In
a profession known for its cold hard realism, Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Marie
Pfaff was an anomaly as a bon vivant.
In
the 1970s and 1980s, goalkeepers were sober and serious characters epitomized
by his contemporaries such as Dino Zoff, Peter Shilton and Rinat Dassayev.
In
contrast, Pfaff was a clown all too eager to please and entertain the fans.
However,
his bubbly personality and demeanor on the field contrasted sharply with his
dedication to hard work and training off of it.
The
public generally loved him, yet some segments of the Press as well as his
fellow professionals viewed him with suspicion and distrust.
Pfaff
was born on December 4th, 1953 at Lebbeke near Antwerp. He lived in
poverty with a large family consisting of twelve siblings (Six boys and Six
girls, he was the 10th child).
The
family lived in a caravan travelling from city to city selling rugs.
His
father was killed in an automobile accident when he was eleven. At this point,
he believed he could have turned into a delinquent had it not been for the
support of his large family.
Football
also played a part in keeping him in a positive path.
From
a very young age, The Game was in his blood and especially the role of the
goalkeeper. It was the sport that would take him out of a life of poverty.
He
joined the youth set up of nearby club SK Beveren on June 21st, 1965
as an eleven-year old.
He
was (according to himself) short and overweight. The Management would work on
his diet and worked him very hard in shaping the youngster and in time he would
lose the weight and have a growth spurt.
His
visible talent at such a young age would enable to move up the ranks. He was
even called up by Belgium’s UEFA Juniors squad while at schoolboy level.
He
would abandon school at the age of 14 to be fully dedicated to succeeding as a
future professional.
The
eighteen-year old would get his chance to make his debut for the Beveren’s first team on April 9th, 1972 in
a League match vs. Crossing Schaerbeek (1-2 loss). He would play a handful of
matches in the season, but Beveren would be relegated at the end of the season.
The
following season (1972/73) in the Second Division, Pfaff would be elevated as
starting goalkeeper and help his team win immediate promotion by winning the
Second Division title.
The
following season (1973/74) would be Pfaff’s first as a starter in top flight.
Beveren finished in the tenth position, but Pfaff’s performances were not going
unnoticed and his stature was growing as a future heir apparent to Belgium’s
Number one Christian Piot.
For
the time being, National Team Manager restricted Pfaff as a substitute
goalkeeper behind the untouchable Piot.
Goethals
was still not convinced by the talented youngster and felt he was still lacking
in certain areas (especially in the air).
At
the end of that first full season on June 27th, 1974, Pfaff married
Carmen Seth who would not only be his spouse, but also play a larger role in
his career. She would act as his Manager and provide him the much needed
support and peace of mind that a sportsman needed at home.
They
would have three daughters, the first one Debby would be born on May 30th,
1975. Her sisters Kelly and Lyndsey would be born on July 26th, 1977
and October 4th, 1978 respectively.
The
following season (1974/75), with Jef Jurion at the helm, the team fared worse
by finishing in the 12th position. Jurion trained him with the
outfield players to strengthen him.
Jurion
did drop Pfaff for a number of matches. Fortunately (for Pfaff) Jurion was
replaced after this poor season and replaced with Urbain Braems.
Braems
would once again install Pfaff as the starter for the new season (1975/76). The
appointment of Braems would be a turning point in Pfaff’s progress. Braems also
worked him very hard and prepared him for the next step. Pfaff would look upon
Braems as his spiritual father and would be thankful of his influence for the
rest of his career.
He
would manage him on three separate occasions. It was under his tutelage that
Pfaff finally received his long awaited first cap.
This
season (1975/76) would be the turning point for Beveren and Pfaff. The Team
under Braems finished in the sixth position. After being an understudy for the
nearly two years Pfaff was handed his National Team debut towards the end of
the season.
The
Belgians had been virtually eliminated from the Euro Quarterfinals by archrival
neighbors Holland, just weeks earlier (April 25th) in a humiliating
(0-5) loss.
Raymond
Goethals had resigned and the new man in charge was Guy Thys.
Thys
saw the need in rebuilding an ageing side and decided to inject new blood into
the squad. Pfaff started in goal, instead of Christian Piot, for the return leg
of this qualifier in Brussels on May 22nd, 1976.
 |
Photo From: Rode Duivels
& Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems,
Matty Verkamman (1)
(Jean-Marie Pfaff in his International debut unable to
stop Johann Cruyff’s strike, May 22, 1976, UEFA Euroepan Championships, Belgium
1-Holland 2) |
Belgium
lost once more (1-2) but Pfaff was involved in an incident that would raise
eyebrows. After the Great Johann Cruyff had scored on him with a beautiful lob,
Pfaff had congratulated him. His action was seen with certain cynicism from the
press who were baffled by his motives. Pfaff insisted that his actions had been
misinterpreted. He maintained that he wanted to congratulate him because it had
been a beautiful goal and he was acting sportsmanlike. This was just one
incident that perhaps confirmed his reputation as a difficult character.
