, 1976.
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Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman (1) (Jean-Marie Pfaff inwards his International debut unable to halt Johann Cruyff’s strike, May 22, 1976, UEFA Euroepan Championships, Kingdom of Belgium 1-Holland 2) |
Belgium lost i time to a greater extent than (1-2) but Pfaff was involved inwards an incident that would heighten eyebrows. After the Great Johann Cruyff had scored on him amongst a beautiful lob, Pfaff had congratulated him. His activity was seen amongst sure cynicism from the press who were baffled past times his motives. Pfaff insisted that his actions had been misinterpreted. He maintained that he wanted to congratulate him because it had been a beautiful goal together with he was acting sportsmanlike. This was only i incident that maybe confirmed his reputation as a hard character.
Pfaff believed that it was some other incident from which the Press falsely attached him the ‘difficult’ tag. Pfaff claimed that inwards his early on days inwards the National Team he was the sole Beveren player. Most players were from the Big 3 clubs (Anderlecht, Standard Liege together with Club Brugge). According to Pfaff, the players from those clubs did non mix amongst others together with stayed together (played cards, etc).
As a result, i twenty-four hr menses inwards the grooming military camp amongst the National Team, he grew tired together with started going out walking together with jogging inwards the vicinity. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 reporter saw him together with started asking him questions together with according to Pfaff falsely deduced that in that location was problem inside the military camp amongst him together with others together with reported it.
The side past times side flavor (1976/77) Beveren struggled inwards the League together with finished inwards the bottom half. At the National Team Thys kept religious belief amongst the to a greater extent than experienced Piot as the World Cup 1978 Qualifiers got underway.
For the (1977/78) season, Thys elevated Pfaff as the starting goalkeeper after Piot retired from the National Team.
It was a memorable flavor for the Team as they finished 5th inwards the League.
Pfaff won his showtime major silverware as Beveren triumphed inwards the Belgian League after defeating Charleroi (2-0) on May 21st, 1978.
His growing stature was underlined when at the terminate of the twelvemonth he was elected as ‘Soulier d’Or’, Belgium’s musician of the year. He became alone the quaternary goalkeeper to create so.
He had grown into a goalkeeper known for his first-class reflexes together with his powerfulness to launch attacks amongst quick throws. The primary criticism nigh his game was mostly nigh the mental aspects. He was seen as likewise reckless together with impatient which would Pb to mistakes most notably inwards coming out of describe likewise shortly (as would live witnessed afterward during the 1982 World Cup vs. Hungary).
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Photo From: Mirroir du Football, Jan 24, 1979 (Jean-Marie Pfaff inwards amongst immature fans during his fourth dimension at Beveren) rike, May 22, 1976, UEFA Euroepan Championships, Kingdom of Belgium 1-Holland 2) |
However, winning this laurels also brought out the publicity seeking aspect of his character. For starters he started wearing a necklace of the ‘Soulier d’Or. He also tried to exploit publicity of his laurels inwards his Sports Shop, to such an extent that the organizers of the trophy threatened a lawsuit on the grounds that it was ‘unlawful usage of a product’.
The next flavor (1978/79) would live Pfaff’s most successful yet. The human being responsible for his ascension Urbain Braems had left the lodge after winning the Cup Title. The novel man inwards accuse at Beveren was Robert Goethals. The little unfashionable squad musical rhythm out all odds together with ended upwards as Champions of Kingdom of Belgium (Pfaff’s showtime League title).
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Photo From: Onze, Issue 40, Apr 1979 (Jean-Marie Pfaff inwards activity amongst Beveren) |
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Photo From: Onze, Issue 40, Apr 1979 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst Beveren’s championship winning squad, 1978/79) |
In Pfaff’s showtime foray inwards a European Competition, Beveren reached the semifinals of the Cup Winners Cup before beingness eliminated past times eventual winners Barcelona.
The heaven seemed the bound for the soundless semi-professional Pfaff, who soundless worked at a Bank part-time. Beveren was appearing smaller together with smaller for his ambitions.
His affairs were beingness managed past times his married adult woman Carmen who had to debate amongst a flurry of offers from the likes of Anderlecht, Ajax, Feyenoord, Schalke, Twente Enschede together with AZ’67 Alkmaar amid others.
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Photo From: Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst Barcelona’s Hansi Krankl during the 1979 Cup Winners Cup semifinals inwards Apr 1979) |
He stayed seat at Beveren for the novel flavor (1979/80) but Beveren were unable to maintain the previous seasons’ successes together with struggled together with finished mid-table.
