2013 Champions' League |
Bayern Munich All-time Greatest Team for German players
Bayern Munich Foreign Players All-time Greatest Team
Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund,
Borussia Mönchengladbach, Schalke 04, Werder Bremen,
Hamburger SV, Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen,
FC Koln, VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt
Borussia Mönchengladbach, Schalke 04, Werder Bremen,
Hamburger SV, Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen,
FC Koln, VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt
Bavaria
Bayern Munich is the most successful, German clubs. They won more European Cups and Bundesliga than any other German teams. However, they were not a big club until the 1960's when Bundesliga became a professional league. Their successes began around the time Franz Beckenbauer joined them in 1965. They won three, straight European Cup from 1974 to 1976. After twenty-five years of successes in the domestic competitions and near misses at the European Cup, they won the European Cup (Champions' league) again in 2001, 2013 and 2020. They won the title 5 times, making them one of the most successful clubs in Europe.
Since the beginning of the 2005–06 season, Bayern has played its home games at the Allianz Arena. Previously the team had played at Munich's Olympiastadion for 33 years. The team colours are red and white, and the team crest shows the white and blue flag of Bavaria.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
GK: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
Oliver Kahn is one of the most successful German players in recent history. For Bayern Munich, he won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, the UEFA Cup in 1996, the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup, both achieved in 2001. For Germany, his heroic performance helped Germany to finish 2nd at the 2002 World Cup Finals in Korea/Japan. He was the Gold Ball winner in that World Cup Finals. He played 86 times for Germany from 1995 to 2006.
GK: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neuer established as Germany's number 1 before the World Cup Finals in 2010. Since then, he has been considered one of the best keeper in the world. He helped Germany winning their 4th World Cup in 2014. In 2014, Neuer finished third in the voting, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. He started with Schalke 04, but moved to rival Bayern Munich in 2010. He is the second most expensive keeper of all-time.
RB/LB/DM: Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Philipp Lahm was the captain of the 2014 World Cup winning team. He had 113 caps for Germany from 2004 to 2014. He was included in the World Cup team of the tournament in 2006 and 2010. For club football, he played his entire career with Bayern Munich, except for a two year loan spell with VfB Stuttgart. He also won the treble in 2013 when Bayern Munich won the Champions' League, the German Cup and the Bundesliga on the same year. He is a member of Bayern Munich's Hall of Fame.
RB: Willy Sagnol (France)
Willy Sagnol played with St Etienne and Monaco in France. He was better known for his stint with Bayern Munich, winning the Champions' League in 2001. He played 58 times for the national team from 2000 to 2008, but missing out winning the European Championship in 2000. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2006. He became the regular starter after Lilian Thuram moved to centre-back.
CB: Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck (Germany)
Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck was the center-back for both West Germany and Bayern Munich during the 1970's. Between 1971 and 1978, he played 44 times for West Germany. He won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974. He was a one club man for Bayern Munich, where he won three straight European Cup. He was known as Franz Beckenbauer's defensive partner for club and country.
DM/CB: Ludwig Goldbrunner (Germany)
Ludwig Goldbrunner went to the World Cup Finals in 1938 for Germany. He became known in 1937 as one of the "Breslau-Elf" (Breslau Eleven) players, after they thrashed Denmark with an 8:0 score. He spent his entire career with Bayern Munich, winning the German title in 1932. He was considered to be one of Bayern's greatest players.
SW/CM: Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
Franz Beckenbauer was one of the best ever player in history. Known as Der Kaiser, he was credited with revolutionizing the sweeper position. He was twice selected European Footballer of the Year. Beckenbauer appeared 103 times for West Germany and played in three FIFA World Cups, winning the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championship in 1972. At the club level, he won three straight European Cup with Bayern Munich in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He also played for Hamburger and NY Cosmos.
SW: Klaus Augenthaler (Germany)
LB/CM: Paul Breitner (Germany)
Breitner was the first player to score a goal at two different WC Final match. He had 48 caps for West Germany. He won the Euro 1972 and then, the World Cup in 1974. He spent most of his career with Bayern Muinch and then, went to play for Real Madrid in Spain. During his club career, Breitner won seven National Championships with Bayern Munich (1972, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1981) and Real Madrid (1975, 1976), the Champions' Cup (1974) as well as the German (1971, 1982) and Spanish Cups (1975).
