Stefan Effenberg: Player profile - FC Bayern München Legends
Legend
Personal
- Date of birth
- 02/08/1968
- Nationality
- German
- Greatest sporting success
- Bringing the Champions League trophy back to Munich after 25 years
- My neighbour in the Bayern changing room
- Carsten Jancker
- My ritual
- Eat a banana before every game and at half-time
- Toughest opponent
- Roy Keane
- Hobbys
- Cooking, traveling and sports
- Social engagement
- Supporting children
Two Roads to Munich
Stefan Effenberg, born on 2 August 1968 in Hamburg-Niendorf, began his professional career in 1987 with Borussia Mönchengladbach and was already a regular in midfield there at the age of 20. FC Bayern first brought the self-confident playmaker to Munich in the summer of 1990 – his first spell ended in 1992 after two trophyless years with a move to AC Fiorentina. This was followed by a return to Mönchengladbach and his development into one of the most dominant midfielders in the Bundesliga. Then, in 1998, came his return to the Isar: Ottmar Hitzfeld made Effenberg one of his priority signings – a decision that would go down in Bayern history.
The Captain of Milan
Under Hitzfeld, “Effe” enjoyed the most successful spell of his career. In 1999 he was named team captain and led FC Bayern to three consecutive German championships (1999, 2000, 2001) as well as the DFB Cup in 2000. The highlight came on 23 May 2001 at Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium: in the Champions League final against Valencia, Effenberg converted the equaliser from the penalty spot and kept his nerve again in the shoot-out. After 25 years, FC Bayern finally lifted the European Cup once more – and Effenberg was the captain who raised the trophy. He was named the most valuable player of the 2000/01 Champions League season. In the autumn, he added another triumph with the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo.
The “Aggressive Leader”
In 160 competitive matches for FC Bayern, Stefan Effenberg scored 35 goals. His coach Ottmar Hitzfeld called him the “aggressive leader” – a player who took responsibility when others hid. Effenberg polarised, provoked and led – his presence on the pitch was impossible to miss, and his leadership shaped an entire era. After ending his playing career in Qatar in 2004, Bayern fans voted him into the club’s Team of the Century. Today, Stefan Effenberg works as a TV pundit and keynote speaker and remains closely connected to FC Bayern as a legend. For him, his greatest sporting achievement is clearly defined: bringing the Champions League trophy back to Munich after 25 years.
Champions League winner: 2001
World Cup winner: 2001
German champion 1999, 2000, 2001
DFB Cup Winner 1995, 2000
- Date of birth
- 02/08/1968
- Nationality
- German
- Greatest sporting success
- Bringing the Champions League trophy back to Munich after 25 years
- My neighbour in the Bayern changing room
- Carsten Jancker
- My ritual
- Eat a banana before every game and at half-time
- Toughest opponent
- Roy Keane
- Hobbys
- Cooking, traveling and sports
- Social engagement
- Supporting children
Two Roads to Munich
Stefan Effenberg, born on 2 August 1968 in Hamburg-Niendorf, began his professional career in 1987 with Borussia Mönchengladbach and was already a regular in midfield there at the age of 20. FC Bayern first brought the self-confident playmaker to Munich in the summer of 1990 – his first spell ended in 1992 after two trophyless years with a move to AC Fiorentina. This was followed by a return to Mönchengladbach and his development into one of the most dominant midfielders in the Bundesliga. Then, in 1998, came his return to the Isar: Ottmar Hitzfeld made Effenberg one of his priority signings – a decision that would go down in Bayern history.
The Captain of Milan
Under Hitzfeld, “Effe” enjoyed the most successful spell of his career. In 1999 he was named team captain and led FC Bayern to three consecutive German championships (1999, 2000, 2001) as well as the DFB Cup in 2000. The highlight came on 23 May 2001 at Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium: in the Champions League final against Valencia, Effenberg converted the equaliser from the penalty spot and kept his nerve again in the shoot-out. After 25 years, FC Bayern finally lifted the European Cup once more – and Effenberg was the captain who raised the trophy. He was named the most valuable player of the 2000/01 Champions League season. In the autumn, he added another triumph with the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo.
The “Aggressive Leader”
In 160 competitive matches for FC Bayern, Stefan Effenberg scored 35 goals. His coach Ottmar Hitzfeld called him the “aggressive leader” – a player who took responsibility when others hid. Effenberg polarised, provoked and led – his presence on the pitch was impossible to miss, and his leadership shaped an entire era. After ending his playing career in Qatar in 2004, Bayern fans voted him into the club’s Team of the Century. Today, Stefan Effenberg works as a TV pundit and keynote speaker and remains closely connected to FC Bayern as a legend. For him, his greatest sporting achievement is clearly defined: bringing the Champions League trophy back to Munich after 25 years.
Champions League winner: 2001
World Cup winner: 2001
German champion 1999, 2000, 2001
DFB Cup Winner 1995, 2000