They did reach the Cup Final but were deprived of whatever silverware after losing to Waterschei (1-2) inwards the Final.
Pfaff also lost his starting seat at the National Team to Theo Custers as Kingdom of Belgium qualified for the 1980 Euros.
Into the bound of 1980, Custers was the starter together with looked probable to live the starter at the Euros. However, only before the Euros, Thys opted to start amongst Pfaff.
Pfaff would vantage him amongst first-class performances as the under-rated Belgians reached the Final past times finishing showtime together with undefeated inwards a Group amongst the Hosts Italy, England together with Spain.
West Deutschland defeated Kingdom of Belgium (2-1) inwards the Final, but Pfaff together with Belgium’s star was on the ascension inwards the International Level.
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Photo From: Onze, Issue 55, July 1980 (Jean-Marie Pfaff, June 12, 1980, UEFA European Championships, Kingdom of Belgium 1-England 1) |
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Photo From: Mondial, New series, number 5, August 1980 (Jean-Marie Pfaff, June 18, 1980, UEFA European Championships, Italy 0-Belgium 0) |
He was at nowadays firmly established as Belgium’s number i together with inwards add-on was at nowadays considered as i of the continent’s best.
Away from the champaign he was showed his describe of piece of occupation concern acumen past times a running a Sports Goods Shop inwards Beveren together with developed a glove specially designed for moisture conditions.
He also ran a goalkeeping schoolhouse for the immature inwards Beveren.
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Photo From: Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979 (Jean-Marie Pfaff inwards front end of his Sports Shop inwards Beveren) |
The next flavor (1980/81) was a hard flavor for Pfaff. He started good as Kingdom of Belgium started their qualification for the 1982 World Cup inwards a tough grouping containing their Dutch neighbors, French Republic together with Republic of Republic of Ireland (as good as Cyprus).
Although Beveren did good that flavor (finishing Fourth), Pfaff would miss the bulk of the 2nd one-half of the flavor as he was serving a 4 months suspension (Until June 30th, 1981).
He was defendant of kicking a Linesman on the agency to the dressing rooms inwards a Belgian Cup tally on Feb 21, 1981 vs. Lokeren (2-2). There were no witnesses but the Linesman inwards query (Mr. Thirion) had made a banking company annotation of the incident together with Pfaff was suspended.
In his absence inwards springtime, Kingdom of Belgium suffered their showtime loss inwards the qualifiers vs. French Republic (2-3) on Apr 29th, 1981, amongst Michel Preud’homme starting inwards Pfaff’s place.
Pfaff would live dorsum the next flavor (1981/82) as Kingdom of Belgium qualified for the World Cup.
It would also live his lastly flavor amongst Beveren (finishing Seventh amongst Urbain Braems dorsum at the helm) ending an association of nearly 17 years.
The primary lawsuit for that terminate of the flavor would live the World Cup inwards Spain.
This World Cup would display both sides of Pfaff’s personality. He would live as indispensable on the Field as he was controversial off of it.
Belgium played inwards the Opener vs. Defending Champions Argentine Republic on June 13th at Barcelona. Naturally all the attending was on the novel superstar of World Football Diego Maradona. But it was Pfaff who outshone the Argentine on the champaign as he had an impeccable tally inwards Belgium’s upset (1-0) victory.
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Photo From: Kingdom of Spain '82, The Winning of the World Cup, Authors Phil Soar together with Richard Wdidows (June 13, 1982, World cup, Kingdom of Belgium 1-Argentina 0) |
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Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3273 (1984) (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst Diego Maradona next the World Cup 1982 Opener) |
He was as remarkable inwards Belgium’s side past times side tally vs. El Salvador, which yielded some other (1-0) win.
However, all was non good inwards the Belgian military camp together with in that location was an incident at the Team Hotel during the World Cup that would start the procedure of alienating him from the relaxation of the squad.
During a squad acquire together amongst the Press at their Hotel ‘Huerto del Cura’, a Radio Commentator had pushed Pfaff inwards the swinning puddle as a prank. Pfaff started panicking because patently he couldn’t swim.
To many he had made such a large fuss together with ‘pretended’ to live drowning.
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Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3273 (1984) (Jean-Marie Pfaff at Hotel Huerto del Cura) |
In some other incident he had called the Police after he had seen someone go inwards teammate Rene Verheyn’s room (It turned out to live Verheyn’s wife).
