Wise Words — Gladbach

“We’re on top now and we’re going to

“We’re on top now and we’re going to cling on there.

cling on there. Let the others try to take this world-class team away from us.” (Hans Meyer)

“Offside is when that long asshole plays the

“Offside is when that long asshole plays the ball too late.” (Hennes Weisweiler explaining the offside rule — and “that long asshole,” of course, mean...

ball too late.” (Hennes Weisweiler explaining the offside rule — and “that long asshole,” of course, meant Günter Netzer.)

“I thought about it very carefully and then

“I thought about it very carefully and then said yes spontaneously.” (Toni Polster on his move to Borussia Mönchengladbach)...

said yes spontaneously.” (Toni Polster on his move to Borussia Mönchengladbach)

“Thanks for the congratulations on our promotion project.

You’ll still be furious if we really pull it off, because then nobody will watch your show anymore.” (Hans Meyer to a DSF reporter before Gladbach’s return to the Bundesliga in 2001)

“If you need a trainer for five matches

“If you need a trainer for five matches again, give me a call.” (Hans Meyer to Franz Beckenbauer after the final day of 2008/09, when Bayern had broug...

again, give me a call.” (Hans Meyer to Franz Beckenbauer after the final day of 2008/09, when Bayern had brought former Gladbach man Jupp Heynckes back as interim coach for five matches.)

“Bernhard Langer once said elite sport happens between

“Bernhard Langer once said elite sport happens between the ears.” (Gladbach coach Rainer Bonhof on his team’s weak nerves)...

the ears.” (Gladbach coach Rainer Bonhof on his team’s weak nerves)

“If you keep playing like that, you’ll be

“If you keep playing like that, you’ll be champions at the end.” (Schalke’s Olaf Thon after a 3:0 defeat in Gladbach on the opening day of 1988/89.

champions at the end.” (Schalke’s Olaf Thon after a 3:0 defeat in Gladbach on the opening day of 1988/89. They were not: Borussia were relegated for the first time.)

“Goalkeeper Jörg Stiel said I was his best

“Goalkeeper Jörg Stiel said I was his best coach.

coach. Later I found out he had only had two.” (Hans Meyer)

“When Konopka annoyed me too much, Berti would

“When Konopka annoyed me too much, Berti would come over the halfway line and avenge me.

come over the halfway line and avenge me. That went against my pacifist principles, but deep down I felt a certain satisfaction.” (Ewald Lienen on old Gladbach–Köln derbies)

“If I keep picking Martin Schneider, people will

“If I keep picking Martin Schneider, people will start thinking I’m gay.” (Friedel Rausch, 1998/99)...

start thinking I’m gay.” (Friedel Rausch, 1998/99)