Second Acts and comebacks, Part Eleven

1- Uwe Bein and Eintracht Frankfurt, 1989/90

West German midfielder Uwe Bein had bounced around clubs such as Koln and SV Hamburg in the 80s. In 1989, he joined Eintracht Frankfurt to great effect.

His success there earned him a place in the West German National Team and he was part of the 1990 World Cup winning squad.

Photo From:  Panini, World Cup 1990

(Uwe Bein)

2- Mark Hateley and Rangers Glasgow 1990/95

English striker Mark Hateley left AS Monaco in the summer of 1990, seemingly in decline, to join Rangers Glasgow.

The move was successful and he formed an effective striking partnership with Ally McCoist with many goals and titles along the way.

He even earned a recall to the National Team in 1992 (though only for a single match).

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 51, April 1993

(Mark Hateley at Rangers Glasgow, 1992/93 season)

3- Erwin vandenbergh and Gent, 1990/91

Belgian striker Erwin vandenbergh returned to the Belgian League and Gent in the summer of 1990 from his spell abroad at France’s OSC Lille.

By this time he had been out of National Team contention for a number of years.

His first season back at Gent was successful and Guy Thys recalled him to the National Team in 1991.

Photo From:  Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982

(Erwin vandenbergh, September 9, 1981, World cup qualifier, Belgium 2-France 0)

4- Pietro Vierchowod and Sampdoria 1990 and 1993
Italian defender Pietro Vierchowod had last played for Italy in 1986 under Enzo Bearzot. He had been discarded under the new regime of Azeglio Vicini.

However, his form for his club Sampdoria earned him a recall in 1990.

Later under the new regime of Arrigo Sacchi he was discarded again initially. However, he played his back into the National team again in 1993.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1994

(Sampdoria’s Pietro Vierchowod)

5- Alain Roche and Auxerre, 1990/92

Frecnch defender had been out of the National Team set up following his disappointing move to Olympique Marseille (1989/90).

He had joined unfashionable Auxerre in 1990 to resurrect his career. Under the guidance of Manager Guy Roux, Roche was able to salvage his career and earned a transfer to Paris St. Germain in 1992 and also back in the National Team.

Photo From:  France Football, Issue 2438, December 29, 1992

(Alain Roche at Auxerre and at Olympique Marseille (1989/90) marking AS Monaco’s Ramon Diaz)