Their side past times side together with Final tally inwards the Group would live the crucial i vs. Republic of Hungary on June 22nd. Kingdom of Belgium came away amongst a (1-1) necktie that they needed to qualify, but it was Pfaff’s performance on together with afterward off the champaign that would terminate his World Cup.
In the 55th infinitesimal of the match, he came out to intercept a cross, destined to Hungary’s Andras Torocsik, amongst such ferocity that he struck his teammate Eric Gerets together with injured him inwards the process.
Later on, he also nearly injured Hungary’s Laszlo Fazekas inwards rushing out for second similar attempt.
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Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 16, 1982 (Jean-Marie Pfaff during the 1982 World Cup) |
It was obvious that the previous days’ events were getting to him together with affecting his game. In the meantime, an ambulance had been called to have got Gerets to the hospital. The ambulance arrived after the match, however, Pfaff got inwards in that location showtime because of a dubious shoulder injury, thus Gerets was forced to remain behind inwards anger amongst the relaxation of the squad. The shoulder injury turned out to live a really pocket-sized one. This behavior enraged Thys (along amongst the relaxation of the squad) together with he took the determination to to driblet Pfaff for the residue of the World Cup.
Belgium lost both their matches inwards the 2nd Round without Pfaff to Poland (0-3, amongst Custers inwards the net) together with the Soviet Union (0-1 amongst Jacques Munaron inwards the goal).
A Kingdom of Belgium Federation Official Mr. Ruiter described Pfaff as an immature kid who alone sought publicity.
After the World Cup, Pfaff joined the mighty West High German powerhouse Bayern Munich inwards the Bundesliga for a fee of 225,000. He was eager for a bigger phase together with Bayern seemed ideal. He had declared that he had already won the League championship together with the ‘Soulier d’Or’ inwards Kingdom of Belgium together with was at nowadays create for the bigger phase of the Bundesliga.
Since the retirement of the Great Sepp Maier a few years before (one of Pfaff’s idols inwards add-on to Lev Yashin together with Gordon Banks), they had non found a suitable replacement inwards Walter Junghaus (deemed likewise inexperienced) nor Manfred Muller (considered to old).
Pfaff appeared the International lineament goalkeeper they were looking for (as good as having a feel of humour reminiscent of Maier).
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Jan february 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst his idol Sepp Maier) |
He would afterward let on some of the difficulties as he arrived such as non speaking the Language together with the fact that Manfred Muller together with Raimond Aumann (the other goalkeepers) were visibly opposed to his arrival.
There were also some frictions inside the squad. Had it non been for the back upwards of his married adult woman Carmen he would non have got joined Bayern. She encouraged him to bring together Bayern, since he would non accomplish glory past times staying inwards Beveren.
To accomplish his ambitions, he had to go out the friendly atmosphere of Beveren for the cold, professional person together with unforgiving World of Bayern.
Apparently, he had also requested the Management to brand Sepp Maier the goalkeeping coach but his asking was refused.
Pfaff received a rude awakening inwards his baptism inwards the Bundesliga on August 21st, 1982 vs. Werder Bremen after letting inwards a comical ain goal.
Bremen’s Uwe Reinders took a long throw inwards from the left side towards the goalmouth, Pfaff alone managed to touching it amongst the tip of his fingers together with the ball went inwards the net. Needless to say, the Media was merciless as they questioned the total paid for his services after such a comical goal.
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Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 22, March 1983 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst Klaus Aughentlaer inwards his Bundeliga debut, August 21, 1982, Werder Bremen 1-Bayern Munich 0) |
Afterwards, the Media also analyzed his every displace together with every determination during matches.
A lesser musician mightiness have got crumbled nether such pressure, but Pfaff shrugged off the incident past times maxim that it could have got happened to anybody.
Such was Pfaff’s mental strength that he slow earned his agency dorsum together with won over the Bavarian crowd amongst solid displays.
The Turning dot for him was inwards a tally vs. Defending Champions SV Hamburg on Oct 9th. Hamburg had taken a (2-0) inwards Munich together with appeared headed for win.
At i dot during the match, Pfaff tried to motivate the crowd past times running towards the South stands together with amongst his arm movements indicated to the crowd to source for the team.
Bayern clawed their agency dorsum together with tied the tally (2-2) inwards the 89th Minute.