Pfaff
believed that it was another incident from which the Press falsely attached him
the ‘difficult’ tag. Pfaff claimed that in his early days in the National Team
he was the sole Beveren player. Most players were from the Big three clubs
(Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Club Brugge). According to Pfaff, the players
from those clubs did not mix with others and stayed together (played cards,
etc).
As
a result, one day in the training camp with the National Team, he grew tired
and started going out walking and jogging in the vicinity. A reporter saw him
and started asking him questions and according to Pfaff falsely deduced that
there was trouble within the camp with him and others and reported it.
The
next season (1976/77) Beveren struggled in the League and finished in the
bottom half. At the National Team Thys
kept faith with the more experienced Piot as the World Cup 1978 Qualifiers got
underway.
For
the (1977/78) season, Thys elevated Pfaff as the starting goalkeeper after Piot
retired from the National Team.
It
was a memorable season for the Team as they finished fifth in the League.
Pfaff
won his first major silverware as Beveren triumphed in the Belgian League after
defeating Charleroi (2-0) on May 21st, 1978.
His
growing stature was underlined when at the end of the year he was elected as
‘Soulier d’Or’, Belgium’s player of the year. He became only the fourth
goalkeeper to do so.
He
had grown into a goalkeeper known for his excellent reflexes and his ability to
launch attacks with quick throws. The main criticism about his game was mostly
about the mental aspects. He was seen as too reckless and impatient which would
lead to mistakes most notably in coming out of line too soon (as would be
witnessed later during the 1982 World Cup vs. Hungary).
 |
Photo From: Mirroir du
Football, January 24, 1979
(Jean-Marie Pfaff in with young fans during his time
at Beveren)
rike, May 22, 1976, UEFA Euroepan Championships, Belgium
1-Holland 2) |
However,
winning this award also brought out the publicity seeking aspect of his
character. For starters he started wearing a necklace of the ‘Soulier d’Or. He
also tried to exploit publicity of his award in his Sports Shop, to such an
extent that the organizers of the trophy threatened a lawsuit on the grounds
that it was ‘unlawful usage of a
product’.
The
following season (1978/79) would be Pfaff’s most successful yet. The man
responsible for his ascension Urbain Braems had left the club after winning the
Cup Title. The new man in charge at
Beveren was Robert Goethals. The small unfashionable squad beat all odds and
ended up as Champions of Belgium (Pfaff’s first League title).
 |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 40,
April 1979
(Jean-Marie Pfaff in action
with Beveren)
|
 |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 40,
April 1979
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with Beveren’s title winning squad,
1978/79) |
In Pfaff’s first
foray in a European Competition, Beveren reached the semifinals of the Cup
Winners Cup before being eliminated by eventual winners Barcelona.
The
sky seemed the limit for the still semi-professional Pfaff, who still worked at
a Bank part-time. Beveren was appearing smaller and smaller for his ambitions.
His
affairs were being managed by his wife Carmen who had to contend with a flurry
of offers from the likes of Anderlecht, Ajax, Feyenoord, Schalke, Twente
Enschede and AZ’67 Alkmaar among others.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, old
series, Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with Barcelona’s Hansi Krankl during
the 1979 Cup Winners Cup semifinals in April 1979) |
He
stayed put at Beveren for the new season (1979/80) but Beveren were unable to
maintain the previous seasons’ successes and struggled and finished mid-table.
They
did reach the Cup Final but were deprived of any silverware after losing to
Waterschei (1-2) in the Final.
Pfaff
also lost his starting position at the National Team to Theo Custers as Belgium
qualified for the 1980 Euros.
Into
the spring of 1980, Custers was the starter and looked likely to be the starter
at the Euros. However, just before the Euros, Thys opted to start with Pfaff.
Pfaff
would reward him with excellent performances as the under-rated Belgians
reached the Final by finishing first and undefeated in a Group with the Hosts
Italy, England and Spain.
