German football mourns the loss of former world champion Dieter Herzog. According to his former club Bayer Leverkusen, the former winger died last week at the age of 79. As of Thursday evening, no information was available about the circumstances of his death.
Herzog was part of the squad for eventual title winners Germany at the 1974 home World Cup in Germany. The former Düsseldorfer was used in national coach Helmut Schön’s team during the World Cup tournament in the second round matches with the former Yugoslavia (2:0) and Sweden (4:2).
Successful with Leverkusen and Düsseldorf
After a total of only five international matches, the Oberhausen native’s career with the national team ended in the same year. For the World Cup triumph, Herzog received the Silver Laurel Leaf together with his colleagues from the German Football Association (DFB) selection.
As a club player, Herzog achieved promotion to the Bundesliga with Fortuna Düsseldorf in 1971 and eight years later with Bayer Leverkusen. Three years before the success with the Werkself, his move as world champion from Düsseldorf to their then second-class neighbors Leverkusen caused a stir. Herzog ended his professional career under the Bayer Cross in 1983 after a total of 394 appearances (201 for Düsseldorf and 193 for Leverkusen).
“Will never be forgotten”
“At Bayer 04 he will never be forgotten as a player, colleague and special person,” wrote the Leverkusen team. Fortuna also “bowed to one of the great players in the club’s history and will honor Dieter Herzog’s memory,” the club wrote. Herzog has left a “lasting impact on the club. His sporting achievements, his modesty and his connection to the club will never be forgotten.”