LB: Bixente Lizarazu (France)
Bixente Lizarazu was the leftback for the all-conquering French, winning the World Cup in 1998 and European Championship in 2000. He had 97 caps. Lizarazu began his professional career with Girondins de Bordeaux, but better known for playing with Bayern Munich for 9 seasons. He won the Champions' League in 2001. He is a Basque and he also played for Atletico Bilbao.
DM: Franz Roth (Germany)
Franz Roth was nicknamed the "Bull". He was known for scoring important goals for Bayern Munich. He scored three times in three different club Finals in Europe for Bayern Munich, namely the 1967 Cup Winners' Cup, and both 1975 and 1976 European Cup Final. He spent nearly his entire career with the club. He was the part of the team that won three straight European Cup.
CM: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Bastian Schweinsteiger was an important player for both club and country. He was capped 121 times. He went to three European Championships and as many World Cups, including their victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. At the club level, Schweinsteiger is a youth product of Bayern Munich. He won the 2013 Champions' league title with Bayern Munich. Late in his career, he played for Manchester United and Chicago Fire.
CM: Stefan Effenberg (Germany)
Stefan Effenberg started his career with Borussia Moncehngladbach before moving to Bayern Munich in 1990 and then, in Fiorentina in 1992. His most successful club career came during his second stint with Bayern Munich. He helped the club to reach the Final of the Champions' League twice, winning in 2001. For Germany, he was only capped 35 times. His international career was cut short after the "giving a finger" incident during the World Cup Finals in 1994.
CM: Lothar Matthaus (Germany)
Matthaus captained the West German team in winning the World Cup in 1990. He was the European Player of the Year and the first ever World Player of the year in 1990. He played in five World Cups, a record for an outfield player, and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player (25 games). He played in 4 European Championships,winning the 1980 edition. At the club lebel, he played for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
RW/LW/FW: Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Arjen Robben was an important player for Bayern Munich's dominance in Europe as they reached three Champions' League Finals in 4 years, winning the one in 2013. He was known with hisn partnership with Franck Ribery. He also played with Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven. For Netherlands, he had 96 caps between 2003 and 2017. He helped Netherlands to reach the Final of the 2010 World Cup Finals and then, four years later the semi-final in 2014.
RW/LW: Franck Ribery (France)
Ribery is one of the best French players of his generation. Individually, Ribéry is a three-time winner of the French Player of the Year award and has also won the German Footballer of the Year becoming the first player to hold both honours. He played for 6 clubs in 5 seasons before joining Bayern Munich. He won the Champions' League in 2013 with Bayern Munich. He played in two World Cup Finals and helping France to a 2nd place in 2006.
AM: Mehmet Scholl (Germany)
Mehmet Scholl was born in Germany of Turkish heritage. He started with Karlsruher, but spent almost his entire career with Bayern Munich. He won the Bundesliga title 8 times and the Champions' league n 2001. Injuries has limited his career with the national team. He played at Euro 2000, but he never played in any of the World Cup Finals. He only played 36 times for Germany.
Squad Explanation
-- This team was created in August, 2016. I redid it in August, 2024.
Bayern Munich is the most successful, German clubs. They won more European Cups and Bundesliga than any other German teams. However, they were not a big club until the 1960's when Bundesliga became a professional league. Their successes began around the time Franz Beckenbauer joined them in 1965. They won three, straight European Cup from 1974 to 1976. After twenty-five years of successes in the domestic competitions and near misses at the European Cup, they won the European Cup (Champions' league) again in 2001, 2013 and 2020. They won the title 5 times, making them one of the most successful clubs in Europe.
Since the beginning of the 2005–06 season, Bayern has played its home games at the Allianz Arena. Previously the team had played at Munich's Olympiastadion for 33 years. The team colours are red and white, and the team crest shows the white and blue flag of Bavaria.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
The 1974 European Cup/Bundesliga Double team |
Team
GK: Sepp Maier (Germany)
Nicknamed "The cat from Anzing", Maier was considered one of the greatest goalkeeper ever in the 1970's. He had 95 caps for West Germany, winning the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup at home in 1974. For club football, he played his entire career with Bayern Munich. He also won three straight European Cups for Bayern Munich. He was German Footballer of the Year: 1975, 1977, 1978.
