Horst Hrubesch Biography: The Life and Career of a German Football Legend
Horst Hrubesch is a prominent figure in German football, having made a significant impact both as a player and a coach. He was born on April 17, 1951, in Hamm, Germany, and started his professional football career in 1975 as a striker for Rot-Weiss Essen. Hrubesch achieved significant success during his playing career, securing three West German championships with his club, Hamburger SV, and clinching the European Cup title in 1983.
Hrubesch’s international career was also impressive, as he represented West Germany in 21 matches and scored six goals. He played a crucial role in the team’s victory in the 1980 UEFA European Championship, scoring the winning goal in the final against Belgium. After retiring from playing football, Hrubesch started his coaching career with Rot-Weiss Essen and has since coached several clubs, including Hamburger SV, VfL Wolfsburg, and FC St. Pauli.
Hrubesch’s legacy in German football is undeniable, and he is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful players and coaches. He has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz, Germany’s highest civilian honor, in 2016. In this article, we will take a closer look at Horst Hrubesch’s life and career, from his early years to his current role as the manager of the Germany women’s national team.
Key Takeaways
- Horst Hrubesch is a former German football player and coach who achieved significant success during his career.
- He won three West German championships with Hamburger SV and played a crucial role in West Germany’s victory in the 1980 UEFA European Championship.
- Hrubesch has coached several clubs and is currently the manager of the Germany women’s national team. He has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz in 2016.
Early Life
Horst Hrubesch was born on April 17, 1951, in Hamm, Germany. He grew up playing football with his friends and joined the local club, SVF Herringen, at a young age. Hrubesch’s talent was quickly recognized, and he was soon playing for the club’s first team.
At the age of 24, Hrubesch signed with Rot-Weiss Essen, a German football club. He played for the club for four seasons, before moving on to Hamburger SV in 1978. Hrubesch’s career took off at Hamburg, where he spent the next eight seasons and won numerous titles, including the Bundesliga, the European Cup, and the UEFA Cup.
Hrubesch’s success on the pitch continued, and he became a regular member of the West German national team. He played in the 1980 and 1984 European Championships, as well as the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. In total, Hrubesch scored 6 goals in 21 appearances for his country.
Despite his success as a player, Hrubesch always had an interest in coaching. After retiring from playing in 1988, he began his coaching career at Rot-Weiss Essen. Hrubesch went on to coach at several other German clubs, including VfL Wolfsburg and Hansa Rostock, before taking on the role of head coach for the German women’s national team in 2016.
Professional Football Career
Horst Hrubesch had a successful professional football career, playing for several clubs throughout his career. Here are some of the clubs he played for:
Hamburger SV
Hrubesch played for Hamburger SV from 1978 to 1983, where he won three West German championships and the European Cup title in 1983. He was a key member of the team that won the European Cup, scoring the only goal in the final against Juventus.
Borussia Dortmund
After leaving Hamburger SV, Hrubesch played for Borussia Dortmund from 1983 to 1984. He helped the team reach the final of the DFB-Pokal in 1984, but they lost to Bayern Munich.
Standard Liège
Hrubesch played for Standard Liège in Belgium from 1984 to 1985. He helped the team win the Belgian Cup in 1985.
Hrubesch also played for the West Germany national team, scoring 6 goals in 21 appearances. He was part of the team that won the European Championship in 1980 and reached the final of the World Cup in 1982.
After retiring from playing, Hrubesch went into coaching, managing several clubs including Hamburger SV and the Germany women’s national team.
International Career
Horst Hrubesch had a successful international career, representing Germany in the European Championships and the World Cup.
European Championships
Hrubesch played in two European Championships, in 1980 and 1984. In the 1980 tournament, he scored two goals, including the winner in the final against Belgium. Four years later, he scored three goals in the tournament, helping Germany to reach the semi-finals.
World Cup
Hrubesch was also a key player for Germany in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. In the 1982 tournament, he scored three goals, including the winner in the semi-final against France. However, Germany lost the final to Italy. In the 1986 tournament, Hrubesch scored two goals, but Germany were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Mexico.
Throughout his international career, Hrubesch was known for his aerial ability and physical presence, as well as his clinical finishing. He scored a total of 6 goals in 21 appearances for the German national team.
Coaching Career
Horst Hrubesch started his coaching career with Rot-Weiss Essen in 1986 before moving to VfL Wolfsburg in 1988. He then returned to Hamburg and coached the Hamburger SV U19 team from 1990 to 1995.
Germany U-19
Hrubesch became the coach of the Germany U-19 team in 1996 and led them to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship title in 2000. He also reached the final of the tournament in 2002 and 2003.