West
Germany defeated Belgium (2-1) in the Final, but Pfaff and Belgium’s star was
on the rise in the International Level.
 |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 55,
July 1980
(Jean-Marie Pfaff, June 12, 1980, UEFA European
Championships, Belgium 1-England 1) |
 |
Photo From: Mondial, New
series, issue 5, August 1980
(Jean-Marie Pfaff, June 18, 1980, UEFA European
Championships, Italy 0-Belgium 0) |
He
was now firmly established as Belgium’s number one and in addition was now
considered as one of the continent’s best.
Away
from the field he was showed his business acumen by a running a Sports Goods
Shop in Beveren and developed a glove specially designed for wet conditions.
He
also ran a goalkeeping school for the young in Beveren.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, old
series, Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979
(Jean-Marie Pfaff in front of his Sports Shop in
Beveren) |
The
following season (1980/81) was a difficult season for Pfaff. He started well as
Belgium started their qualification for the 1982 World Cup in a tough group
containing their Dutch neighbors, France and Republic of Ireland (as well as
Cyprus).
Although
Beveren did well that season (finishing Fourth), Pfaff would miss the majority
of the second half of the season as he was serving a four months suspension
(Until June 30th, 1981).
He
was accused of kicking a Linesman on the way to the dressing rooms in a Belgian
Cup match on February 21, 1981 vs. Lokeren (2-2). There were no witnesses but
the Linesman in question (Mr. Thirion) had made a note of the incident and
Pfaff was suspended.
In
his absence in springtime, Belgium suffered their first loss in the qualifiers
vs. France (2-3) on April 29th, 1981, with Michel Preud’homme
starting in Pfaff’s place.
Pfaff
would be back the following season (1981/82) as Belgium qualified for the World
Cup.
It
would also be his last season with Beveren (finishing Seventh with Urbain Braems
back at the helm) ending an association of nearly 17 years.
The
main event for that end of the season would be the World Cup in Spain.
This
World Cup would display both sides of Pfaff’s personality. He would be as
indispensable on the Field as he was controversial off of it.
Belgium
played in the Opener vs. Defending Champions Argentina on June 13th
at Barcelona. Naturally all the attention was on the new superstar of World
Football Diego Maradona. But it was Pfaff who outshone the Argentine on the field
as he had an impeccable match in Belgium’s upset (1-0) victory.
 |
Photo From: Spain '82, The
Winning of the World Cup, Authors Phil Soar and Richard Wdidows
(June 13, 1982, World cup, Belgium 1-Argentina 0) |
 |
Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº
3273 (1984)
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with Diego
Maradona following the World Cup 1982 Opener)
|
He
was equally remarkable in Belgium’s next match vs. El Salvador, which yielded
another (1-0) win.
However,
all was not well in the Belgian camp and there was an incident at the Team Hotel
during the World Cup that would start the process of alienating him from the
rest of the squad.
During a team get together with the Press at their
Hotel ‘Huerto
del Cura’, a Radio Commentator had pushed Pfaff in the swinning
pool as a prank. Pfaff started panicking because apparently he couldn’t swim.
To
many he had made such a big fuss and ‘pretended’ to be drowning.
 |
Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº
3273 (1984)
(Jean-Marie Pfaff at Hotel Huerto del Cura) |
In
another incident he had called the Police after he had seen someone enter
teammate Rene Verheyn’s room (It turned out to be Verheyn’s wife).
Their
next and Final match in the Group would be the crucial one vs. Hungary on June
22nd. Belgium came away with
a (1-1) tie that they needed to qualify, but it was Pfaff’s performance on and
later off the field that would end his World Cup.
In
the 55th minute of the match, he came out to intercept a cross,
destined to Hungary’s Andras Torocsik, with such ferocity that he struck his
teammate Eric Gerets and injured him in the process.
Later
on, he also nearly injured Hungary’s Laszlo Fazekas in rushing out for s
similar attempt.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, New
Series, Hors Serie 16, 1982
(Jean-Marie Pfaff during the 1982 World Cup) |
It
was obvious that the previous days’ events were getting to him and affecting
his game. In the meantime, an ambulance had been called to
take Gerets to the hospital. The ambulance arrived after the match, however,
Pfaff got in there first because of a dubious shoulder injury, so Gerets was
forced to stay behind in anger with the rest of the squad. The
shoulder injury turned out to be a very minor one. This behavior enraged Thys (along with the rest of the squad) and he took the
decision to to drop Pfaff for the remainder of the World Cup.
Belgium lost both their matches
in the second Round without Pfaff to Poland (0-3, with Custers in the net) and
the Soviet Union (0-1 with Jacques Munaron in the goal).
A Belgium Federation Official Mr.
Ruiter described Pfaff as an immature child who only sought publicity.
