“Bernd Hölzenbein inspired people with his way of playing football and made a decisive contribution to the fact that Eintracht Frankfurt, but also the German national team, were often victorious. Football accompanied him throughout his life. First as a player, then as vice president of Eintracht Frankfurt and manager, as he was largely responsible for Eintracht’s upswing in the early 1990s. Under him, the club qualified for European competition six times in a row from 1990 onwards. With Bernd Hölzenbein, a great footballer is leaving the field forever. His services to football, including as a manager and official, will not be forgotten,” said Prime Minister Rhein on Tuesday in Wiesbaden and expressed his condolences to the relatives. In 2014, Bernd Hölzenbein was awarded the Hessian Order of Merit.
Great role model for Hessian sport
“The sport thrives on role models like Bernd Hölzenbein. The successes of Eintracht Frankfurt also bear his signature. The record scorer won the UEFA Cup and the DFB Cup three times with the Eagles. As a national player, he became world champion in 1974 and European runner-up in 1976. He was a real figurehead for Hessian sport and will continue to be a great role model,” said Hesse’s Sports Minister Diana Stolz.
Hölzenbein scored five goals in 40 games for Germany. He was awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf for the 1974 World Cup title. Hölzenbein came to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1967 and stayed with the Hessians until 1981, for whom he played 420 Bundesliga games and scored 160 goals. With Eintracht he won the UEFA Cup in 1980 and the DFB Cup three times (1974, 1975 and 1981).