GK: Sepp Maier (Germany)
Nicknamed "The cat from Anzing", Maier was considered one of the greatest goalkeeper ever in the 1970's. He had 95 caps for West Germany, winning the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup at home in 1974. For club football, he played his entire career with Bayern Munich. He also won three straight European Cups for Bayern Munich. He was German Footballer of the Year: 1975, 1977, 1978.
GK: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
Oliver Kahn is one of the most successful German players in recent history. For Bayern Munich, he won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, the UEFA Cup in 1996, the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup, both achieved in 2001. For Germany, his heroic performance helped Germany to finish 2nd at the 2002 World Cup Finals in Korea/Japan. He was the Gold Ball winner in that World Cup Finals. He played 86 times for Germany from 1995 to 2006.
Oliver Kahn and the 2001 Champions' league |
Neuer established as Germany's number 1 before the World Cup Finals in 2010. Since then, he has been considered one of the best keeper in the world. He helped Germany winning their 4th World Cup in 2014. In 2014, Neuer finished third in the voting, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. He started with Schalke 04, but moved to rival Bayern Munich in 2010. He is the second most expensive keeper of all-time.
RB/LB/DM: Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Philipp Lahm was the captain of the 2014 World Cup winning team. He had 113 caps for Germany from 2004 to 2014. He was included in the World Cup team of the tournament in 2006 and 2010. For club football, he played his entire career with Bayern Munich, except for a two year loan spell with VfB Stuttgart. He also won the treble in 2013 when Bayern Munich won the Champions' League, the German Cup and the Bundesliga on the same year. He is a member of Bayern Munich's Hall of Fame.
Philipp Lahm |
Willy Sagnol played with St Etienne and Monaco in France. He was better known for his stint with Bayern Munich, winning the Champions' League in 2001. He played 58 times for the national team from 2000 to 2008, but missing out winning the European Championship in 2000. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2006. He became the regular starter after Lilian Thuram moved to centre-back.
CB: Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck (Germany)
Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck was the center-back for both West Germany and Bayern Munich during the 1970's. Between 1971 and 1978, he played 44 times for West Germany. He won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974. He was a one club man for Bayern Munich, where he won three straight European Cup. He was known as Franz Beckenbauer's defensive partner for club and country.
DM/CB: Ludwig Goldbrunner (Germany)
Ludwig Goldbrunner went to the World Cup Finals in 1938 for Germany. He became known in 1937 as one of the "Breslau-Elf" (Breslau Eleven) players, after they thrashed Denmark with an 8:0 score. He spent his entire career with Bayern Munich, winning the German title in 1932. He was considered to be one of Bayern's greatest players.
SW/CM: Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
Franz Beckenbauer was one of the best ever player in history. Known as Der Kaiser, he was credited with revolutionizing the sweeper position. He was twice selected European Footballer of the Year. Beckenbauer appeared 103 times for West Germany and played in three FIFA World Cups, winning the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championship in 1972. At the club level, he won three straight European Cup with Bayern Munich in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He also played for Hamburger and NY Cosmos.
Franz Beckenbauer |
Klaus Augenthaler played his entire career with with FC Bayern Munich from 1983 to 1990. He won seven Bundesliga titles. He was voted as one of greatest players in Bayern Munich's history. With 27 caps, he was the starting sweeper for West Germany at World Cup in 1990, where West Germany won. He also went to the World Cup in Mexico 1986. In 2005, Augenthaler was named as a member of the greatest Bayern Munich XI in the club's history.
CB: Jérôme Boateng
Jérôme Boateng started his career with Hertha Berlin and SV Hamburger. He played a single season with Manchester City before joining Bayern Munich in 2011. Since the World Cuo Finals of 2010, he is a major player for the national team. Between 2009 and 2018, he played 76 times for Germany. In 2010, they became the first siblings to play against each other in a World Cup match. He is the half-brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng who played for Ghana.
Jérôme Boateng started his career with Hertha Berlin and SV Hamburger. He played a single season with Manchester City before joining Bayern Munich in 2011. Since the World Cuo Finals of 2010, he is a major player for the national team. Between 2009 and 2018, he played 76 times for Germany. In 2010, they became the first siblings to play against each other in a World Cup match. He is the half-brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng who played for Ghana.