However, moments afterward Hamburg were awarded a penalization kicking after Udo Horsmann had fouled Jurgen Milewski inwards the box. The usually dependable Manfred Kaltz was charged amongst the decisive kick. Pfaff rose to the occasion together with saved the penalization kicking together with completely won over the crowd.
Many marveled amongst the ease amongst which he had adapted to the Bundesliga inwards such a curt time. His popularity rivaled that of Bayern superstar Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
After alone a few months inwards Munich, he was regularly receiving 400 to 600 fan letters per day.
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Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 22, March 1983 (Jean-Marie Pfaff grooming hard inwards the snow) |
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Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 22, March 1983 (Jean-Marie Pfaff grooming hard inwards the snow) |
From thus on the Bayern faithful would chant ‘Jean-Marie, Jean-Marie’ during matches.
He was also e'er create to engage together with express joy amongst the fans together with happily sign autographs. Rummenigge remarked that Pfaff would live tired of signing autographs after half dozen months, but to the terminate of his tenure amongst Bayern, Pfaff was e'er in that location for the fans.
He was also really eager to engage amongst the media together with was e'er create for interviews. He would famously manus out his describe of piece of occupation concern bill of fare to journalists at a fourth dimension when most players avoided such piece of cake access to the media.
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Jan february 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff together with theatre unit of measurement inwards Bavaria) |
Many criticized his relations amongst media as shameless self-promotion. There was i occasion when Bayern teammate Wolfgang Grobe (who was also Pfaff’s neighbor) was beingness interviewed past times a Football magazine. As business office of their story they wanted a photograph of him inwards his backyard. Reportedly, Grobe had joked that they ameliorate hurry because Pfaff would live abode inwards a twosome of minutes together with would also insist to live inwards the photograph (Pfaff afterward inwards an interview stated that Grobe had denied to him this exchange).
Another dot of contention of some of his teammates were his proficient relations amongst Bayern Manager Pal Csernai (that most players were opposed to).
Despite these issues, inwards full general everything seemed rosy for Pfaff at that point, who had also been impressed amongst the High German dependent together with go ethic inwards training. He was impressed amongst their Football mentality that included daily grooming of double sessions, indoor matches inwards wintertime together with other Tournaments. He remarked that inwards Kingdom of Belgium he had fourth dimension to go exterior of Football but non inwards Germany, where i had to live fully dedicated to succeed.
He fifty-fifty indicated his wishing to extend his contract beyond his initial expiration appointment of June 1985. He also stated that he would wishing to remain inwards West Deutschland beyond his football game career.
Such was his popularity inwards this showtime season, that when ‘Fussball Magazin’ conducted their monthly Interview (where fans sent their questions via mail), he broke the tape of the number of letters received that had been laid past times Pierre Littbarski.
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 2, March Apr 1983 (Jean-Marie Pfaff answering letters posed past times the readers of Fussball Magazin) |
When at the terminate of the twelvemonth 1982, ‘Kicker Sportsmagazin’ designated Harald Schumacher as ‘World Class’ but Pfaff was designated the lesser status of ‘International Quality’, insults were sent to the mag for this oversight.
Koln goalkeeper Harald Schumacher would also acquire an arch nemesis inwards many ways. Pfaff similar most had been outraged past times Schumacher’s vicious foul on the Frenchman Patrick Battiston during the 1982 World Cup.
He farther harbored resentment when during the League tally betwixt their respective clubs Schumacher refused to milk shiver his hand. He would stance Schumacher amongst disdain for the relaxation of his Bundesliga career.
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Jan february 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff together with Harald Schumacher) |
At International Level, Thys had also forgiven him together with he was dorsum inwards the crease as a starter. Kingdom of Belgium were engaged inwards the Euro qualifiers inwards a Group amongst Scotland, Switzerland together with East Deutschland together with seemed on their agency to qualify after winning their opening 2 matches vs. Switzerland together with Scotland. In the tally vs. Scotland on Dec 15th, (3-2 Kingdom of Belgium win) he came to the rescue as he saved a penalization kicking past times Frankie Gray inwards the 78th minute.
Pfaff believed that it was after this performance that his Belgian teammates finally ‘understood’ him after 4 years. He remarked how teammate Ludo Coeck acknowledged him together with thanked him.
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Photo From: French Republic Football, Issue 1915, Dec 21, 1982 (Jean-Marie Pfaff, Dec 15, 1982, EC Qualifier, Kingdom of Belgium 3-Scotland 2) |
At the terminate of the season, Italy’s Napoli were eyeing him for a possible transfer, but Bayern laid his fee at 3 times his initial signing fee to ward off suitors.
