Sepp Maier

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Lore & Background

Born in Metten, Bavaria, Maier spent his entire professional career at Bayern Munich. He began playing for Bayern's youth sides in 1958. During the 1970s, he was part of the legendary Bayern team which included the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller which won four West German league titles, three German cups, and three consecutive European Cups (1974 defeating Atlético Madrid, 1975 defeating Leeds United, 1976 defeating AS Saint-Étienne). He had previously tasted success in Europe in 1967 when Bayern won the European Cup Winners Cup, defeating Rangers F.C. in the final in extra time. In the five games of the four European finals, the 1974 title having been won in a replay, Maier allowed a total of one goal. Maier was elected German Footballer of the Year in 1975, 1977, and 1978. Between 1966 and 1979 he played in 442 consecutive Bundesliga matches, still a German national record. On 14 July 1979, Maier suffered serious injuries in a self-inflicted traffic accident. While aquaplaning, he veered out of his lane and collided with an oncoming car, resulting in minor injuries to two women. Initially admitted to the district hospital over the weekend, medical staff there failed to recognize the extent of his injuries, diagnosing only a few rib fractures. However, through his friend Uli Hoeneß, newly appointed as Bayern manager, Maier was connected with the Bayern club doctor. Upon the doctor's recommendation, Maier was transferred to Großhadern hospital, where X-rays revealed a ruptured lung, a displaced liver, a torn diaphragm, and a collection of two and a half liters of blood in his abdominal cavity. An emergency surgery at Großhadern saved Maier's life. He started training again on 26 November 1979, but then had to end his career, having missed the entire 1979–80 season.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell hard on July 14, 1979, as Maier's car aquaplaned off the road, colliding with an oncoming vehicle. The crash resulted in minor injuries to two women but nearly cost Maier his life. Initially misdiagnosed at a district hospital with only rib fractures, he was transferred by friend Uli Hoeneß to Großhadern hospital, where X-rays revealed a ruptured lung, displaced liver, torn diaphragm, and 2.5 liters of blood in his abdominal cavity. An emergency surgery saved him, but the damage was irreversible for his playing career. Though he attempted training on 26 November 1979, he had to end his career after missing the entire 1979–80 season, leaving behind a streak of 442 consecutive matches.

Reader's Guide

Maier was selected in the West Germany squad for four consecutive World Cups. In 1966 in England, he was a non-playing deputy to Hans Tilkowski. At the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, he was the starter and played all games (including the 4–3 semifinal loss to Italy after extra time) except the third-place match in which Horst Wolter was put on the starting lineup. In the 1974 FIFA World Cup on home soil, at the top of his footballing abilities, he reached the peak of his international career as the Germans went all the way to the final with a legendary team that included the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts, Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner. The greatest triumph came when the hosts defeated a Johan Cruyff-led Netherlands team 2–1 in the final in Maier's own hometown Munich. Four years later at the World Cup in Argentina Maier delivered a strong performance but could not prevent his side's failing to advance past the second round. Maier also won the 1972 European Championship with West Germany and reached the final in 1976, losing to Czechoslovakia on penalty kicks. On this occasion he was on the receiving end of the original Panenka penalty. In all, he earned 95 caps for his country.

Did You Know?

• Maier was nicknamed "Die Katze von Anzing" ("the cat from Anzing") for his fast reflexes, agility, flexibility, speed, and consistency.
• He played in 442 consecutive Bundesliga matches between 1966 and 1979, still a German national record.
• Maier was the first goalkeeper to wear the now-standard, outsize, "Mickey Mouse" gloves.
• He once attempted to catch a duck that wandered onto the pitch during a match at the Olympiastadion.
• Maier survived a serious car accident in 1979 that required emergency surgery for a ruptured lung, displaced liver, torn diaphragm, and internal bleeding.

The One-Club Legend and European Dominance

Josef Dieter "Sepp" Maier dedicated his entire seventeen-year professional career to Bayern Munich, a loyalty that earned him the One Club Man Award in 2017. Joining youth ranks in 1958, he became the goalkeeper for a squad that won four Bundesliga titles (1968–69, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74) and three German Cups. His greatest success came in Europe: Bayern won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976. In these five final matches, Maier allowed just one goal. He also lifted the Intercontinental Cup in 1976. With 709 total appearances, he was Bayern's all-time record holder until Thomas Müller surpassed him in 2024.

International Glory and the Panenka Heartbreak

Maier represented West Germany at four consecutive World Cups. In 1970, he played all games except the third-place match. His crowning achievement was the 1974 World Cup final in Munich, where he helped defeat the Netherlands 2–1. He also won the 1972 European Championship. The 1976 Euro final remains a poignant moment; after the match went to penalties against Czechoslovakia, Maier faced Antonín Panenka's famous chipped shot, which secured the title for the opposition. Despite this loss and failing to advance past the second round in Argentina in 1978, his 95 caps and status as a World Cup winner cemented his legacy.

The Tragic Accident That Ended an Era

On 14 July 1979, Maier's career ended abruptly due to a self-inflicted traffic accident caused by aquaplaning. After colliding with another car, he was initially misdiagnosed at a local hospital. Uli Hoeneß intervened to get him seen by the Bayern club doctor, leading to a transfer to Großhadern hospital. There, doctors discovered life-threatening injuries: a ruptured lung, displaced liver, torn diaphragm, and a massive internal bleed. Emergency surgery saved his life, but he could not recover for professional play. He started training on 26 November 1979 but was forced to retire immediately after missing the 1979–80 season.

Personality, Style, and Lasting Influence

Maier was known for his unique style, being the first goalkeeper to wear "Mickey Mouse" gloves and overlong shorts. His sense of humor was legendary; during a match at the Olympiastadion where the opposition posed no threat, he famously tried to catch a duck that wandered onto the pitch. He mentored Oliver Kahn as a coach until 2004, when his contract with the national team was terminated by Jürgen Klinsmann after Maier supported Kahn over Jens Lehmann in a selection dispute. Maier retired from coaching at Bayern in 2008 and received the Bavarian Life Achievement Award in June 2009.