Rainer Bonhof
Encyclopedia
Rainer Bonhof is a former German footballer. He was a defensive midfielder or wing-back.
, was part of the highly successful Borussia Mönchengladbach
side of the 1970s winning numerous Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Cup titles. He was widely recognized for having one of the game's hardest free-kicks as well as long and precise throw-ins. Former Liverpool
goalkeeper, Ray Clemence
, in 1977 following a European Cup
tie between the Reds and Borussia Mönchengladbach, admitted he feared Bonhof's shots and apparently with good reason. During the spring of 1978 Clemence was beaten twice by Bonhof from nearly identical locations at the club and international level respectively. Bonhof was awarded the ARD Goal of the Month on three occasions, twice for free-kicks and once for a 30 metre strike.
Bonhof became (at that time) Germany
's youngest World Champion on 7 July 1974 following his team's 2–1 win over the Netherlands
in Munich's Olympiastadion at the 1974 FIFA World Cup
. Bonhof assisted Gerd Müller
's winning goal. He was a fixture in the West German national team from the World Cup onward. He was one of the best players in the 1976 European Championship, assisting four of the six West German goals in the semi-final and final. He played in every match of the 1978 FIFA World Cup
when West Germany was eliminated in the second round following a 2–3 defeat at the hands of their historic rivals Austria
. He continued to play an important role in the national team following his transfer to Valencia. His move and that of Uli Stielike
prompted the DFB to remove their ban on selecting foreign based players for the national team. He played a role in qualifying for the 1980 European Championships and was selected for the squad but injuries kept him from making an appearance during the West German victory. His last appearance for the national team came in a 1–4 defeat at the hands of Brazil, and in spite of a strong Bundesliga
campaign for 1. FC Köln in 1981–82 he was not selected to return to the national team.
His playing career was abruptly ended by an ankle joint injury in 1983.
responsibilities after they finished last in their European U21 Championship Qualifying group, after 14 games and no victories.
On 1 September 2006, Bonhof signed a contract with recent FA Premier League
winners Chelsea
to become their scout for the scopes of Germany and Austria. The contract was a rolling deal, allowing either Chelsea and Bonhof to break it up any time. The deal between Chelsea F.C. and Bonhof ended because of the club's high debts. Bonhof left London on 31 October 2008.
On 11 February 2009, he was named as the new vice president of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Playing career
Bonhof, a midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, was part of the highly successful Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
side of the 1970s winning numerous Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Cup titles. He was widely recognized for having one of the game's hardest free-kicks as well as long and precise throw-ins. Former Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
goalkeeper, Ray Clemence
Ray Clemence
Raymond Neal "Ray" Clemence, MBE is one of English and European football's most decorated goalkeepers ever and was part of the Liverpool team of the 1970s.-Scunthorpe United:...
, in 1977 following a European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
tie between the Reds and Borussia Mönchengladbach, admitted he feared Bonhof's shots and apparently with good reason. During the spring of 1978 Clemence was beaten twice by Bonhof from nearly identical locations at the club and international level respectively. Bonhof was awarded the ARD Goal of the Month on three occasions, twice for free-kicks and once for a 30 metre strike.
Bonhof became (at that time) Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
's youngest World Champion on 7 July 1974 following his team's 2–1 win over the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in Munich's Olympiastadion at the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
. Bonhof assisted Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the...
's winning goal. He was a fixture in the West German national team from the World Cup onward. He was one of the best players in the 1976 European Championship, assisting four of the six West German goals in the semi-final and final. He played in every match of the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
when West Germany was eliminated in the second round following a 2–3 defeat at the hands of their historic rivals Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. He continued to play an important role in the national team following his transfer to Valencia. His move and that of Uli Stielike
Uli Stielike
Ulrich "Uli" Stielike is a German football manager and former player.-Club career:Stielike was a West Germany youth international for hometown club SpVgg Ketsch when he got signed by UEFA Cup runner-up Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1973, first coming to action as a full back for the then two times...
prompted the DFB to remove their ban on selecting foreign based players for the national team. He played a role in qualifying for the 1980 European Championships and was selected for the squad but injuries kept him from making an appearance during the West German victory. His last appearance for the national team came in a 1–4 defeat at the hands of Brazil, and in spite of a strong Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
campaign for 1. FC Köln in 1981–82 he was not selected to return to the national team.
His playing career was abruptly ended by an ankle joint injury in 1983.
After playing
Bonhof went on to coach. He received his formal license in 1988, and has coached several teams, resigning a year early from his Scotland U21Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
responsibilities after they finished last in their European U21 Championship Qualifying group, after 14 games and no victories.
On 1 September 2006, Bonhof signed a contract with recent FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
winners Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
to become their scout for the scopes of Germany and Austria. The contract was a rolling deal, allowing either Chelsea and Bonhof to break it up any time. The deal between Chelsea F.C. and Bonhof ended because of the club's high debts. Bonhof left London on 31 October 2008.
On 11 February 2009, he was named as the new vice president of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
German national team
- 1972: Debut (26 May in 4–1 win over Soviet UnionUSSR national football teamThe Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
at Munich, sub for Horst Höttges at halftime) - 1972: European Championship winner (was called for squad, but never played)
- 1974: First goal (30 June in 4–2 win over Sweden at Düsseldorf), World Cup winner
- 1976: European Championship runner-up and named to tournament Best XI
- 1980: European Championships winner (was called for squad, but was injured)
- 1981: Last match (7 January in 1–4 defeat by BrazilBrazil national football teamThe Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
at MontevideoMontevideoMontevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
)
VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach
- 1971: BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
winner - 1973: DFB-PokalDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
winner, UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
runner-up - 1975: Bundesliga winner, UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
winner - 1976: Bundesliga winner
- 1977: Bundesliga winner, UEFA Champions CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
runner-up
Valencia CF
- 1979: Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
winner - 1980: UEFA Cup Winners Cup winner
- 1980: UEFA Super Cup winner