After the World Cup, Pfaff joined
the mighty West
German powerhouse Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga for a fee of 225,000. He was eager for a bigger stage and Bayern
seemed ideal. He had declared that he had already won the League title and the
‘Soulier d’Or’ in Belgium and was now ready for the bigger stage of the
Bundesliga.
Since
the retirement of the Great Sepp Maier a few years before (one of Pfaff’s idols
in addition to Lev Yashin and Gordon Banks), they had not found a suitable
replacement in Walter Junghaus (deemed too inexperienced) nor Manfred Muller
(considered to old).
Pfaff
appeared the International quality goalkeeper they were looking for (as well as
having a sense of humor reminiscent of Maier).
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
January february 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with his idol Sepp Maier) |
He
would later reveal some of the difficulties as he arrived such as not speaking
the Language and the fact that Manfred Muller and Raimond Aumann (the other
goalkeepers) were visibly opposed to his arrival.
There
were also some frictions within the squad. Had it not been for the support of
his wife Carmen he would not have joined Bayern. She encouraged him to join
Bayern, since he would not achieve glory by staying in Beveren.
To
achieve his ambitions, he had to leave the friendly atmosphere of Beveren for
the cold, professional and unforgiving World of Bayern.
Apparently,
he had also requested the Management to make Sepp Maier the goalkeeping coach
but his request was refused.
Pfaff
received a rude awakening in his baptism in the Bundesliga on August 21st,
1982 vs. Werder Bremen after letting in a comical own goal.
Bremen’s
Uwe Reinders took a long throw in from the left side towards the goalmouth,
Pfaff only managed to touch it with the tip of his fingers and the ball went in
the net. Needless to say, the Media was merciless as they questioned the sum
paid for his services after such a comical goal.
 |
Photo From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 22, March 1983
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with Klaus
Aughentlaer in his Bundeliga debut, August 21, 1982, Werder Bremen 1-Bayern
Munich 0)
|
Afterwards,
the Media also analyzed his every move and every decision during matches.
A
lesser player might have crumbled under such pressure, but Pfaff shrugged off
the incident by saying that it could have happened to anybody.
Such
was Pfaff’s mental strength that he slowly earned his way back and won over the
Bavarian crowd with solid displays.
The
Turning point for him was in a match vs. Defending Champions SV Hamburg on
October 9th. Hamburg had taken a (2-0) in Munich and appeared headed for win.
At
one point during the match, Pfaff tried to motivate the crowd by running
towards the South stands and with his arm movements indicated to the crowd to
root for the team.
Bayern
clawed their way back and tied the match (2-2) in the 89th Minute.
However,
moments later Hamburg were awarded a penalty kick after Udo Horsmann had fouled
Jurgen Milewski in the box. The normally dependable Manfred Kaltz was charged
with the decisive kick. Pfaff rose to the occasion and saved the penalty kick
and completely won over the crowd.
Many
marveled with the ease with which he had adapted to the Bundesliga in such a
short time. His popularity rivaled that of Bayern superstar Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge.
After
only a few months in Munich, he was regularly receiving 400 to 600 fan letters
per day.
 |
Photo From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 22, March 1983
(Jean-Marie Pfaff training hard in the snow) |
 |
Photo From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 22, March 1983
(Jean-Marie Pfaff training hard in the snow) |
From
then on the Bayern faithful would chant ‘Jean-Marie, Jean-Marie’ during
matches.
He
was also always ready to engage and laugh with the fans and happily sign
autographs. Rummenigge remarked that Pfaff would be tired of signing autographs
after six months, but to the end of his tenure with Bayern, Pfaff was always
there for the fans.
He
was also very eager to engage with the media and was always ready for
interviews. He would famously hand out his business card to journalists at a
time when most players avoided such easy access to the media.
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
January february 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff and family in Bavaria) |
Many
criticized his relations with media as shameless self-promotion. There was one
occasion when Bayern teammate Wolfgang Grobe (who was also Pfaff’s neighbor)
was being interviewed by a Football magazine. As part of their story they
wanted a photograph of him in his backyard. Reportedly, Grobe had joked that
they better hurry because Pfaff would be home in a couple of minutes and would
also insist to be in the photograph (Pfaff later in an interview stated that
Grobe had denied to him this exchange).
Another
point of contention of some of his teammates were his good relations with
Bayern Manager Pal Csernai (that most players were opposed to).
Despite
these issues, in general everything seemed rosy for Pfaff at that point, who
had also been impressed with the German discipline and work ethic in training.
