Reinhold Fanz
Encyclopedia
Reinhold Fanz is a German
former professional footballer and formerly manager of the Cuba national football team
.
, playing in the third tier. In 1974, he joined VfR Heilbronn in the newly formed 2. Bundesliga South. The team's stay in this new division only lasted a single season though and, upon their relegation in 1975, Fanz left for 2. Bundesliga South club Wuppertaler SV. Here, he spent two seasons challenging for the promotion, but falling short (in fifth and third place, respectively).
Although Wuppertaler SV wouldn't make the top flight, Fanz would as he was signed by Fortuna Düsseldorf
in 1977. Fanz played his part as the team managed a top five finish in his first season, but his main achievement here was winning the 1979 DFB Cup
as they defeated Hertha BSC Berlin
1–0.
However, he was not offered a new contract after this, and he found a new club in Freiburger FC
of the 2. Bundesliga South in November 1979. After a six month spell at this level, he returned to the Bundesliga
with newly-promoted Karlsruher SC
. Fanz was a virtual ever-present in his debut year here as they consolidated in tenth place, and he remained first choice for the start of the following season. Disaster struck though just four games in, as he broke his fibula bone against Arminia Bielefeld
.
This injury effectively ending his professional playing career, as he was unable to play another game for Karlsruher SC
and eventually quit the club in 1983. He did manage to play a part in the 1983–84 season though for his former club SV Sandhausen
in the Oberliga
.
. After three seasons at the lower league club, he took up a position with the Hessen Football Association (HFV). He was in charge of the Hessen amateur/under-21 side at the DFB Amateur Cup. Fanz led the side to victory in 1992 and to the runners-up spot in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995.
In Summer 1996, he took charge of Hannover 96
, then of the Regionalliga North. He won this division at the first attempt, but the club failed to be promoted after losing a playoff (1–3 on aggregate) with the North-East division winners Energie Cottbus
. The 1997–98 season saw Fanz and the club again dominate the division, scoring over 100 goals once more and topping the table. This time though they went a vital step further, as they won the promotion playoff against Tennis Borussia Berlin
on penalties.
Fanz would not complete another season at Hannover 96
though, as he left at the halfway stage of their 2. Bundesliga
campaign to join relegation-threatened Bundesliga
team Eintracht Frankfurt
on 21 December 1998. This move would prove much less successful for the coach as he was unable to turn things around, and managed just one win in nine games before being sacked on 19 April 1999.
After this disaster, he dropped back down the league for a new post with Eintracht Braunschweig
of the Regionalliga in July 1999. The team had been on the verge of promotion for several years by this point, but Fanz was not the man to bring it, as he could only manage a third place at best in his first season. The underwhelming eighth place of the following season saw him fired at the season's close in May 2001.
Fanz took up a role in October 2001 as coach of VfB Stuttgart II
, the amateur ranks of the Bundesliga
side. He lasted only eight Regionalliga South games though, before club manager Rolf Rüssmann
had a change of heart and relieved him of his duties. However, he was re-appointed to this position in June 2003 by coach Felix Magath
, and he took the team to an 11th place finish in the Regionalliga South. Magath's departure in the close season though, also spelled the end for Fanz at the club.
His next appointment was undoubtedly the most bizarre of his career. Fanz was hired during the winter break by his former club, 2. Bundesliga strugglers Karlsruher SC
on 28 December 2004. However, the club's main sponsor Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW)
let it be known that they did not approve of his hiring and threatened to withdraw their sponsorship.
This conflict was created by the fact that the sponsor's head was Utz Claassen, who had clashed with Fanz when he had been president of Hannover 96
while Fanz was coach. After Claassen had fired club manager Franz Gerber
, Fanz gave a newspaper interview claiming Claassen lacked any understanding of football. This led to Claassen suing Fanz, which resulted in Fanz being prohibited from commenting on Claassen ever again. Both the fans and the club reacted negatively toward Claassen's actions and he was forced from office during the 1997–98 season. With the threat of removed sponsorship hanging over them, Karlsruher SC
backed down and terminated Fanz's employment on 4 January 2005. Fanz had yet to manage the team in a single game.
