Vogts honors Netzer: Like Beckenbauer and Walter

For former national coach Berti Vogts, Günter Netzer is one of the greatest in German football. “When he had the ball, he was one of the best footballers Germany has ever seen. “For me, he is on a par with Franz Beckenbauer and Fritz Walter,” wrote Vogts in a guest article for the “Rheinische Post” (Friday). This Saturday, the former football aesthete Netzer turns 80.

Vogts, who won the European Championship with the DFB team in 1996, was very sorry that Netzer did not become a coach. “He could have given a lot more to football. But he said: ‘Then I’ll end up with someone like me – no thanks!’ That is the self-irony that he later also displayed as a pundit on television,” wrote Vogts.

Vogts became the record player at Borussia Mönchengladbach with 538 appearances. But he also sees Netzer as the ultimate player at the Fohlen: “He made Borussia Mönchengladbach what it is, he is rightly THE legend of the club.” The two have been friends for over 60 years. “He can rely on me, and I know that I can rely on Günter.” The tall guy is a real great, as a footballer and as a person.”