He was impressed with their Football mentality that included daily training of
double sessions, indoor matches in winter and other Tournaments. He remarked
that in Belgium he had time to work outside of Football but not in Germany,
where one had to be fully dedicated to succeed.
He
even indicated his desire to extend his contract beyond his initial expiration
date of June 1985. He also stated that he would want to stay in West Germany
beyond his football career.
Such
was his popularity in this first season, that when ‘Fussball Magazin’ conducted
their monthly Interview (where fans sent their questions via mail), he broke
the record of the number of letters received that had been set by Pierre
Littbarski.
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
Issue 2, March April 1983
(Jean-Marie Pfaff answering letters posed by the
readers of Fussball Magazin) |
When
at the end of the year 1982, ‘Kicker Sportsmagazin’ designated Harald Schumacher
as ‘World Class’ but Pfaff was designated the lesser status of ‘International
Quality’, insults were sent to the magazine for this oversight.
Koln
goalkeeper Harald Schumacher would also become an arch nemesis in many ways.
Pfaff like most had been outraged by Schumacher’s vicious foul on the Frenchman
Patrick Battiston during the 1982 World Cup.
He
further harbored resentment when during the League match between their
respective clubs Schumacher refused to shake his hand. He would view Schumacher
with disdain for the rest of his Bundesliga career.
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
January february 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff and Harald Schumacher) |
At
International Level, Thys had also forgiven him and he was back in the fold as
a starter. Belgium were engaged in the Euro qualifiers in a Group with
Scotland, Switzerland and East Germany and seemed on their way to qualify after
winning their opening two matches vs. Switzerland and Scotland. In the match
vs. Scotland on December 15th, (3-2 Belgium win) he came to the
rescue as he saved a penalty kick by Frankie Gray in the 78th
minute.
Pfaff
believed that it was after this performance that his Belgian teammates finally
‘understood’ him after four years. He remarked how teammate Ludo Coeck
acknowledged him and thanked him.
 |
Photo From: France Football,
Issue 1915, December 21, 1982
(Jean-Marie Pfaff, December
15, 1982, EC Qualifier, Belgium 3-Scotland 2)
|
At
the end of the season, Italy’s Napoli were eyeing him for a possible transfer,
but Bayern set his fee at three times his initial signing fee to ward off
suitors.
The
following season (1983/84), Pfaff would have a new boss at Bayern as Udo
Latteck was appointed to lead the squad. Pfaff would credit him for bringing
back discipline to the squad.
Pfaff’s
popularity with the fans grew even stronger and it was estimated that by the
end of the season, he was receiving up to 3,000 fan letters per week.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 49, April 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff mobbed by Bayern Munich fans) |
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
January february 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff and young fans in Munich) |
The
highlight of the early parts of the season would be in the UEFA Cup, in a match
vs. Greece’s PAOK, he helped Bayern qualify in a penalty kick shoot-out. He
saved PAOK’s ninth! attempt and scored himself with the ensuing kick to help
Bayern advance.
However,
reports also surfaced that Pfaff felt he was cold shouldered by senior Bayern
players such as Klaus Aughentaler and Wolfgang Dremmler.
In
an article he was alleged to have criticized his teammates by describing them
as arrogant and overpaid.
In
another incident, Pfaff was celebrating his 30th Birthday in a
Munich Restaurant in Munich with his teammates. However, the players were
dismayed once they realized he had also invited reporters further underlining
his reputation as a self-promoter.
The
familiar atmosphere of Beveren was in contrast to the cold reality of a
club like Bayern.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 49, April 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge ) |
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
January february 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with a marching band) |
It was
only his excellent performances on the pitch that perhaps went a long way in
mending his relationship with the doubters in the team.
Pfaff
believed that the team gradually came to understand and respect him on and off
the field.
Pfaff
would win his first trophy with Bayern at the end of that season after they
defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach in a penalty kick shoot-out after a (1-1)
tie in the Final of West German Cup (DfB Pokal).
 |
Photo From: Fussball Magazin,
Issue 6, November December 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with the 1984 DfB Pokal) |
During
the season, Pfaff would also earn his 40th cap vs. Poland (April 17th,
1984, 1-0 win) at Warsaw, which tied him with Piot as the most capped
goalkeeper for Belgium. He also captained the side that day.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 49, April 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff working hard in training) |
 |
Photo From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 36, June 1984
|
Belgium
had qualified for the Euros in the Fall; however, in the new year (1984) a
scandal would rock Belgium Football that would adversely affect the National
Team. The Standard-Waterschei scandal would deprive Belgium of its Captain Eric
Gerets and defensive partner Walter Meeuws.