The next flavor (1983/84), Pfaff would have got a novel boss at Bayern as Udo Latteck was appointed to Pb the squad. Pfaff would credit him for bringing dorsum dependent to the squad.
Pfaff’s popularity amongst the fans grew fifty-fifty stronger together with it was estimated that past times the terminate of the season, he was receiving upwards to 3,000 fan letters per week.
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Photo From: Mondial, novel series, number 49, Apr 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff mobbed past times Bayern Munich fans) |
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Jan february 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff together with immature fans inwards Munich) |
The highlight of the early on parts of the flavor would live inwards the UEFA Cup, inwards a tally vs. Greece’s PAOK, he helped Bayern qualify inwards a penalization kicking shoot-out. He saved PAOK’s ninth! endeavor together with scored himself amongst the ensuing kicking to assist Bayern advance.
However, reports also surfaced that Pfaff felt he was mutual depression temperature shouldered past times senior Bayern players such as Klaus Aughentaler together with Wolfgang Dremmler.
In an article he was alleged to have got criticized his teammates past times describing them as arrogant together with overpaid.
In some other incident, Pfaff was celebrating his 30th Birthday inwards a Munich Restaurant inwards Munich amongst his teammates. However, the players were dismayed i time they realized he had also invited reporters farther underlining his reputation as a self-promoter.
The familiar atmosphere of Beveren was inwards contrast to the mutual depression temperature reality of a club similar Bayern.
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Photo From: Mondial, novel series, number 49, Apr 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst Karl-Heinz Rummenigge ) |
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Jan february 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst a marching band) |
It was alone his first-class performances on the pitch that maybe went a long agency inwards mending his human relationship amongst the doubters inwards the team.
Pfaff believed that the squad gradually came to sympathize together with honor him on together with off the field.
Pfaff would win his showtime trophy amongst Bayern at the terminate of that flavor after they defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach inwards a penalization kicking shoot-out after a (1-1) necktie inwards the Final of West High German Cup (DfB Pokal).
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Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, Nov Dec 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst the 1984 DfB Pokal) |
During the season, Pfaff would also earn his 40th cap vs. Poland (April 17th, 1984, 1-0 win) at Warsaw, which tied him amongst Piot as the most capped goalkeeper for Belgium. He also captained the side that day.
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Photo From: Mondial, novel series, number 49, Apr 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff working hard inwards training) |
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Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 36, June 1984 |
Belgium had qualified for the Euros inwards the Fall; however, inwards the novel twelvemonth (1984) a scandal would stone Kingdom of Belgium Football that would adversely touching the National Team. The Standard-Waterschei scandal would deprive Kingdom of Belgium of its Captain Eric Gerets together with defensive partner Walter Meeuws.
Thys would live forced to select a somewhat unprepared squad for the Euros.
Many also questioned Pfaff’s mental strength for the Finals of a Tournament after his antics during the 1982 World Cup. Thys maintained confidence inwards his number one. Thys felt that for a curt Tournament similar the Euros (15 days), Pfaff is manageable; it is for longer duration Tournaments that he became difficult.
Belgium won their showtime tally inwards the Euros vs. Yugoslavia (2-0) but days afterward at Nantes, Pfaff together with his Belgian teammates were completely destroyed (0-5) past times a French Republic squad amongst Platini at his best.
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Photo From: French Republic Football, Issue 1993, June 19, 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff, June 13, 1984, UEFA European Championships, Kingdom of Belgium 2-Yugoslavia 0) |
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Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 19, 1984 (Jean-Marie Pfaff unable to halt Alain Giresse from scoring France’s 2nd goal, June 16, 1984, UEFA European Championships, French Republic 5-Belgium 0) |
Pfaff would i time once to a greater extent than come upwards nether scrutiny for criticizing his teammates after such a display, past times Pfaff would insist that things had to live said.
They soundless had an exterior peril to qualify for the semifinals, but lost to a burgeoning Danish squad (2-3).
The Euros had been a consummate disaster for Kingdom of Belgium together with Pfaff. As the novel flavor (1984/85) rolled only about Pfaff was beset past times other problems.
He missed the start of the flavor after a hernia operation. He was also involved inwards a traffic accident involving 2 nuns (tragically i of them was killed).
