The German football community is mourning the loss of Peter Hermann, one of the country’s most respected and enduring assistant coaches. He died on Saturday at the age of 74 following a long illness, according to announcements from Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. Hermann, who suffered from the nervous system disorder ALS, spent decades shaping top-flight clubs and working alongside some of the sport’s most successful managers.
A Quiet Titan of the German Sidelines
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family, relatives and many companions,” Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer said in a statement.
Bayer Leverkusen Managing Director Simon Rolfes similarly honored Hermann as “a truly great personality of German football,” pointing to a career that spanned more than 1,000 professional matches on the sidelines.
The Quintessential Right-Hand Man
Hermann earned a reputation as the quintessential assistant coach, often commanding more respect and renown within the industry than many head coaches.
His career included prominent stints at Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, FC Schalke 04, Hamburger SV, and various German youth national teams run by the German Football Association (DFB).
The Historic 2013 Treble in Munich
His most enduring legacy is closely tied to his partnership with Jupp Heynckes. When Heynckes took over at Bayern Munich, Hermann followed as an indispensable part of the coaching staff.
That collaboration culminated in the historic 2013 treble, when Bayern Munich became the first German club to win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League in a single season. When Heynckes returned to manage Bayern for a second stint in the autumn of 2017, Hermann once again joined him in Munich.
Health Struggles and Final Tributes
In the summer of 2022, Hermann joined Borussia Dortmund’s coaching staff under Niko Kovac. However, health reasons forced him to step down in December of that same year, bringing an official end to his long coaching career.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac expressed deep sorrow upon hearing of Hermann’s passing, describing him as “a great person” who had previously served as his assistant during their time together at Bayern Munich.
The DFB also released a tribute, noting that Hermann “shaped football in Germany without wanting to stand in the spotlight” and always prioritized player development and club success through loyalty and integrity.
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