Thys
would be forced to select a somewhat unprepared squad for the Euros.
Many
also questioned Pfaff’s mental strength for the Finals of a Tournament after
his antics during the 1982 World Cup. Thys maintained confidence in his number
one. Thys felt that for a short Tournament like the Euros (15 days), Pfaff is
manageable; it is for longer duration Tournaments that he became difficult.
Belgium
won their first match in the Euros vs. Yugoslavia (2-0) but days later at
Nantes, Pfaff and his Belgian teammates were completely destroyed (0-5) by a
France squad with Platini at his best.
 |
Photo From: France Football,
Issue 1993, June 19, 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff, June 13, 1984, UEFA European
Championships, Belgium 2-Yugoslavia 0) |
 |
Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie
19, 1984
(Jean-Marie Pfaff unable to stop Alain Giresse from
scoring France’s second goal, June 16, 1984, UEFA European Championships,
France 5-Belgium 0) |
Pfaff
would once again come under scrutiny for criticizing his teammates after such a
display, by Pfaff would insist that things had to be said.
They
still had an outside chance to qualify for the semifinals, but lost to a
burgeoning Danish squad (2-3).
The
Euros had been a complete disaster for Belgium and Pfaff. As the new season
(1984/85) rolled around Pfaff was beset by other problems.
He
missed the start of the season after a hernia operation. He was also involved
in a traffic accident involving two nuns (tragically one of them was killed).
At
this point Pfaff was at his lowest ebb, not only physically but emotionally as
well. The trauma of the accident was weighing heavily on him. Once again he
would acknowledge the role of his wife Carmen who helped through this difficult
period. Raimond Aumann and Jacques Munaron stepped in to cover for him at club
and International Level.
He
also had to contend with the rumor of Bayern signing Harald Schumacher. To
which Pfaff replied that Bayern would be spending more money and have
controversy every week.
The
disappointed Pfaff at first asked for a transfer but Bayern’s General Manager
Uli Hoeness refused his request. Pfaff trained hard and made his way back in
the squad in November. He was on hand when Bayern Munich won the League title
(and also reached the Final of the West German Cup). In all he played fourteen
league matches that season.
The
following season (1985//86) he started well and was on hand as Belgium
qualified for the World Cup at the expense of neighbors Holland.
He
was injured in November and had a lengthy time off and only returned to action
in March.
In
his absence Aumann and especially Munaron at the National Team had once again
ably covered for him. His position for the World Cup was in doubt as Munaron
was pushing him hard for his spot.
In
the end Pfaff once again reclaimed his spot (playing 24 matches in the League)
with excellent performances with Bayern and helped the West German club to a
second successive Bundesliga Title (in fact as double as Bayern also triumphed
in the West German Cup).
 |
Photo From: France Football,
Issue 2146, May 26, 1987
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with the 1986 DfB Pokal, May 3,
1986, Bayern Munich 5-Stuttgart 2) |
The
World Cup in Mexico would be a memorable one for Pfaff and Belgium.
They
came out from the first round without impressing much (Losing to hosts Mexico
(1-2), defeating Iraq (2-1) and tying Paraguay (2-2)). Pfaff had already
conceded five goals.
It
was in the second Round that the Belgians came alive to be one of the surprises
of the Tournament. On June 15th, 1986, they faced the much-favored
Soviet Union. They fell behind twice in the match but forced a tie. The match
went into extra time and the Belgians took the initiative and defeated the
Soviets (4-3).
They
were paired with Spain in the quarterfinals on June 22nd. Once again
the match ended in a tie (1-1) in regulation time and had to go to extra time.
The score remained the same after overtime and the match went into a penalty
kick shoot-out. Pfaff came to the rescue by saving Eloy’s attempt (Spain’s
second attempt) and help Belgium advance to the semifinals.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 76, July 1986
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with East German Referee Siegfied Kirschen, June 22, 1986, World Cup,
Belgium 1-Spain 1) |
It
was said that when Belgian King Baudouin received the squad upon their return,
Pfaff had jokingly asked the King whether the Queen Fabiola (of Spanish Origin)
had held it against him for saving Eloy’s penalty kick.
The
semifinals were against Diego Maradona and Argentina on June 25th.
