I had served in the war and was captured near Danzig. I do not like to talk about that time, though it probably shaped me more than any other. Football kept me afloat.\n\nAfter returning home in 1945, Franz Kremer persuaded me to play for my old club in Köln-Klettenberg.
He was the new chairman, and I was ready to help. Later, after training courses under Sepp Herberger and various coaching experiences, I found my way to Mönchengladbach on April 27, 1964. Sepp Herberger had recommended me again.\n\nI arrived with ideas, with bitterness, and with a deep desire to build something of my own. Günter Netzer was already signed; Jupp Heynckes and Bernd Rupp came for 1964/65, Berti Vogts after promotion had been secured.
The rest is history: we became the number one club in the Rhineland and in 1969/70 the champions of Germany.