Basketball: Weltmeistercoach Gordon Herbert speaks on ‘threatening’ heart condition after Covid

Former German basketball national team coach Gordon Herbert has disclosed that he faced a life-threatening health crisis after contracting Covid-19 during his tenure as head coach of FC Bayern Munich. The Canadian revealed he was diagnosed with myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle – and developed an additional heartbeat, a condition doctors described as “very threatening.”

Herbert shared these details in an interview with the online portal basketball-world.news, recounting how he struggled with severe fatigue and cardiac complications in late 2024. “I lay with myocarditis and an extra heartbeat in bed and wondered if I could get through this,” he said, reflecting on the ordeal. “I know that people have already died from this.”

The health emergency unfolded after Herbert contracted a serious case of Covid-19 while coaching Bayern Munich. Medical tests subsequently revealed not only the myocarditis but also that two of his heart valves were not closing properly. Doctors detected the abnormal cardiac rhythm and immediately advised him to withdraw from all activities, effectively removing him from coaching duties for his own safety.

“I was lucky that the doctors discovered the extra heartbeat and took me out of circulation,” Herbert stated. “They ran numerous tests and confirmed I now have the heart of a 40-year-old.” Despite being 67 years old at the time of the interview, he emphasized that his cardiac health had improved significantly following treatment and rest.

Herbert’s illness coincided with a hard period for Bayern Munich in the EuroLeague. He had returned to the bench in mid-October 2024 wearing a face mask, as seen in archival photos, but was absent for three weeks in November due to his condition. Although he made a brief return in December, the club ultimately decided to part ways with him shortly before Christmas following a string of losses in European competition.

Prior to his Munich stint, Herbert had served as head coach of the German national team from 2021 to 2024, leading the squad to its first FIBA Basketball World Cup title in 2023. His international success made the health crisis particularly poignant, as he had recently achieved the pinnacle of his coaching career before facing this personal battle.

Reflecting on the experience, Herbert acknowledged the toll it took, both physically and mentally. “It was a heavy time. I couldn’t imagine that Covid could be so dangerous,” he said. Reports indicate he slept 16 to 17 hours a day during his recovery and spent over two weeks largely bedridden.

Since then, Herbert has undergone a knee operation and stated his overall health is “clearly better.” While he has not returned to a head coaching role as of April 2025, his openness about the cardiac scare has drawn attention to the potential long-term cardiovascular effects of Covid-19, even in individuals who were otherwise active and healthy.

The former national team coach’s account serves as a stark reminder of how the virus can impact vital organs beyond the respiratory system. His willingness to discuss the diagnosis publicly adds to growing awareness among athletes and sports professionals about monitoring heart health post-infection.

As of the latest verified reports, there are no announced plans for Herbert to resume coaching duties immediately. His focus remains on recovery, with medical professionals confirming sustained improvement in his cardiac function.

For continued updates on Gordon Herbert’s health and any future involvement in basketball, readers are encouraged to follow official channels from the German Basketball Federation and trusted sports news outlets.

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