At this dot Pfaff was at his lowest ebb, non alone physically but emotionally as well. The trauma of the accident was weighing heavily on him. Once i time to a greater extent than he would admit the purpose of his married adult woman Carmen who helped through this hard period. Raimond Aumann together with Jacques Munaron stepped inwards to comprehend for him at lodge together with International Level.
He also had to debate amongst the rumor of Bayern signing Harald Schumacher. To which Pfaff replied that Bayern would live spending to a greater extent than coin together with have got tilt every week.
The disappointed Pfaff at showtime asked for a transfer but Bayern’s General Manager Uli Hoeness refused his request. Pfaff trained hard together with made his agency dorsum inwards the squad inwards November. He was on manus when Bayern Munich won the League championship (and also reached the Final of the West High German Cup). In all he played 14 league matches that season.
The next flavor (1985//86) he started good together with was on manus as Kingdom of Belgium qualified for the World Cup at the expense of neighbors Holland.
He was injured inwards Nov together with had a lengthy fourth dimension off together with alone returned to activity inwards March.
In his absence Aumann together with specially Munaron at the National Team had i time once to a greater extent than ably covered for him. His seat for the World Cup was inwards uncertainty as Munaron was pushing him hard for his spot.
In the terminate Pfaff i time once to a greater extent than reclaimed his spot (playing 24 matches inwards the League) amongst first-class performances amongst Bayern together with helped the West High German lodge to a 2nd successive Bundesliga Title (in fact as double as Bayern also triumphed inwards the West High German Cup).
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Photo From: French Republic Football, Issue 2146, May 26, 1987 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst the 1986 DfB Pokal, May 3, 1986, Bayern Munich 5-Stuttgart 2) |
The World Cup inwards United Mexican States would live a memorable i for Pfaff together with Belgium.
They came out from the showtime circular without impressing much (Losing to hosts United Mexican States (1-2), defeating Republic of Iraq (2-1) together with tying Paraguay (2-2)). Pfaff had already conceded 5 goals.
It was inwards the 2nd Round that the Belgians came live to live i of the surprises of the Tournament. On June 15th, 1986, they faced the much-favored Soviet Union. They savage behind twice inwards the tally but forced a tie. The tally went into extra fourth dimension together with the Belgians took the first together with defeated the Soviets (4-3).
They were paired amongst Kingdom of Spain inwards the quarterfinals on June 22nd. Once i time to a greater extent than the tally ended inwards a necktie (1-1) inwards rule fourth dimension together with had to go to extra time. The score remained the same after overtime together with the tally went into a penalization kicking shoot-out. Pfaff came to the rescue past times saving Eloy’s endeavor (Spain’s 2nd attempt) together with assist Kingdom of Belgium advance to the semifinals.
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Photo From: Mondial, novel series, number 76, July 1986 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst East High German Referee Siegfied Kirschen, June 22, 1986, World Cup, Kingdom of Belgium 1-Spain 1) |
It was said that when Belgian King Baudouin received the squad upon their return, Pfaff had jokingly asked the King whether the Queen Fabiola (of Castilian Origin) had held it against him for saving Eloy’s penalization kick.
The semifinals were against Diego Maradona together with Argentine Republic on June 25th. This fourth dimension Kingdom of Belgium had no reply to halt Maradona at the top of his game inwards scoring twice for a (2-0) win. Pfaff would afterward limited regret that the Team felt defeated before fifty-fifty taking the champaign vs. Argentine Republic much similar the mental attitude shown before the 1980 Euro Final vs. West Germany.
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Photo From: Mondial, novel series, number 76, July 1986 (Jean-Marie Pfaff unable to halt Maradona, June 25, 1986, World Cup, Argentine Republic 2-Belgium 0) |
All that was left was the tertiary identify tally vs. French Republic on June 28th (that also went to overtime after a 2-2 necktie inwards rule time). The to a greater extent than tired Belgians were resigned together with were defeated (2-4). Nevertheless, this was Belgium’s best ever showing at a World Cup inwards no little business office cheers to Pfaff.
His performances inwards United Mexican States earned him the nickname ‘El Simpatico’.
That same twelvemonth (1986) his wax figure was unveiled at Brussels’ ‘L’Historium’ Museum.
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Photo From: Le Dictionnaire Des Diables Rouges |
The novel flavor (1986/87) did non start good as far as the National Team. Kingdom of Belgium were involved inwards the 1988 Euro qualifiers. On September 10th, 1986 at home, Kingdom of Belgium tied amongst the Republic of Republic of Ireland (2-2). Pfaff criticized teammate Frank van der Elst’s powerfulness as Libero inwards the match. Thys promptly dropped him for Belgium’s side past times side qualifier vs. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on Oct 14, 1986. Jacques Munaron stood inwards for Pfaff inwards the (6-0) win. He regained his identify afterwards for the relaxation of the season.