Germany U-21
Hrubesch then became the coach of the Germany U-21 team in 2004. He led them to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship title in 2009, defeating England in the final. He also reached the final of the tournament in 2013, but lost to Spain.
Hamburger SV
Hrubesch returned to Hamburger SV in 2013 as the head of the club’s youth academy. In 2018, he took over as the interim coach of the first team for the final five games of the Bundesliga season. He was unable to save the team from relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.
In 2020, Hrubesch was appointed as the Director of Development for Hamburger SV.
Legacy
Horst Hrubesch’s legacy in football is undeniable. As a player, he won three West German championships with Hamburger SV and was a key player in their European Cup victory in 1983. He also scored the winning goal for West Germany in the 1980 UEFA European Championship final, earning him the nickname “Header Monster” for his remarkable aerial ability.
After retiring as a player, Hrubesch went on to have a successful coaching career. He started as a youth coach at Hamburger SV before moving on to manage several other clubs, including VfL Wolfsburg and Hansa Rostock. He also had a stint as the head coach of the German men’s national team, leading them to a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
However, Hrubesch’s greatest legacy may be his work with the German women’s national team. He took over as interim head coach in 2018 and led the team to victory in the 2018 SheBelieves Cup. He was then appointed as the permanent head coach and led the team to the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Hrubesch’s success with the German women’s team has been attributed to his ability to create a positive team culture and his focus on developing players’ technical skills. He has also been praised for his willingness to give young players a chance and his ability to make tactical adjustments during games.
Overall, Horst Hrubesch’s legacy in football is one of success both as a player and a coach. His achievements on the field and his impact on the development of young players have cemented his place as one of the greats of German football.
Personal Life
Horst Hrubesch was born on April 17, 1951, in Hamm, Germany. He is married to Angelika Hrubesch, and they have children together. However, there is no information available about his children.
In his personal life, Horst Hrubesch is known for his love of fishing. He has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys spending time on the water. In addition to fishing, he is also an avid hunter and enjoys spending time in nature.
Horst Hrubesch is a private person and does not share much about his personal life in public. He prefers to keep his personal life separate from his professional life and does not like to mix the two.
Overall, Horst Hrubesch’s personal life is relatively unknown to the public. He is a private person who values his time with his family and enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting.
Honors and Awards
Throughout his career, Horst Hrubesch has received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to football. Here are some of the most notable ones:
- In 1979, 1982, and 1983, Hrubesch won the Bundesliga three times with Hamburger SV.
- In 1983, he helped Hamburger SV win the European Cup in a 1-0 victory over Juventus of Turin.
- Hrubesch played a pivotal role in the West German national team’s journey to the final of the 1982 World Cup, where they ultimately fell to Italy.
- West Germany’s match-winning hero in the UEFA Euro 1980 Final in Rome against Belgium, Hrubesch scored two goals, the second a trademark bullet header, in the 89th minute.
- In 2016, Hrubesch was distinguished as an Ehrenpreisträger (Honorary Award Recipient) by the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga.
Hrubesch’s achievements on the football field have earned him a place in the pantheon of German footballers. His prowess as a striker, particularly his ability to score with his head, earned him the nickname “Header Monster.” Today, he is considered one of the greatest players to have ever played for Hamburger SV and the West German national team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Horst Hrubesch?
Horst Hrubesch is a former German professional football player and current manager of the Germany women’s national team. He was born on April 17, 1951, in Hamm, Germany.
What are some of Horst Hrubesch’s notable achievements?
As a player, Hrubesch won three West German championships with Hamburger SV, as well as the European Cup title in 1983. He was also a key member of the West Germany team that made it to the final of the 1982 World Cup and won the 1980 European Championship. As a coach, he led the Germany U21 team to victory in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
What is the early life of Horst Hrubesch?
Hrubesch started his professional football journey relatively late when he signed with Rot-Weiss Essen at the age of 24. However, his talent quickly shone through, catching the attention of Hamburger SV (HSV) in 1978.
What is the current occupation of Horst Hrubesch?
Hrubesch is currently managing the Germany women’s national team.
What is the net worth of Horst Hrubesch?
There is no accurate information available about Horst Hrubesch’s net worth.
What are some interesting facts about Horst Hrubesch?
- Hrubesch is known for his aerial ability and was nicknamed “Das Kopfball-Ungeheuer” (The Header Monster) in Germany.
- He scored the winning goal in the 1983 European Cup final against Juventus.
- Hrubesch was inducted into the HSV Hall of Fame in 2018.