The former cult trainer Otto Rehhagel did advertising in New York for the documentary “King Otto” about his career and winning the European Championship in 2004 as the national soccer coach of outsiders Greece.
However, this EM triumph was not the best moment of his life, said the 83-year-old of the German Press Agency on New York’s Empire State Building. “The happiest moment of my life was when I married my wife and I’m now approaching 60 years of marriage – it was a friendship and love forever.” Rehhagel has been married to his wife Beate since 1963.
Rehhagel also briefly intoned the Frank Sinatra classic “New York, New York” on the Empire State Building. He had been to the metropolis more often, said the ex-coach. “I also had a friend who was also married here, and he also had a pub here, and we visited him.” The viewing platform at a height of around 350 meters above the panorama of New York does not cause him to be afraid of heights. “No, I’ve experienced so much in my life, I don’t know fear.”
The veteran coach, who won the championship title in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen and with the then promoted 1. FC Kaiserslautern, is not drawn back to professional sport. “I’ve traveled around the world a few times, but the sport wasn’t like it is now that we could stay there for so long,” said Rehhagel. “Now that my career is over, of course I have time to look at the beautiful things in life,” emphasized the 83-year-old. He also enjoys being able to look after his friends at home.