Breitner was the first player to score a goal at two different WC Final match. He had 48 caps for West Germany. He won the Euro 1972 and then, the World Cup in 1974. He spent most of his career with Bayern Muinch and then, went to play for Real Madrid in Spain. During his club career, Breitner won seven National Championships with Bayern Munich (1972, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1981) and Real Madrid (1975, 1976), the Champions' Cup (1974) as well as the German (1971, 1982) and Spanish Cups (1975).
Paul Breitner |
Bixente Lizarazu was the leftback for the all-conquering French, winning the World Cup in 1998 and European Championship in 2000. He had 97 caps. Lizarazu began his professional career with Girondins de Bordeaux, but better known for playing with Bayern Munich for 9 seasons. He won the Champions' League in 2001. He is a Basque and he also played for Atletico Bilbao.
DM: Franz Roth (Germany)
Franz Roth was nicknamed the "Bull". He was known for scoring important goals for Bayern Munich. He scored three times in three different club Finals in Europe for Bayern Munich, namely the 1967 Cup Winners' Cup, and both 1975 and 1976 European Cup Final. He spent nearly his entire career with the club. He was the part of the team that won three straight European Cup.
CM: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Bastian Schweinsteiger was an important player for both club and country. He was capped 121 times. He went to three European Championships and as many World Cups, including their victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. At the club level, Schweinsteiger is a youth product of Bayern Munich. He won the 2013 Champions' league title with Bayern Munich. Late in his career, he played for Manchester United and Chicago Fire.
Bastian Schweinsteiger |
Stefan Effenberg started his career with Borussia Moncehngladbach before moving to Bayern Munich in 1990 and then, in Fiorentina in 1992. His most successful club career came during his second stint with Bayern Munich. He helped the club to reach the Final of the Champions' League twice, winning in 2001. For Germany, he was only capped 35 times. His international career was cut short after the "giving a finger" incident during the World Cup Finals in 1994.
CM: Lothar Matthaus (Germany)
Matthaus captained the West German team in winning the World Cup in 1990. He was the European Player of the Year and the first ever World Player of the year in 1990. He played in five World Cups, a record for an outfield player, and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player (25 games). He played in 4 European Championships,winning the 1980 edition. At the club lebel, he played for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
RW/LW/FW: Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Arjen Robben was an important player for Bayern Munich's dominance in Europe as they reached three Champions' League Finals in 4 years, winning the one in 2013. He was known with hisn partnership with Franck Ribery. He also played with Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven. For Netherlands, he had 96 caps between 2003 and 2017. He helped Netherlands to reach the Final of the 2010 World Cup Finals and then, four years later the semi-final in 2014.
Arjen Robben |
Ribery is one of the best French players of his generation. Individually, Ribéry is a three-time winner of the French Player of the Year award and has also won the German Footballer of the Year becoming the first player to hold both honours. He played for 6 clubs in 5 seasons before joining Bayern Munich. He won the Champions' League in 2013 with Bayern Munich. He played in two World Cup Finals and helping France to a 2nd place in 2006.
AM: Mehmet Scholl (Germany)
Mehmet Scholl was born in Germany of Turkish heritage. He started with Karlsruher, but spent almost his entire career with Bayern Munich. He won the Bundesliga title 8 times and the Champions' league n 2001. Injuries has limited his career with the national team. He played at Euro 2000, but he never played in any of the World Cup Finals. He only played 36 times for Germany.
FW: Thomas Muller (Germany)
Thomas Muller made his professional debut the season before ]the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa with Bayern Munich. In South Africa, he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer with 5 goals. Between the two World Cup Finals, Bayern Munich won one Champions' league in 2013 and went to the Final two other times. At 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil, he won Silver Boot by scoring 5 goals after helping Germany to win their first World Cup since 1990.
FW: Uli Hoeness (Germany)
With 35 caps, Hoeness was a part of the generation that won the 1974 World Cup, the 1972 European Championship with West Germany. He also won three straight European cup with Bayern Munich. He was remembered as the star player at the 1974 European Cup Final against Atletico Madrid, scoring a double in that game. After retirement, he worked for Bayern Munich. His brother Dieter also played for Bayern Munich.