He would have got a ameliorate flavor inwards the daily grind of the Bundesliga. He clinched a tertiary at nowadays championship amongst Bayern Munich at the terminate of that flavor (1986/87).
In the Champions Cup, he had his best run amongst Bayern Munich that ultimately ended inwards disappointment as the much-favored Bavarians were defeated past times Portugal’s Porto (1-2) inwards the Final.
However, inwards the Semifinal Round, his performance vs. Real Madrid at the Bernabeu inwards Apr 2nd, 1987, is the materials of legends as he kept at bay the rampant Real Madrid onslaught together with limited them to a unmarried goal (1-0 Real win) together with elimination (after 4-1 win at Munich). It must live remembered that inwards those days, overturning deficits inwards European matches at Bernabeu was also business office of the Football folklore. He performed his heroics that twenty-four hr menses despite beingness bombarded amongst projectiles from Real fans. He would praise the French Referee Michel Vautrot for keeping command of the match. Part of the Real supporters hostility was due to the fact that the twenty-four hr menses before the tally Pfaff had indicated they would interruption the Bernabeu curse.
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Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 640 (Number 18), Apr 29-May 5, 1987 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst Andreas Brehme, Apr 22, 1987, Champions Cup, Real Madrid 1-Bayern Munich 0) |
Towards the terminate of that season, his competitor Harald Schumacher at Koln released his controversial autobiography inwards which he defendant many of his teammates of dope taking, etc.
Pfaff called the bulk an absolute scandal together with false. He remarked that after the ‘Battiston incident’ inwards 1982, Schumacher had been really lucky that his teammates had defended him. Instead he had written a bulk denouncing them as dope takers.
At the terminate of that season, he re-signed for 2 to a greater extent than seasons together with indicated his career was far from over together with would similar to proceed until he was past times the historic menses 40.
For his first-class performances that year, The International Federation of Football History together with Statistics (IFFHS) elected Pfaff as the World Goalkeeper of the twelvemonth 1987.
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Photo From: France Football, Issue 2188, March 15, 1988 (Jean-Marie Pfaff amongst the IFFHS goalkeeper of the twelvemonth award) |
Pfaff started his 6th together with Final flavor amongst Bayern Munich for the (1987/88) season. It would live a hard flavor for Pfaff for lodge together with country.
He would play his lastly tally for the National Team inwards this season. This was inwards Belgium’s Euro qualifier at Sofia vs. Republic of Bulgaria on September 23rd, 1987. The loss (0-2) would live detrimental for Kingdom of Belgium who would eventually miss out on qualification. This was Pfaff’s Final together with 64th cap after to a greater extent than than 11 years. All of his caps had been earned nether Guy Thys.
Michel Preud’homme would live installed as the novel Number One. Pfaff believed that he was removed as Belgium’s starting goalkeeper due to commercial reasons. He felt the novel Sponsors had forced the Management to take him. He believed without this intervention he could have got acquire the recordman of Belgian caps.
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Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman (1) (Jean-Marie Pfaff inwards his penultimate tally for Belgium, September 9, 1987, Kingdom of the Netherlands 0-Belgium 0) |
The lodge flavor was also disappointing as Werder Bremen broke Bayern’s three-season stranglehold on the Bundesliga. This was the showtime flavor nether the Management Jupp Heynckes next the divergence of Udo Latteck.
The writing was on the wall that this would live his lastly flavor as he was opened upwards to receiving offers. Manchester United had approached Bayern, but the fee was laid likewise high. This was done without Pfaff’s cognition together with dismay.
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Photo From: Onze, Issue 136, Apr 1987 (Jean-Marie Pfaff together with family) |
He believed all initial contact should go through his married adult woman Carmen. He urged other clubs non to brand the same error as Manchester United together with contact him first.
During the flavor Pfaff i time to a greater extent than fuelled tilt past times requesting his lodge to postpone his trainings on Sundays thus that he devout Catholic could attend Mass.
His Sister also passed away inwards the bound of 1988 to farther chemical compound on a negative season.
Bayern Management decided to give Raimond Aumann his long awaited peril as the Number One for the upcoming season.