After this fractious experience, Fanz found a more welcoming club in Bonner SC
of the Oberliga
for the 2004–05 season, signing a four year contract. His first season here saw them finish as runners-up in the Oberliga Nordrhein, narrowing missing out on promotion to the Regionalliga. The next season started frustratingly though, as players salaries went unpaid, and the squad began to disintegrate. As the team slid into midtable, Fanz quit on the eve of their ninth game of the season, against Union Solingen.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
former professional footballer and formerly manager of the Cuba national football team
Cuba national football team
The Cuba national football team is the national team of Cuba and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba. They are affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF....
.
Playing career
Fanz began his playing career at Amicitia Viernheim, before moving onto SV SandhausenSV Sandhausen
SV Sandhausen is a German association football club that plays in Sandhausen, immediately to the south of Heidelberg in Baden-Württemberg.-History:...
, playing in the third tier. In 1974, he joined VfR Heilbronn in the newly formed 2. Bundesliga South. The team's stay in this new division only lasted a single season though and, upon their relegation in 1975, Fanz left for 2. Bundesliga South club Wuppertaler SV. Here, he spent two seasons challenging for the promotion, but falling short (in fifth and third place, respectively).
Although Wuppertaler SV wouldn't make the top flight, Fanz would as he was signed by Fortuna Düsseldorf
Fortuna Düsseldorf
' is a German association football club based in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, currently playing in the second tier of German league football, the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga...
in 1977. Fanz played his part as the team managed a top five finish in his first season, but his main achievement here was winning the 1979 DFB Cup
DFB-Pokal
The 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...
as they defeated Hertha BSC Berlin
Hertha BSC Berlin
Hertha Berliner Sport-Club von 1892, commonly known as Hertha BSC or Hertha Berlin, is a German association football club based in Berlin. A founding member of the German Football Association in Leipzig in 1900, the club has a long history as Berlin's best-supported side...
1–0.
However, he was not offered a new contract after this, and he found a new club in Freiburger FC
Freiburger FC
Freiburger FC is a German association football club based in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg. Freiburger FC was a founding Clubs of the DFB in 1900.-History:...
of the 2. Bundesliga South in November 1979. After a six month spell at this level, he returned to the 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...
with newly-promoted Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
. Fanz was a virtual ever-present in his debut year here as they consolidated in tenth place, and he remained first choice for the start of the following season. Disaster struck though just four games in, as he broke his fibula bone against Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
.
This injury effectively ending his professional playing career, as he was unable to play another game for Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
and eventually quit the club in 1983. He did manage to play a part in the 1983–84 season though for his former club SV Sandhausen
SV Sandhausen
SV Sandhausen is a German association football club that plays in Sandhausen, immediately to the south of Heidelberg in Baden-Württemberg.-History:...
in the Oberliga
Oberliga (football)
The Oberliga is currently the name of the fifth tier of the German football leagues. Before the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier...
.
Management career
After his retirement, Fanz entered coaching in 1985 at FV 09 WeinheimFV 09 Weinheim
FV Weinheim was a German association football club from the city of Weinheim, Baden-Württemberg. Established in 1909, the team was active until declaring bankruptcy in 1997. The footballers of FV left to become part of TSG Weinheim with the combined side still active as of 2011, playing as TSG...
. After three seasons at the lower league club, he took up a position with the Hessen Football Association (HFV). He was in charge of the Hessen amateur/under-21 side at the DFB Amateur Cup. Fanz led the side to victory in 1992 and to the runners-up spot in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995.
In Summer 1996, he took charge of Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
, then of the Regionalliga North. He won this division at the first attempt, but the club failed to be promoted after losing a playoff (1–3 on aggregate) with the North-East division winners Energie Cottbus
Energie Cottbus
FC Energie Cottbus is a German association football club based in Cottbus, Lusatia . It was founded in 1963 as SC Cottbus in what was, at the time, East Germany...