FW: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany)
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was one of the best players in the world during the 1980's. He was the European Player of the Year in 1980 and 1981. He won the European Championship in 1980 and was part of the squad that finished runner-up at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He was a young star in Argentina 1978. He spent the best parts of his club career with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
ST: Giovane Élber (Brazil)
At his prime, Giovane Élber was one of the greatest strikers playing in Europe. He formed the famous magic triangle with Krassimir Balakov and Fredi Bobic at VfB Stuttgart. With Bayern Munich, he was the star player as the club that won 4 league titles and the Champions' League in 2001. However, he only played 15 times for Brazil, largely due to stiff competition. He played in the same generation with Ronaldo, etc.
Thomas Muller made his professional debut the season before ]the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa with Bayern Munich. In South Africa, he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer with 5 goals. Between the two World Cup Finals, Bayern Munich won one Champions' league in 2013 and went to the Final two other times. At 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil, he won Silver Boot by scoring 5 goals after helping Germany to win their first World Cup since 1990.
FW: Uli Hoeness (Germany)
With 35 caps, Hoeness was a part of the generation that won the 1974 World Cup, the 1972 European Championship with West Germany. He also won three straight European cup with Bayern Munich. He was remembered as the star player at the 1974 European Cup Final against Atletico Madrid, scoring a double in that game. After retirement, he worked for Bayern Munich. His brother Dieter also played for Bayern Munich.
FW: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany)
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was one of the best players in the world during the 1980's. He was the European Player of the Year in 1980 and 1981. He won the European Championship in 1980 and was part of the squad that finished runner-up at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He was a young star in Argentina 1978. He spent the best parts of his club career with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge |
At his prime, Giovane Élber was one of the greatest strikers playing in Europe. He formed the famous magic triangle with Krassimir Balakov and Fredi Bobic at VfB Stuttgart. With Bayern Munich, he was the star player as the club that won 4 league titles and the Champions' League in 2001. However, he only played 15 times for Brazil, largely due to stiff competition. He played in the same generation with Ronaldo, etc.
ST: Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
At the time of writing, Robert Lewandowski is Poland's all-time leading scorer. He started with Znicz Pruszków and Lech Poznań, but he is known for his career with Borussia Dortmund, where he scored over 70 goals and reached the Champions' League Final in 2013. After the 2013-2014 season, he moved to rival Bayern Munich under a controversial situation. For Poland, he was capped over 90 times. He played in Euro 2012 and 2016, and the World Cup Finals in 2018.
ST: Gerd Muller (Germany)
"Der Bomber" was widely considered to be the greatest striker in history. He scored 68 goals in 62 matches for Die Mannschaft. He scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga appearance, mostly with Bayern Muinch. He won three straight European Cup with Bayern Munich in 1974, 1975 and 1976. At the international level, he played over 60 times for West Germany. He won the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championship in 1972. He was the European Player of the Year in 1970.
Honorable Mention
Jean Marie Pfaff (Belgium), Raimond Aumann (Germany), Herbert Erhardt (Germany), Jerome Boateng (Germany), Mats Hummels (Germany), Samuel Kuffour (Ghana), Werner Olk (Germany), David Alaba (Austria), Lucio (Brazil), Conrad Heidkamp (Germany), Hans Pfluegler (Germany), Jorginho (Brazil), Joshua Kimmich (West Germnay), Johnny Hansen (Denmark), Jens Jeremies (Germany), Sören Lerby (Denmark), Ze Roberto (Brazil), Wolfgang Dremmler (Germany), Hasan Salihamidzic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Dieter Hoeness (Germany), Claudio Pizarro (Peru), Roy Makaay (Netherlands), Thomas Muller (Germany), David Alaba (Austria), Bernd Duernberger (Germany), Roland Wohlfarth (Germany), Rainer Ohlhauser (Germany), Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany), Giovane Elber (Brazil).
At the time of writing, Robert Lewandowski is Poland's all-time leading scorer. He started with Znicz Pruszków and Lech Poznań, but he is known for his career with Borussia Dortmund, where he scored over 70 goals and reached the Champions' League Final in 2013. After the 2013-2014 season, he moved to rival Bayern Munich under a controversial situation. For Poland, he was capped over 90 times. He played in Euro 2012 and 2016, and the World Cup Finals in 2018.