They wanted to start a novel wheel amongst novel younger players together with Pfaff was on his agency out.
Now inwards the declining phase of his career he decided to render abode together with joined modest side SK Lierse for the (1988/89) flavor to current of air downwards his career.
The Team finished inwards mid-table together with at the terminate of the flavor Pfaff packed his bags i time to a greater extent than to go out the country.
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Photo From: World Soccer, Dec 1987 |
He followed the lawsuit of his nemesis Harald Schumacher together with joined the Turkish League past times signing for Trabzonspor for the (1989/90) season.
The fact that his onetime mentor Urbain Braems was the Manager in that location for certain helped his decision.
He tried to instill some of the traits he had learned inwards West Deutschland to assist the squad live to a greater extent than Professional together with modern.
This would plow out to live his terminal flavor as a Professional. He managed to reach the Turkish Cup Final amongst his lodge but they lost inwards the Final to Besiktas (0-2).
Pfaff retired at the terminate of that flavor after nearly 2 decades as a Professional.
He organized his Farewell Match at Beerschot inwards 1991. It was a match-up of the Kingdom of Belgium squad of the 1980s vs. a World XI Selection that included the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Alain Giresse, Ruud Krol, Michel Platini, Soren Lerby together with Roger Milla amid others.
After his career he had stints as a Goalkeeping Coach at KFC Herentals together with VfB Stuttgart. His alone Head Managerial post was a lone flavor at KV Osstende during the (1998/99) flavor that ended inwards disappointment. Clearly he was non made for Management.
The ever entertainer he reveled inwards the novel involvement inwards Reality Television together with starred inwards a Reality Show featuring his entire theatre unit of measurement (wife, 3 daughters together with their respective families). The demonstrate called ‘De Pfaffs’ was successful together with ran for 11 seasons from 2002 to 2011 together with also made celebrities out of his 3 daughters: Debby, Kelly together with Lyndsey.
Jean-Marie Pfaff e'er remained amiable together with loved past times Earth but non e'er amongst the critics, players together with Management.
He e'er remembered his hard childhood together with knew the value of hard go after having worked inwards a milk factory, the Post Office together with fifty-fifty a Bank.
He felt i should remain a friendly someone fifty-fifty after they have got achieved success.
Those who knew him believed he would assist anyone inwards need.
His spell at Bayern had made him fifty-fifty to a greater extent than ‘Professional’ according to him. It had changed his mental attitude off the champaign inwards non alone inwards matters concerning grooming but also Contracts, Sponsorships, etc.
Of course of study it was this aspect that was largely viewed amongst skepticism past times the media who alone saw him as a publicity hound. Pfaff believed he was largely misunderstood specially from the Flemish Press.
This was exemplified when he was elected as IFFHS’s World Goalkeeper of the twelvemonth inwards 1987; he alone received 2 votes from swain Belgians.
He had boasted that ‘there was Eddy Merckx inwards Bicycling, at nowadays in that location is Pfaff inwards Football’.
While the critics found him arrogant, he felt his charisma had been vital inwards making Belgian goalkeepers noticeable inwards the International Arena together with others such as Michel Preud’homme had benefited from his hard work.
He was a ferocious trainer together with his go ethic could never live questioned. He was a perfectionist whose ambition guided him to heights he never could have got imagined.
The indelible picture that defines Pfaff was inwards a Bayern tally that was played nether pouring rain. At i dot he went over to the stands together with grabbed an umbrella from i of the fans together with sat on a chair behind the goal.
Pfaff believed that the Public paid a lot of coin together with his purpose is to entertain yet remain Professional.
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Photo From: Onze, Issue 136, Apr 1987 |
References:
Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979
Mirroir du Football, Jan 24, 1979
Onze, Issue 40, Apr 1979
World Soccer, Apr 1981
Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982
EL GRAFICO Nº 3273 (1982)
Fussball Magazin, Issue 2, March Apr 1983
Foot Magazine, Issue 22, March 1983
Fussball Magazin, Jan february 1984
Mondial, novel series, number 49, Apr 1984
Foot Magazine, Issue 36, June 1984
Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, Nov Dec 1984
Mondial, Hors Serie 3, 1986
World Soccer, Feb 1986
Onze, Issue 136, Apr 1987
France Football, Issue 2146, May 26, 1987
France Football, Issue 2188, March 15, 1988
Onze-Mondial, Issue 93, Oct 1996
Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen, 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman
Le Dictionnaire Des Diables Rouges