Jupp Derwall Tenure

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Derwall's first major tournament as West Germany head coach was UEFA Euro 1980 in Italy. Under his guidance West Germany won the championship, winning three of their five games (drawing with Czechoslovakia in the group stage, then beating Belgium in the final) and finishing with the tournament's top scorer in Klaus Allofs. Confidence was high going into the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. Derwall was heard to have said before the first match against Algeria, "If we don't beat Algeria I'll take the next train home!" As things turned out he didn't stick to his promise. After a shock 1–2 defeat by Algeria in the first match, Derwall's West Germany regained their composure and progressed all the way to the final after some tough matches, including the infamous 1–0 win over Austria ("The Shame of Gijón") and the more memorable semi-final against France, where the Germans came back from 1–3 down to tie 3–3 and win on penalties. In the final itself, Germany lost 3–1 to Italy. The stars of this side were Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner.

In Their Own Story

Notwithstanding this setback, Derwall remained a highly regarded manager and West Germany were still counted among the favourites for UEFA Euro 1984, but their performance in France was not impressive and Derwall's team were eliminated in the first round. Public opinion in West Germany turned against Derwall rapidly. It reached an absolute low point when people would begin to yell angrily at Derwall had they spotted him in public. He in the end, of what amounted to a public campaign, was forced to resign his position, being replaced by the hitherto-untested Franz Beckenbauer who acted as team manager.

Reader's Guide

Derwall served as Schön's assistant until after the 1978 FIFA World Cup. When Schön retired from managing, also in light of the achievements in the tournament, Derwall was chosen to take his place as head coach of West Germany. His first major tournament was UEFA Euro 1980, where West Germany won the championship. At the 1982 FIFA World Cup, after a shock 1–2 defeat by Algeria in the first match, Derwall's team progressed to the final, losing 3–1 to Italy. At UEFA Euro 1984, West Germany were eliminated in the first round, leading to Derwall's resignation.

Did You Know?

• Derwall's hairdo provided the basis for his nickname 'Chieftain Silver Curl' (Häuptling Silberlocke).
• Before the first match against Algeria at the 1982 World Cup, Derwall said, 'If we don't beat Algeria I'll take the next train home!' — but he didn't stick to his promise after the 1–2 defeat.
• West Germany's 1–0 win over Austria at the 1982 World Cup is known as 'The Shame of Gijón'.
• Derwall stepped down after UEFA Euro 1984 following poor performance, with no coordinated campaign forcing him out.
• He was replaced as West Germany head coach by Franz Beckenbauer, who acted as team manager.