ST: Gerd Muller (Germany)
"Der Bomber" was widely considered to be the greatest striker in history. He scored 68 goals in 62 matches for Die Mannschaft. He scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga appearance, mostly with Bayern Muinch. He won three straight European Cup with Bayern Munich in 1974, 1975 and 1976. At the international level, he played over 60 times for West Germany. He won the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championship in 1972. He was the European Player of the Year in 1970.
Gerd Muller |
Honorable Mention
Jean Marie Pfaff (Belgium), Raimond Aumann (Germany), Herbert Erhardt (Germany), Jerome Boateng (Germany), Mats Hummels (Germany), Samuel Kuffour (Ghana), Werner Olk (Germany), David Alaba (Austria), Lucio (Brazil), Conrad Heidkamp (Germany), Hans Pfluegler (Germany), Jorginho (Brazil), Joshua Kimmich (West Germnay), Johnny Hansen (Denmark), Jens Jeremies (Germany), Sören Lerby (Denmark), Ze Roberto (Brazil), Wolfgang Dremmler (Germany), Hasan Salihamidzic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Dieter Hoeness (Germany), Claudio Pizarro (Peru), Roy Makaay (Netherlands), Thomas Muller (Germany), David Alaba (Austria), Bernd Duernberger (Germany), Roland Wohlfarth (Germany), Rainer Ohlhauser (Germany), Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany), Giovane Elber (Brazil).
Squad Explanation
-- This team was created in August, 2016. I redid it in August, 2024.
-- Bayern Munich has many superstars who played for them. Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are the undisputed selection for the club. Sepp Maier, Olivier Kahn, Paul Breitner and Philipp Lahm are close to that status.
-- Bayern Munich before the later 1960's were not a good team. Ludwig Goldbrunner is the only player that I selected for this team. I also put Conrad Heidkamp and Werner Olk on honorable mention.
-- I have chosen seven players from the 1970s who collectively secured three consecutive European Cup victories. These players include Gerd Muller, Uli Hoeness, Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier, Paul Breitner, Franz Roth, and Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck.
-- From the 2001 Champions' League winning team, I took Oliver Kahn, Steffan Effenberg, Willy Sagnol, Mehmet Scholl, Givoane Elber and Bixente Lizarazu.
-- Bayern Munich before the later 1960's were not a good team. Ludwig Goldbrunner is the only player that I selected for this team. I also put Conrad Heidkamp and Werner Olk on honorable mention.
-- I have chosen seven players from the 1970s who collectively secured three consecutive European Cup victories. These players include Gerd Muller, Uli Hoeness, Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier, Paul Breitner, Franz Roth, and Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck.
-- From the 2001 Champions' League winning team, I took Oliver Kahn, Steffan Effenberg, Willy Sagnol, Mehmet Scholl, Givoane Elber and Bixente Lizarazu.
Stefan Effenberg |
-- Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery were on the 2012-2013 Champions' League winning team.
-- In 2005, the Bayern fans voted for their Best XI. The results: Sepp Maier, Klaus Augenthaler, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Steffan Effenberg, Mehmet Scholl, Lothar Matthaus, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Gerd Muller and Giovane Élber.
-- In 2005, the Bayern fans voted for their Best XI. The results: Sepp Maier, Klaus Augenthaler, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Steffan Effenberg, Mehmet Scholl, Lothar Matthaus, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Gerd Muller and Giovane Élber.
--The official Bundesliga Greatest Best XI of Bayern Munich features the following legendary players: Oliver Kahn, Philipp Lahm, Klaus Augenthaler, Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Arjen Robben, Lothar Matthaus, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, Gerd Muller, and Robert Lewandowski.
-- The Bild came upon with 50 greatest Bayern Munich players in 2022. The top 15 players ranked were as followed: 1) Franz Beckenbauer, 2) Thomas Muller, 3) Gerd Muller, 4) Robert Lewandowski, 5) Manuel Neuer, 6) Lothar Matthäus, 7) Philipp Lahm, 8) Franck Ribery, 9) Arjen Robben, 10) Sepp Maier, 11) Bastian Schweinsteiger, 12) Klaus Augenthaler, 13) Oliver Kahn, 14) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and 15) Paul Bretnier.
