Dr. Malte Villnow is an expert in hair transplants. A conversation about the psychological effect of hair problems, prominent patients – and Jürgen Klopp in the waiting room.
The flowing mane of Günter Netzer, the huge curly hair of Colombia’s legend Carlos Valderrama or the ever-changing hairstyles of David Beckham: Individual hair styling has been part of football culture for decades – and beyond. Either confused, wild or pomadic, only the look should be there, not the performance. It is a trademark and offers high recognition value, whether it is the formerly accurately gelled parting of Cristiano Ronaldo or the Afro of Leroy Sané.
But if there are bigger gaps on the head than in the defense of the opponent, then Dr. Malte Villnow into play. The specialist in surgery has been an authority in the field of hair transplantation for years. Stars from sport, show and politics entrust themselves to him, Bundesliga players and Olympic champions as well as party leaders. Villnow, for example, is responsible for the fuller head of hair of Jürgen Klopp, who, when he was the coach of Borussia Dortmund, decided to have an operation and tackled the problem at the root despite extremely successful years and few reasons for tearing hair. Also in the new book “Die Starmacher – How doctors, managers and mental trainers create our sports stars” the doctor has a say by author Daniel Müksch.
In an interview with t-online, the head of a renowned Düsseldorf private clinic speaks about the psychological effects of “head problems”, remembers prominent patients – and reveals what it is like when “Kloppo” suddenly sits in the waiting room.
Luminary in his field: Dr. Malte Villnow. (Source: private)
t-online: Dr. Villnow, what is it like when Jürgen Klopp sits patiently and patiently in the waiting room between other patients until he is called?
Dr. Malte Villnow: First of all: That’s actually true (laughs). I can only say: Kloppo is simply a person who is incredibly grounded. Not at all conceited or difficult in any way. One of us, as the saying goes. He came to the practice for appointments or for follow-up care and sat down with the other patients without any fear of contact. “The Normal One” is his program.
How did the first contact come about? Was there suddenly Jürgen Klopp on the phone to make an appointment for a hair transplant?
I’m a child from Dortmund, a boy from Borsigplatz. A friend of mine was having dinner with him once, when the subject came up and he said: “Well, if you want to go somewhere for that, then go to Villnow.” I even think Klopp actually called back then and said: “I’ll come over!”
Problem packed at the root: Jürgen Klopp on a BVB-PK 2012 (left) and at Liverpool FC 2020. (Source: imago images)
Klopp is considered to be someone who likes to set the tone because of his nature. But if someone in the treatment chair has doubts, is something quieter?
No, he immediately said of his own accord: “We will do that!” He had a relatively large receding hairline back then. So it wasn’t that I had to convince him first.
What amount would you have to invest in a treatment à la Klopp?
The operation cost over 10,000 euros. And in all modesty I have to say: It worked out very well (laughs). After that, the phone never stood still. But I didn’t expect that, it just happened that way. I didn’t go public myself either. It came through media reports in which it was – rightly – said that Jürgen Klopp had had his hair done.
How did he react to it himself at the beginning?
I asked him if it was okay if we wrote ourselves that we had operated on him, and he said: “Yes, of course, I have nothing against that. It turned out well, so why not?” (laughs)
Did that surprise you?
At least that would have been unthinkable in the past. I’ve been doing hair transplants for almost 30 years. At first it was really a taboo subject. The patients were more likely to come through the back door so that nobody would notice. It’s very different nowadays: people deal with it openly, almost like a visit to the dentist.
According to your own estimates, you have performed over 12,000 hair operations. Compared to other patients, are soccer players the little sensitive people they are often mistaken for?
No, on the contrary. First of all, they are capable of suffering, that is what sports life brings with it. And if they want something, then they do it too. They say “I’ll do this now” and it stays that way. It is also openly admitted: “I am vain, it is important to me.” One problem is something else …
And?
In the consultation appointments, we always point out that a break of at least three to four weeks is necessary after the operation. Footballers cannot train again immediately, that would ruin everything again. That is why scheduling is difficult with footballers. A Xherdan Shaqiri, a Markus Anfang or a Karim Bellarabi, who were also being treated by me, had to shovel a little time for themselves.
No clear-cutting: Discus legend Harting 2014 (left) and 2018. (Source: imago images)
Also a Robert Harting – that was a huge operation in the truest sense of the word anyway (laughs). When he was active, he was always in competition, so finding a good time was a feat. Or Christian Lindner, who first had to see when he would have a break in the Bundestag.
How do you see the psychological aspect?
Let me give you an example of this: Germany played the USA at the 2014 World Cup and it was raining heavily. Benedikt Höwedes was particularly troubled with his hair because you could see “everything” there. He said to himself: “That’s enough”. Then his attending doctor called me and made an appointment straight away.
A way to be more self-confident?
There is definitely a great subconscious effect. Footballers in particular, who often value fashion and their appearance, are totally annoyed when something is wrong “up there”. Maybe there will be a saying or two in the cabin. “So, what do you look like?” and similar.
Grown structures: Benedikt Höwedes in the USA game 2014 – and 2018 at Lok Moscow. (Source: imago images)
Another example: My first big football patient was Dick Advocaat when I was running a clinic in the Netherlands. He used to always shy away from standing alone in public because he had to comb his hair from right to left. When he didn’t have to, he looked incredibly liberated. So much had it affected his self-esteem.
And what effect do you feel yourself?
It’s a special feeling. The treatment and personal interaction with one or the other also make you a fan. And when I see a Kloppo, a Shaqiri or a beginning on TV, I think to myself: “Great guy – and a part is made of me ! ” (laughs).
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