. The 1997–98 season saw Fanz and the club again dominate the division, scoring over 100 goals once more and topping the table. This time though they went a vital step further, as they won the promotion playoff against Tennis Borussia Berlin
Tennis Borussia Berlin
Tennis Borussia Berlin is a German football club based in Berlin-Westend.- History :The team was founded in 1902 and takes its name from its origins as a tennis and ping-pong club. "Borussia" is a Latinised version of Prussia. In 1903 the club took up football and quickly developed a rivalry with...
on penalties.
Fanz would not complete another season at Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
though, as he left at the halfway stage of their 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
campaign to join relegation-threatened 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...
team Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
on 21 December 1998. This move would prove much less successful for the coach as he was unable to turn things around, and managed just one win in nine games before being sacked on 19 April 1999.
After this disaster, he dropped back down the league for a new post with Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig is a German association football club based in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. The club was one of the founding members of the Bundesliga in 1963 and won the national title in 1967.-History:...
of the Regionalliga in July 1999. The team had been on the verge of promotion for several years by this point, but Fanz was not the man to bring it, as he could only manage a third place at best in his first season. The underwhelming eighth place of the following season saw him fired at the season's close in May 2001.
Fanz took up a role in October 2001 as coach of VfB Stuttgart II
VfB Stuttgart II
VfB Stuttgart II is a German football team located in Stuttgart, currently playing in the 3rd Liga. Their first team, VfB Stuttgart, won the Bundesliga league title in 2007.- Relationship with VfB Stuttgart :...
, the amateur ranks of the 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...
side. He lasted only eight Regionalliga South games though, before club manager Rolf Rüssmann
Rolf Rüssmann
Rolf Rüssmann was a German international footballer who played as a defender for FC Schalke 04, Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund.-Player bio:...
had a change of heart and relieved him of his duties. However, he was re-appointed to this position in June 2003 by coach Felix Magath
Felix Magath
Wolfgang-Felix Magath is a former German football central midfielder and current manager of VfL Wolfsburg.-Playing career:...
, and he took the team to an 11th place finish in the Regionalliga South. Magath's departure in the close season though, also spelled the end for Fanz at the club.
His next appointment was undoubtedly the most bizarre of his career. Fanz was hired during the winter break by his former club, 2. Bundesliga strugglers Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
on 28 December 2004. However, the club's main sponsor Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW)
EnBW
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, or simply EnBW, is a publicly traded electric utilities company headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany.-History:...
let it be known that they did not approve of his hiring and threatened to withdraw their sponsorship.
This conflict was created by the fact that the sponsor's head was Utz Claassen, who had clashed with Fanz when he had been president of Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
while Fanz was coach. After Claassen had fired club manager Franz Gerber
Franz Gerber
Franz Gerber is a German former professional footballer who is currently general manager of SSV Jahn Regensburg.-Playing career:...
, Fanz gave a newspaper interview claiming Claassen lacked any understanding of football. This led to Claassen suing Fanz, which resulted in Fanz being prohibited from commenting on Claassen ever again. Both the fans and the club reacted negatively toward Claassen's actions and he was forced from office during the 1997–98 season. With the threat of removed sponsorship hanging over them, Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
backed down and terminated Fanz's employment on 4 January 2005. Fanz had yet to manage the team in a single game.
After this fractious experience, Fanz found a more welcoming club in Bonner SC
Bonner SC
Bonner SC is a German association football club based in Bonn. The club was formed in 1965 through the merger of Bonner FV and Tura Bonn.-History:...
of the Oberliga
Oberliga (football)
The Oberliga is currently the name of the fifth tier of the German football leagues. Before the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier...
for the 2004–05 season, signing a four year contract. His first season here saw them finish as runners-up in the Oberliga Nordrhein, narrowing missing out on promotion to the Regionalliga. The next season started frustratingly though, as players salaries went unpaid, and the squad began to disintegrate. As the team slid into midtable, Fanz quit on the eve of their ninth game of the season, against Union Solingen.
External links
- Reinhold Fanz at eintracht-archiv.de