Biography
Who is Horst Hrubesch?
Playing Career Highlights
Horst Hrubesch began his professional path at Rot-Weiss Essen before joining Hamburger SV in 1978. During his time at Hamburg, he developed into a productive goalscorer. He helped the team secure three Bundesliga titles in 1979, 1982, and 1983. His dominance in the air earned him the nickname Das Kopfball-Ungeheuer, which translates to the Header Beast. He also captained the side to a 1-0 victory against Juventus in the 1983 European Cup final held in Athens.
His international career for West Germany included 21 appearances and six goals. He played a crucial role during the 1980 UEFA European Championship final against Belgium, where he scored twice. One of his goals was a signature bullet header in the 89th minute to secure the title. He also reached the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where the team faced Italy. Following his stint in Hamburg, he played for Standard Liège in Belgium and later returned to the Bundesliga to represent Borussia Dortmund for a single season.
Coaching and Management
After retiring as a player, Horst Hrubesch transitioned into football management. His coaching path started at Rot-Weiss Essen in 1986. Over the following decades, he held various managerial roles across different clubs, including VfL Wolfsburg, Swarovski Tirol, Hansa Rostock, Dynamo Dresden, Austria Wien, and Samsunspor. He also had a brief return to Hamburger SV as a manager in 2021.
His impact on the German national football system has been significant. He led the Germany U-19 team to victory at the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. In 2009, he guided the U-21 squad to win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship after defeating England. He also coached the German men's team that earned a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In recent years, he took charge of the Germany women's national team, especially during 2018 and again starting in 2023.
Honors and Awards
Throughout his career, Horst Hrubesch received numerous accolades for his contributions to the sport. He was inducted into the German Football Hall of Fame. His individual honors include being the Bundesliga top scorer during the 1981-82 season. He also received the Onze de Bronze award in 1980.
His broader societal impact has been recognized through several state and federal distinctions. He was honored with the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt and the Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia. Also, he received the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Walther Bensemann award. These recognitions reflect his long-standing dedication to football in his home country.
Birthday and age
Horst Hrubesch was born on April 17, 1951, which makes Horst 75 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Horst shares the date with 62 other famous people.
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