Transfers that did not happen, Part Sixteen

1- English Superstar Kevin Keegan could have joined Juventus in 1980 after leaving SV Hamburg. According to the player the Juve Management were wishy-washy. One day, they would say the borders (for transfers) would be open soon and another day no. Keegan lost patience and joined Southampton.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 19, October 1981

(Kevin Keegan at Southampton)

2-Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme, while serving suspension in 1984, as part of the Standard-Waterschei scandal, disclosed that he had been approached by three clubs: Kaiserslautern, Bordeaux and Nottingham Forest (who seemed the most eager).

However, the interested clubs were forced to back out since their respective Federations would not sanction the transfer of suspended players.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 70, November 1994

(Michel Preud’homme)

3- In June 1976,  Benfica contacted former Real Madrid Manager Miguel Munoz. However, Munoz declined on financial terms

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

(Miguel Munoz as Manager of Spain, 1983/84)

4- In the summer of 1992, Bayern Munich wanted to acquire Borussia Dortmund defender Thomas Helmer.

Helmer’s contract stipulated a release fee of 10 Million French Francs, but only to a foreign club and it seemed Dortmund were reluctant to sell him to a Bundesliga competitor.

Bayern General Manager Uli Hoeness (publicly) suggested to French club Auxerre to acquire him and after a few weeks Bayern Munich would come and buy him from them.

In the end, Helmer joined Bayern outright and this faux-transfer did not have to be exercised.

It is also important to note that German National Team Manager Berti Vogts had warned Helmer that if the situation was unresolved he would not be part of the 1992 Euros Finals squad. This could perhaps explain why this option was thought of, because a quick resolution was needed.

Photo From: Sport Bild, Issue 24, June 9, 1998

(Thomas Helmer)

Photo From:  World Soccer, April 2009

(Uli Hoeness)

5- In the summer of 1983, Greek club Panathinaikos offered 1.5 Million Marks to Eintracht Frankfurt for their Austrian defender Bruno Pezzey.

However, Pezzey had already decided to join Werder Bremen and only them. 

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 22, September 1978

(Bruno Pezzey)

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, November December 1984

(Bruno Pezzey at Werder Bremen)

Second Acts and comebacks, Part Seven

1- Oliver Bierhoff and Udinese 1995/96

German striker Oliver Bierhoff had played for a number of teams in the Bundesliga, but had not achieved much. He drifted from the Austrian League to the Italian Serie B in the early 1990s. His big break came when he joined Serie A’s Udinese in 1995. His impressive form there finally earned him International honors and Berti Vogts called him up in 1996. That year he achieved stardom after scoring Germany’s goals in the UEFA European Championships Final vs. Czech Republic.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 110, March 1998

(Oliver Bierhoff at Udinese, 1997/98)

2- Dominique Rocheteau and Paris St. Germain 1985/86

French Striker Dominique Rocheteau’s career seemed in a decline after a disappointing Euro 1984 Tournament. However, his luck turned around in the summer of 1985. His club Paris St. Germain acquired a number of key players to make a challenge for the French league title. Rocheteau regained his form as PSG stormed to the title. His reward was a place on France’s 1986 World Cup team.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 122, February 1986

(Dominique Rocheteau)

3- Rob Wischge and Feyenoord 1991/92

Dutch midfielder Rob Witschge had lost his place in the National Team following his move to French club Saint Etienne in 1989. He returned afterwards to the Dutch League and joined Feyenoord. During this period his younger brother Richard was seen as the future leader of Holland and was a starter in the National Team. However, an injury deprived Richard of participation in the 1992 Euros. Rob Witschge, who had been regaining his form at Feyenoord, was called in his place and became a starter in Holland’s 1992 Euros squad.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 7, August 1989

(Rob Witschge at Saint Etienne, 1989/90)

4- Michel Preud’homme and Mechelen 1986/97
Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme was a promising youngster and had earned caps (1979 –1981) with many more on the horizon.

His involvement in the Standard Liege-Waterschei scandal of 1984 sidetracked his career and he was suspended. After his suspension, a transfer to ambitious side Mechelen changed his fortunes. In late 1987, he overtook Jean-Marie Pfaff as Belgium’s starting goalkeeper and stayed in his position up to the 1994 World Cup.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 96,  March 1988

(Michel Preud’homme)

5- Klaus Allofs and Werder Bremen 1990/93

5-German striker Klaus Allofs joined Werder Bremen in the summer of 1990 after his spell in the French League. He was at the veteran stage of his career was seen to be winding down his career. However, the veteran fit in well at Bremen and helped Werder win the Cup in 1991, the Cup Winners Cup in 1992 and the Bundesliga League title in 1993 to retire in style.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 24, January 1991

(Klaus Allofs at Werder Bremen, 1990/91)