Gerd Mueller in 2007. (Photo By Christophe95)
Striker Gerd Mueller, who filled the net for Bayern Munich and the West German national team, died Sunday morning.
He was 75.
Mueller, who also played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the original North American Soccer League,
was nicknamed Der Bomber for his prolific scoring rate.
“Today, the world of FC Bayern stands still,” Bayern Munich wrote on its website with its club logo in black.
He amassed a record 365 goals for Bayern in the Bundesliga during the 1960s and 70s, while adding 68 scores for West Germany in 62 internationall matches.
Mueller was a standout for club and country. He was a Bundesliga champion and DFB Pokal Cup winner four times each. He was a member of 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup teams, scoring the winning goal in the final in Munich against the Netherlands.
“Today is a sad, black day for FC Bayern and its fans,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said in a statement. “Gerd Mueller was the greatest striker there has ever been — and a fine person, a personality in world football. Without Gerd Mueller, FC Bayern would not be the club we all love today.
“His name and the memory of him will live on forever.”
Added CEO Oliver Kahn: “The news of Gerd Müller’s death deeply saddens us all. He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of FC Bayern, his achievements are unrivalled to this day and will forever be a part of the great history of FC Bayern and all of German football. As a player and a person, Gerd Müller stands for FC Bayern and its development into one of the biggest clubs in the world like no other. Gerd will forever be in our hearts.”
Mueller had been suffering from dementia.
After completing his Bundsliga career, Mueller joined the Strikers as he tallied 38 goals in 71 matches from 1979-81.
He is survived by his wife Uschi and a daughter.