-- Sport.de listed as their 10 greatest ever Bayern players: Phlipe Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Oliver Kahn, Paul Bretiner, Sepp Maier, Lothar Matthäus, Uli Hoeness, Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller.
Goalkeepers
-- Sepp Maier, Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer were the two obvious choices for goalkeepers. Maier revolutionized the goalkeeper position in the 1970s as a key player in Bayern Munich's dominant era. Kahn, led Bayern Munich to Champions League glory in 2001 with a heroic performance in the final against Valencia. Neuer is known for his "sweeper-keeper" style of play. He has won the treble (Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League) twice with Bayern Munich, in 2012-13 and 2019-20. In the latter season, he captained the team to their historic triumph.
-- Jean Marie Pfaff also made Bild's list of the 50 greatest Bayern Munich's greatest players. The quartet of Maier, Kahn, Neuer, and Pfaff shared an extraordinary level of dominance and longevity as Bayern Munich's starting goalkeepers. Collectively, they spanned over 50 years as the undisputed first-choice custodians at the Bavarian club. Raimond Aumann was probably the only other notable goalkeepers in the history of Bayern Munich.
Defenders
-- Franz Beckenbauer was as much of a midfielder as a defender, but his preferred position was libero. Both Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck and Klaus Augenthaler remained loyal one-club players. I opted for Schwarzenbeck mainly due to his partnership with Beckenbauer in defense. If there was no Beckenbauer, Augenthaler would be easily Bayern's greatest defender. Ludwig Goldbrunner is the only member of Bayern Hall of Flame who played before the 1960's. I took him because his importance to the club in a different era. In 2016, Jerome Boateng had not built up his merits to be considered. By 2024, he won 8 straight Bundesliga titles while winning the treble twice. He edged out his defensive partner Mats Hummels who only played three seasons in Munich.-- Lucio was among the best defender in the world while playing for Bayern Munich. Samuel Kuffour perhaps warranted his place. I contemplated choosing Werner Olk, a standout in his own right before the rise of Beckenbauer. Conrad Heidkamp was a crucial player in Bayern Munich's first league title win in 1932. Amidst the turmoil of war, his wife protected Bayern's trophies from the Nazis and later from American soldiers searching for souvenirs, ultimately preserving them. So, he had a special place in Bayern history. I also looked into Hans Pflügler. They all made honorable mentions.
-- Although Philipp Lahm was adept at playing both sides of the fullback position, I designated him as a right-back due to the absence of a truly iconic figure in that role. Willy Sagnol was recognized as the top-ranking right-back by Bild. My preference for Sagnol and Lahm was influenced by these considerations. John Hansen notably scored the first goal in a Bundesliga match at Munich's Olympic Stadium. Herbert Erhardt showcased versatility, being capable of playing as both a right-back and a left-back, with his strongest suit possibly lying in central defense.
-- David Alaba played as a midfielder, central defender, and left-back during his time in Munich. He played a significant role in an era characterized by domestic league supremacy and continental "treble" crown successes. Despite his contributions, he faced stiff competition for a place in the team in each position. Bixente Lizarazu and Paul Breitner were formidable contenders ahead of him for the left-back position. Lizarazu has won all the titles there are to win in world football – only missing the UEFA Cup, which he ironically lost in 1996 with Bordeaux in the final against Bayern. Paul Breitner was put as a leftback because there were too many great central midfielders while he was the finest left-back in the world during his tenure in Munich.
-- Jorginho, Stefan Reuter, Jürgen Kohler and Andrea Brehme only played briefly for the club. I did not put them on honorable mention.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- The midfield position presents an even fiercer competition. To accommodate players like Bastian Schweinsteiger or Franz Roth, I positioned Paul Breitner at left-back and Franz Beckenbauer as a sweeper. Lahm also played as a midfielder.