This time Belgium had no answer to stop Maradona at the top of his game in
scoring twice for a (2-0) win. Pfaff would later express regret that the Team
felt defeated before even taking the field vs. Argentina much like the attitude
shown before the 1980 Euro Final vs. West Germany.
 |
Photo From: Mondial, new
series, issue 76, July 1986
(Jean-Marie Pfaff unable to stop Maradona, June 25, 1986, World Cup, Argentina 2-Belgium
0) |
All
that was left was the third place match vs. France on June 28th
(that also went to overtime after a 2-2 tie in regulation time). The more tired
Belgians were resigned and were defeated (2-4). Nevertheless, this was
Belgium’s best ever showing at a World Cup in no small part thanks to Pfaff.
His
performances in Mexico earned him the nickname ‘El Simpatico’.
That
same year (1986) his wax figure was unveiled at Brussels’ ‘L’Historium’ Museum.
 |
Photo From: Le Dictionnaire Des Diables
Rouges
|
The
new season (1986/87) did not start well as far as the National Team. Belgium
were involved in the 1988 Euro qualifiers. On September 10th, 1986
at home, Belgium tied with the Republic of Ireland (2-2). Pfaff criticized
teammate Frank van der Elst’s ability as Libero in the match. Thys promptly
dropped him for Belgium’s next qualifier vs. Luxembourg on October 14, 1986.
Jacques Munaron stood in for Pfaff in the (6-0) win. He regained his place
afterwards for the rest of the season.
He
would have a better season in the daily grind of the Bundesliga. He clinched a
third straight title with Bayern Munich at the end of that season (1986/87).
In
the Champions Cup, he had his best run with Bayern Munich that ultimately ended
in disappointment as the much-favored Bavarians were defeated by Portugal’s
Porto (1-2) in the Final.
However,
in the Semifinal Round, his performance vs. Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in
April 2nd, 1987, is the stuff of legends as he kept at bay the
rampant Real Madrid onslaught and limited them to a single goal (1-0 Real win)
and elimination (after 4-1 win at Munich). It must be remembered that in those
days, overturning deficits in European matches at Bernabeu was also part of the
Football folklore. He performed his heroics that day despite being bombarded
with projectiles from Real fans. He would praise the French Referee Michel
Vautrot for keeping control of the match. Part of the Real supporters hostility
was due to the fact that the day before the match Pfaff had indicated they
would break the Bernabeu curse.
 |
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo,
Issue 640 (Number 18), April 29-May 5, 1987
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with Andreas Brehme, April 22, 1987,
Champions Cup, Real Madrid 1-Bayern Munich 0) |
Towards
the end of that season, his rival Harald Schumacher at Koln released his
controversial autobiography in which he accused many of his teammates of dope
taking, etc.
Pfaff
called the book an absolute scandal and false. He remarked that after the
‘Battiston incident’ in 1982, Schumacher had been very lucky that his teammates
had defended him. Instead he had written a book denouncing them as dope takers.
At
the end of that season, he re-signed for two more seasons and indicated his
career was far from over and would like to continue until he was past the age
40.
For
his excellent performances that year, The International Federation of Football
History and Statistics (IFFHS)
elected Pfaff as the World Goalkeeper of the year 1987.
 |
Photo From: France Football, Issue 2188,
March 15, 1988
(Jean-Marie Pfaff with the IFFHS goalkeeper of the
year award) |
Pfaff
started his sixth and Final season with Bayern Munich for the (1987/88) season.
It would be a difficult season for Pfaff for club and country.
He
would play his last match for the National Team in this season. This was in
Belgium’s Euro qualifier at Sofia vs. Bulgaria on September 23rd,
1987. The loss (0-2) would be detrimental for Belgium who would eventually miss
out on qualification. This was Pfaff’s Final and 64th cap after more
than eleven years. All of his caps had been earned under Guy Thys.
Michel
Preud’homme would be installed as the new Number One. Pfaff believed that he
was removed as Belgium’s starting goalkeeper due to commercial reasons. He felt
the new Sponsors had forced the Management to remove him. He believed without
this intervention he could have become the recordman of Belgian caps.
 |
Photo From: Rode Duivels
& Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems,
Matty Verkamman (1)
(Jean-Marie Pfaff in his penultimate match for
Belgium, September 9, 1987, Holland 0-Belgium 0) |
The
club season was also disappointing as Werder Bremen broke Bayern’s three-season
stranglehold on the Bundesliga. This was the first season under the Management
Jupp Heynckes following the departure of Udo Latteck.
The
writing was on the wall that this would be his last season as he was open to
receiving offers. Manchester United had approached Bayern, but the fee was set
too high. This was done without Pfaff’s knowledge and dismay.
 |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 136,
April 1987
(Jean-Marie Pfaff and family) |
He
believed all initial contact should go through his wife Carmen. He urged other
clubs not to make the same mistake as Manchester United and contact him first.
