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Football

15th Aug 2021

Germany and Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller dies, aged 75

Simon Lloyd

RIP Der Bomber

Legendary Bayern Munich and Germany striker Gerd Muller has passed away at the age of 75, the Bundesliga champions have confirmed.

“Today the world of FC Bayern stands still,” a statement posted to Bayern’s website reads. “The German record champions and its entire fan base mourn Gerd Müller who died early Sunday morning at the age of 75.”

Muller’s prolific goalscoring record – which earned him the nickname Der Bomber – saw him score 566 goals in 607 competitive appearances for Bayern. He averaged better than a goal every game for the German national side, with 68 goals to show for his 62 caps.

Muller won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern along with three European Cups. At international level, he won the 1972 European Championships and the World Cup two years later – scoring the winning goal as West Germany beat Netherlands 2-1 in the final in Munich.

Following his retirement, he remained with Bayern as a youth coach.

“The news of Gerd Müller’s death deeply saddens us all,” said Oliver Kahn, Bayern’s CEO. “He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of FC Bayern, his achievements are unrivalled to this day and will forever be a part of the great history of FC Bayern and all of German football.

“As a player and a person, Gerd Müller stands for FC Bayern and its development into one of the biggest clubs in the world like no other. Gerd will forever be in our hearts.”