--Franz Beckenbauer primarily operated as a midfielder for a significant portion of his career rather than as a sweeper. During the 1960s, the German manager Helmut Schön preferred Beckenbauer to play in midfield, asserting that the Kaiser's influence was best felt orchestrating play from the center of the field. It was only upon his shift to the libero role at Bayern Munich that Beckenbauer revolutionized and redefined that position. In this position, he controlled the entire length of the field. The national team would later deploy him as a libero. However, the libero role became extinct after the 1990's. Beckenbauer might have to play central midfielder for this team.
-- With Bayern, Lothar Matthaus won the league title seven times, the cup twice, and the UEFA Cup once. He is also the oldest goal scorer in the club's history (in 1999 at the age of 38 years and 8 months during the 6-1 victory against Freiburg). Stefan Effenberg led Bayern to three Bundesliga titles and two European Cup finals in four years, winning the second Final. Then, I took Bastian Schweinsteiger over Michael Ballack, Ze Roberto and Bernd Duernberger. He consistently appeared in some of the top lists (See above). He played 17 years in Munich.
-- Michael Ballack only played 4 seasons in Bayern Munich. And he played less games here than with Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea. Bernd Duernberger was a one club player, but still could not get into this team.
-- Franz Roth was the last player selected. He does not have the same name recognition as the others player because his international career was limited to 4 caps, but he is one of 16 players on Bayern Hall of Flame. He is also the 4th all-time leading scorer, despite playing as a midfielder. He also scored in all three European finals in the 1970's. I took him over Claudio Pizarro, Roy Makaay, Roland Wohlfarth and Hasan Salihamidzic.
-- Mark van Bommel was the first foreign captain on the team. But this team had too many central midfielders. Lahm, Breitner and Beckenbauer were also midfielders. He also only won two Bundesliga in his 5 seasons here while losing the Champions' League Final in 2010. Instead, I took Mehmet Scholl because he usually played in a more advanced role than the other midfielders listed here. He won a Champions' League title over here.
-- Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery became known as ‘Robbery’ in Munich. They defined a generation of Bayern's successes. The pair won 77 per cent of the games when they played together on the same field. In 2013, they won the Champions' League with Robben scoring the winning goal. Ribery is also one of Bundesliga's all-time leading assist providers. I don't have any backup winger on this team. However, Schweinsteiger had successfully play on either side of the flank. In addition, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Thomas Muller are capable of offering width on the right side if required. So I don't have any space for Hasan Salihamidžić.
Forwards
-- Gerd Muller needed no introduction. He scored 487 goals for Bayern Munich.
-- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was European Player of the Year twice during his time in Munich.
-- Thomas Muller's numbers in Munich stood out. He is now the third leading scorer for Bayern Munich. With Bayern, he has won a record twelve Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, eight DFL-Supercups, two Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Cups.
-- Giovane Élber won a Champions' League, but Thomas Muller also won two Champions' League titles in which was also a treble corwn year. The Bild ranked him as the 19th greatest Bayern Player.
-- My selection of Uli Hoeness is heavily influenced by his involvement with the club after his retirement. It is something that I do not normally considered. However, Hoeness' name has embedded with the club for so long. It is hard not to identify Hoeness with the club.
-- Jurgen Klinsmann spent two seasons here. He won an UEFA Cup as a key player. However, he did not do enough to earn a place in the team. I put him on honorable mention.
-- In August, 2020, I decided to add Robert Lewandowski after Bayern Munich won the 2020 Champions' League. He is now the second All-Time leading scorer for Bayern Munich. In the 2020-2021 season, Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller’s 40-goal season record in the 1971–72 season that was thought to be unbreakable. I briefly considered dropping Uli Hoeness instead, but he was basically a one club player. I saw that as very important.
Formation
-- I do not have a preference between Olivier Kahn and Sepp Maier.
-- I want to pair Beckenbauer with a stopper.
-- I could move Breitner to the midfield and start Lizarazu as the leftback.
Definitely robben instead of ribery.
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Now, at the beginning of 2020/21 season and after 8 national championships in a row including the 2020 champions league trophy, you should include Boateng, Alaba and Thomas Müller into the squad and replace Lucio, Sagnol and Ballack. Those three players show world class performances for a decade now, while Lucio and Ballack only spent some seasons with Bayern and were not that successfull. Sagnol didn't have the abilities of Alaba, although he played on the right side of defense. If not Sagnol, you should replace van Bommel and put Breitner in midfield.
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