During
the season Pfaff once more fuelled controversy by requesting his club to
postpone his trainings on Sundays so that he devout Catholic could attend Mass.
His
Sister also passed away in the spring of 1988 to further compound on a negative
season.
Bayern
Management decided to give Raimond Aumann his long awaited chance as the Number
One for the upcoming season.
They
wanted to start a new cycle with new younger players and Pfaff was on his way
out.
Now
in the declining stage of his career he decided to return home and joined
modest side SK Lierse for the (1988/89) season to wind down his career.
The
Team finished in mid-table and at the end of the season Pfaff packed his bags
once more to leave the country.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, December 1987
|
He
followed the example of his nemesis Harald Schumacher and joined the Turkish
League by signing for Trabzonspor for the (1989/90) season.
The
fact that his former mentor Urbain Braems was the Manager there certainly helped
his decision.
He
tried to instill some of the traits he had learned in West Germany to help the
team be more Professional and modern.
This
would turn out to be his final season as a Professional. He managed to reach
the Turkish Cup Final with his club but they lost in the Final to Besiktas
(0-2).
Pfaff
retired at the end of that season after nearly two decades as a Professional.
He
organized his Farewell Match at Beerschot in 1991. It was a match-up of the
Belgium squad of the 1980s vs. a World XI Selection that included the likes of
Franz Beckenbauer, Alain Giresse, Ruud Krol, Michel Platini, Soren Lerby and
Roger Milla among others.
After
his career he had stints as a Goalkeeping Coach at KFC Herentals and VfB
Stuttgart. His only Head Managerial post was a solitary season at KV Osstende
during the (1998/99) season that ended in disappointment. Clearly he was not
made for Management.
The
ever entertainer he reveled in the new interest in Reality Television and
starred in a Reality Show featuring his entire family (wife, three daughters
and their respective families). The show called ‘De Pfaffs’ was successful and
ran for eleven seasons from 2002 to 2011 and also made celebrities out of his
three daughters: Debby, Kelly and Lyndsey.
Jean-Marie
Pfaff always remained amiable and loved by the public but not always with the
critics, players and Management.
He
always remembered his difficult childhood and knew the value of hard work after
having worked in a milk factory, the Post Office and even a Bank.
He
felt one should remain a friendly person even after they have achieved success.
Those
who knew him believed he would help anyone in need.
His
spell at Bayern had made him even more ‘Professional’ according to him. It had
changed his attitude off the field in not only in matters concerning training
but also Contracts, Sponsorships, etc.
Of
course it was this aspect that was largely viewed with skepticism by the media
who only saw him as a publicity hound. Pfaff believed he was largely
misunderstood especially from the Flemish Press.
This
was exemplified when he was elected as IFFHS’s World Goalkeeper of the year in
1987; he only received two votes from fellow Belgians.
He
had boasted that ‘there was Eddy Merckx in Bicycling, now there is Pfaff in
Football’.
While
the critics found him arrogant, he felt his charisma had been vital in making
Belgian goalkeepers noticeable in the International Arena and others such as
Michel Preud’homme had benefited from his hard work.
He
was a ferocious trainer and his work ethic could never be questioned. He was a
perfectionist whose ambition guided him to heights he never could have
imagined.
The
indelible image that defines Pfaff was in a Bayern match that was played under
pouring rain. At one point he went over to the stands and grabbed an umbrella
from one of the fans and sat on a chair behind the goal.
Pfaff
believed that the Public paid a lot of money and his role is to entertain yet
remain Professional.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 136, April 1987
|
References:
Mondial, old series,
Hors-Serie, Issue 7, 1979
Mirroir du Football, January
24, 1979
Onze, Issue 40, April 1979
World Soccer, April 1981
Mondial, New Series, Hors
Serie 13, 1982
EL GRAFICO Nº 3273 (1982)
Fussball Magazin, Issue 2,
March April 1983
Foot Magazine, Issue 22,
March 1983
Fussball Magazin, January
february 1984
Mondial, new series, issue
49, April 1984
Foot Magazine, Issue 36, June
1984
Fussball Magazin, Issue 6,
November December 1984
Mondial, Hors Serie 3, 1986
World Soccer, February 1986
Onze, Issue 136, April 1987
France Football, Issue 2146, May 26, 1987
France Football, Issue 2188,
March 15, 1988
Onze-Mondial, Issue 93,
October 1996
Rode Duivels & Oranje
Leeuwen, 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman
Le Dictionnaire Des Diables
Rouges
thanks master! i'm still waiting for full of magazine, especially is World Soccer.
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