Jupp Heynckes Shares Emotional Tribute to Late Friend and Longtime Assistant Peter Hermann

A Unbreakable Bond on the Coaching Bench

For roughly five years, Jupp Heynckes and Peter Hermann formed one of the most successful and trusted coaching duos in German professional football.

The two men were often described by colleagues as “brothers in spirit.” According to Heynckes’ public reflections, their working relationship was defined by complete mutual respect, noting that they never experienced internal friction or arguments throughout their shared tenure at the highest levels of the Bundesliga.

Sharing the Triumph of the 2013 Treble

Peter Hermann spent decades shaping German football as a dependable assistant, scout, and interim coach. His career included significant stints at Bayer Leverkusen—where the club confirmed his passing after consulting his family—and at FC Bayern Munich.

At Bayern Munich, Hermann served as the vital right hand to Heynckes during the historic 2013 treble-winning campaign, helping guide the squad to domestic and European glory. Beyond the professional silverware, however, it was the daily camaraderie and shared dedication to the sport that defined their partnership, which Leverkusen officially noted under a framework of profound club-wide mourning.

The Final Months and Last Visit

Hermann suffered from ALS, an incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting the motor nervous system. Despite the devastating diagnosis, the two friends maintained contact. Heynckes recounted that his final visit with Hermann took place roughly three months prior to his passing.

During that visit, Hermann could barely speak due to the advanced progression of the illness. Heynckes noted that Hermann’s son-in-law had to assist with the conversation because the former coach’s voice was no longer easily understood. Reflecting on the journey home that day, Heynckes shared that he wept bitterly in his car, haunted by the image of his deeply afflicted friend.

Learning the News and Family Devotion

Heynckes learned of Hermann’s passing directly from the late coach’s daughter, Rebecca. Describing the moment alongside his wife Iris, Heynckes wrote that they sat at the table and could not stop their tears, adding that human vocabulary simply lacks the proper words for such profound loss.

At the same time, Heynckes emphasized that Hermann never complained about his cruel fate. Instead, his life remained anchored by his family and football. His wife Barbara and other loved ones cared for him around the clock, ensuring that a family member was always by his side during his final months when he could no longer be left alone.

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