Gunter Netzer Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Gunter Netzer is a former German footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder. He is considered one of the best playmakers in German football history.
When and where was Gunter Netzer born?
Gunter Netzer was born on September 14, 1944 in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
What was Gunter Netzer’s upbringing like?
Gunter grew up in a working class family in Mönchengladbach. His father worked as a decorator. He developed a love for football at a young age playing on the streets.
Career as a Player
Gunter Netzer spent the majority of his club career with Borussia Mönchengladbach from 1963 to 1973. He also briefly played for Real Madrid and Grasshopper Club Zürich before retiring in 1978.
What positions did he play?
Netzer played as an attacking midfielder or deep-lying playmaker. He controlled the tempo of the game from midfield.
What were some of his best achievements as a player?
- 5x German champion (1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1977)
- UEFA Cup winner (1975)
- German Footballer of the Year (1972, 1973)
- 457 appearances for Borussia Mönchengladbach, scoring 82 goals
- 37 caps for West Germany, scoring 6 goals
What made Gunter Netzer such an effective playmaker?
Netzer possessed excellent vision and passing ability. He controlled the midfield with his intelligence and creativity, orchestrating attacks with precision long passes. His dribbling skills and ball control also allowed him to launch attacks deep from midfield.
Managerial Career
After retiring, Netzer went into management. He managed Grasshopper Club Zürich (1978-1979), 1. FC Nürnberg (1981-1982) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (1983-1984).
What were some highlights from his time as a manager?
As manager of Grasshopper Club Zürich, he won the Swiss Nationalliga A in his first season in 1978. As manager of Borussia Mönchengladbach, he helped stabilize the club which was struggling financially. Under his leadership, the club reached the UEFA Cup final in 1980 where they lost to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Net Worth, Investments and Other Business Ventures
| Heading | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated to be around $100 million |
| Main Sources of Income | Football career earnings, business investments |
| Business Investments | Founded real estate company, GSN Grundstücksgesellschaft Netzer und Partner |
| Other Ventures | TV punditry, launched a fashion brand, executive role with sporting goods company |
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After his retirement from football, Netzer invested his earnings from his playing career successfully into several business ventures. This has allowed him to amass an estimated net worth of around $100 million.
Some of his business activities include:
- Founding a real estate and property management company called GSN Grundstücksgesellschaft Netzer und Partner
- Worked as a TV pundit and analyst
- Launched a fashion brand selling custom shirts called Netzer 11
- Took up executive and board roles for companies like Uhlsport sporting goods
What is Gunter Netzer’s marital status? Does he have kids?
Netzer has been married three times. His first wife was Marita Netzer in the 1960s. He then married film producer Elvira Netzer, with whom he had two children – Marc Netzer and Julia Netzer Hoffmann. He is currently married to his third wife, Birgit Netzer.
What are some of Gunter Netzer’s interests and hobbies outside of football?
Outside of football, Netzer enjoys playing golf and going on motorcycle tours. He also has an interest in fashion, art and architecture. Throughout his career Netzer cultivated friendships with celebrities and the European jet-set crowd.
Where does Gunter Netzer reside currently?
Netzer used to own a villa near Lake Zurich in Switzerland. He sold that property in 2008 for a reported price of $56 million. He is believed to currently reside primarily in Munich, Germany.
What philanthropic or social causes has he been involved in?
Netzer has done charity work over the years for foundations supporting research into Alzheimer’s disease after his friend and former teammate suffered from the condition. He has also supported initiatives for children’s education and sports development.
Facts and Records
- 5x German League champion
- 57 caps and 6 goals for West Germany
- 29 career trophies as player and manager combined
- La Liga champion with Real Madrid (1975)
- DFB-Pokal winner with Borussia Mönchengladbach (1973)
- UEFA Cup winner with Borussia Mönchengladbach (1975)
- German player of the year (1972, 1973)
- Registered in the top 10 for annual Ballon d’Or ranking (1972-1974)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gunter Netzer enjoyed an illustrious career as one of Germany’s greatest midfield playmakers of his era. His visionary passing and ability to control games from midfield made him a standout talent.
After retiring as a player, Netzer found success as a manager most notably with Grasshopper Club Zürich and as a businessman leveraging his football earnings into smart investments. His estimated $100 million net worth is a testament to his business acumen.
While a world-class talent on the pitch, Netzer has maintained an active lifestyle and cultivated diverse interests including fashion, golf and philanthropic endeavors.
His legacy in German football has cemented his place as an icon in the sport’s history. With 3 marriages and 2 children, Netzer has also enjoyed a vibrant personal life characterized by high-profile connections across sports, business and entertainment industries over his prolific career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What trophies did Netzer win as a player?
As a player Netzer won 29 major career trophies. These include 5 German league titles, 2 German Cups, 1 UEFA Cup and 1 La Liga with Real Madrid amongst other honors like German Player of the Year (1972, 1973).
How many caps did Netzer earn for West Germany?
Netzer was capped 37 times for West Germany through his career, scoring 6 international goals. He featured at the 1972 Euro Championships and 1974 World Cup for West Germany.
What business ventures was Netzer involved in after retirement?
After retiring, Netzer successfully invested his money into real estate by founding GSN Grundstücksgesellschaft Netzer und Partner. He also worked in TV, launched a fashion label and took executive roles with companies like Uhlsport.
Who were some famous teammates of Netzer?
Netzer played alongside German legends like Berti Vogts, Rainer Bonhof and Jupp Heynckes during Borussia Mönchengladbach and Germany’s golden era in the 1970s which saw them win multiple Bundesligas and reach the 1974 World Cup final.
What position did Netzer play during his career?
Netzer played as a creative attacking midfielder or deep-lying playmaker who would control games with his passing and vision. He would orchestrate attacks from midfield with incisive passes.
