Horst Szymaniak Biography: Life and Career of the German Footballer
Horst Szymaniak, also known as “Schimmi,” was a German footballer born on August 29, 1934, in Oer-Erkenschwick. He was considered one of the most outstanding European midfielders of his time. Szymaniak played as a left-half, mostly known for his ability to play as a midfielder or half-striker.
Szymaniak played for various clubs, including SpVgg Erkenschwick, Wuppertaler SV, Karlsruher SC, Calcio Catania, F.C. Internazionale Milano, A.S. Varese 1910, and Tasmania 1900 Berlin. He played for Tasmania 1900 Berlin during the 1965-66 season, which was the team’s only season in the Bundesliga. Szymaniak also represented Germany in two FIFA World Cup tournaments. He passed away on October 9, 2009, in Melle, Germany.
Key Takeaways
- Horst Szymaniak was a German footballer born on August 29, 1934, in Oer-Erkenschwick, and was considered one of the most outstanding European midfielders of his time.
- Szymaniak played for various clubs, including Tasmania 1900 Berlin, where he played during the team’s only season in the Bundesliga, and represented Germany in two FIFA World Cup tournaments.
- Szymaniak passed away on October 9, 2009, in Melle, Germany.
Early Life
Horst Szymaniak was born on August 29, 1934, in Erkenschwick, Germany. He grew up in a working-class family and began playing football at a young age. Szymaniak’s father was a miner, and the family struggled financially during his childhood.
Despite the financial difficulties, Szymaniak’s talent on the football field was evident from a young age. He began playing for local youth teams and quickly gained a reputation as a talented midfielder.
Szymaniak’s professional career began in 1953 when he joined Schalke 04, one of the top football clubs in Germany at the time. He quickly became a key player for the team and helped Schalke 04 win the German Cup in 1958.
Throughout his career, Szymaniak was known for his technical skill, agility, and vision on the field. He was also known for his tenacity and work ethic, which earned him the nickname “Schimmi” among his teammates and fans.
Football Career
Club Career
Horst Szymaniak began his football career playing for local club SpVgg Erkenschwick. He broke into the first team at the age of 18 and quickly established himself as a regular. After playing for several clubs, including Wuppertaler SV, Karlsruher SC, Calcio Catania, F.C. Internazionale Milano, A.S. Varese 1910, and Tasmania 1900 Berlin, he returned to SpVgg Erkenschwick in 1970 to finish his career.
Szymaniak’s most successful period was with F.C. Internazionale Milano, where he won the Serie A title in 1965 and the European Cup in 1964 and 1965.
International Career
Szymaniak made his debut for the West Germany national team in 1955. He went on to earn 43 caps and scored 4 goals for his country. He was a member of the West Germany squad that won the 1958 FIFA World Cup and also played in the 1962 FIFA World Cup.
Post-Football Life
After retiring from professional football, Horst Szymaniak worked as a sports commentator and coach, and also ran a pub in his hometown of Kattenvenne. He remained active in the football world, and was a well-respected figure in German football circles.
In his later years, Szymaniak suffered from various health problems, and was in and out of hospital. He passed away on October 9, 2009, at the age of 75, after a long illness. His death was mourned by the German football community, and he was remembered as one of the greats of the game.
Szymaniak’s legacy lives on, both in the memories of those who knew him and in the records he set on the pitch. He will always be remembered as a talented and dedicated footballer who gave his all to the game, and as a beloved figure in the German football world.
Legacy
Horst Szymaniak was a talented midfielder who was known for his technical skills and his ability to control the game. He was a key player for the German national team during the 1958 and 1962 World Cup tournaments, where he helped lead his team to the final. Szymaniak was also a successful club player, having played for teams such as Karlsruher SC, Calcio Catania, F.C. Internazionale Milano, and A.S. Varese 1910.
Szymaniak’s legacy is one of excellence and dedication to the sport. He was a true professional who always gave his all on the field, and his passion for the game was evident in every match he played. His technical skills and ability to control the midfield were second to none, and he was widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
Today, Szymaniak is remembered as a legend of German football, and his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on through the many young players who look up to him as a role model and aspire to achieve the same level of success that he did.
In recognition of his achievements, Szymaniak was inducted into the German Football Hall of Fame in 2008, cementing his place as one of the greatest players in the history of German football.
Death
Horst Szymaniak passed away on October 9, 2009, at the age of 75, in Melle, Germany. His death was mourned by the German football community, where he was a well-respected figure. Szymaniak’s death was reported by UEFA.com, who referred to him as a “veteran of two FIFA World Cup final tournaments.”
Szymaniak had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years before his death. The disease had forced him to retire from public life, and he had been living in a care home in Melle.
Szymaniak’s death was widely reported in the German media, with many newspapers and websites running obituaries and tributes to the former footballer. The German Football Association (DFB) also issued a statement expressing their condolences to Szymaniak’s family and friends.
Despite his passing, Szymaniak’s legacy in German football continues to live on. He is remembered as a talented and versatile player who played an important role in the success of the German national team during the 1950s and 1960s.
Honors and Achievements
Horst Szymaniak was a highly decorated player who received numerous honors and awards throughout his career. Here are some of his most notable achievements:
- 1958 FIFA World Cup: Szymaniak was a key player in the West German team that reached the final of the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Although they lost to Brazil in the final, Szymaniak’s performances throughout the tournament were widely praised, and he was named in the tournament’s All-Star Team.
- UEFA European Championship: Szymaniak played a crucial role in West Germany’s triumph at the 1960 UEFA European Championship. He scored a goal in the final against Yugoslavia, and his performances throughout the tournament earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament.
- DFB-Pokal: Szymaniak won the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) twice during his career, first with FC Schalke 04 in 1964 and then with Borussia Dortmund in 1965.
- Bundesliga: Szymaniak won the Bundesliga title twice with Borussia Dortmund, in 1963 and 1965.
- Individual Awards: Szymaniak was named German Footballer of the Year in 1958 and 1960, and he was also included in the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in 1960.
Szymaniak’s achievements on the pitch were a testament to his skill and dedication as a player. He was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Horst Szymaniak and what was his profession?
Horst Szymaniak was a professional footballer who played as a midfielder for various clubs in Germany, including Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen. He was also a member of the West Germany national team and played in two World Cups.
What were Horst Szymaniak’s major achievements in his career?
Szymaniak was known for his technical skills and his ability to control the midfield. He won the German championship with Schalke 04 in 1958 and the DFB-Pokal with Werder Bremen in 1961. He was also named to the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in 1964.
What was Horst Szymaniak’s early life like?
Szymaniak was born on August 29, 1934, in Erkenschwick, Germany. He began playing football at a young age and joined the youth team of Schalke 04 when he was 15 years old.
What were some notable moments in Horst Szymaniak’s career?
Szymaniak’s career was marked by many notable moments, including his performances in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups and his role in Schalke 04’s championship-winning season in 1958. He was also known for his performance in the 1964 UEFA European Championship, where he helped West Germany win the tournament.
What was Horst Szymaniak’s impact on the sport he was involved in?
Szymaniak was considered one of the best midfielders of his generation and was known for his technical skills and his ability to control the midfield. He was also known for his leadership on the pitch and his ability to inspire his teammates.
How did Horst Szymaniak’s life and career come to an end?
Szymaniak passed away on October 9, 2009, at the age of 75. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and died in a nursing home in Bremen, Germany.