View source for Fritz Korbach

{{Short description|German football manager (1945–2011)}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name        = Fritz Korbach
| image       = Ajax tegen PEC Zwolle 4-2, trainer PEC Fritz Korbach (kop), Bestanddeelnr 929-8834.jpg
| upright     = 1.1
| caption     = Korbach in 1978
| fullname    =
| birth_date  = {{birth date|1945|7|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Diez, Germany|Diez]], [[Allied-occupied Germany|Germany]]
| death_date  = {{death date and age|2011|8|14|1945|7|18|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Leeuwarden]], Netherlands
| years1      =
| clubs1      = [[ZSC Patria]]
| caps1       =
| goals1      =
| years2      =
| clubs2      = [[SV Baarn]]
| caps2       =
| goals2      =
| manageryears1  = 1973–1977 | managerclubs1  = [[FC Wageningen]]
| manageryears2  = 1977–1982 | managerclubs2  = [[FC Zwolle]]
| manageryears3  = 1982–1983 | managerclubs3  = [[FC Volendam]]
| manageryears4  = 1983–1986 | managerclubs4  = [[FC Twente]]
| manageryears5  = 1986–1988 | managerclubs5  = [[SC Cambuur]]
| manageryears6  = 1988–1990 | managerclubs6  = [[Go Ahead Eagles]]
| manageryears7  = 1990–1992 | managerclubs7  = [[SC Heerenveen]]
| manageryears8  = 1992–1993 | managerclubs8  = [[FC Volendam]]
| manageryears9  = 1993–1995 | managerclubs9  = [[SC Cambuur]]
| manageryears10 = 1995–1998 | managerclubs10 = [[De Graafschap]]
| manageryears11 = 1999–2001 | managerclubs11 = [[Heracles Almelo]]
| manageryears12 = 2003      | managerclubs12 = [[Sparta Rotterdam]]
| manageryears13 = 2004–2005 | managerclubs13 = [[Rohda Raalte]]
| manageryears14 = 2005–2006 | managerclubs14 = [[PSM Makassar]]
| manageryears15 = 2006–2007 | managerclubs15 = [[Harkemase Boys]]
}}

'''Fritz Korbach''' (18 July 1945 – 14 August 2011) was a German professional [[association football|football]] player and manager. He was particularly well known in the Netherlands, where he served eleven different teams, including [[FC Wageningen]], [[FC Zwolle]], [[FC Volendam]], [[FC Twente]], [[SC Cambuur]], [[Go Ahead Eagles]], [[SC Heerenveen]], [[De Graafschap]], [[Heracles Almelo]], [[Sparta Rotterdam]] (where his management spell famously lasted only two days), [[Rohda Raalte]] and [[Harkemase Boys]].

== Playing career ==
As a player, Korbach was active for Dutch amateur clubs ZSC Patria and SV Baarn.<ref name="JD">[https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fritz-korbach-moet-vooral-uit-de-media-blijven 'Fritz Korbach moet vooral uit de media blijven']; by [[Johan Derksen]], ''[[Voetbal International]]''; 12 November 2007</ref>

==Management career==
===Assistant at FC Utrecht===
In 1970, Korbach was appointed assistant to [[Bert Jacobs]] at the newly formed club [[FC Utrecht]]. Prior to that, he had been co-trainer with the predecessor [[USV Elinkwijk]], as assistant of [[Evert Mur]].<ref>[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011236229:mpeg21:a0152 Korbach wil niet profiteren]; De tĳd : dagblad voor Nederland; 4 November 1972</ref>

===FC Wageningen===
The football instructor had his first post as manager at the [[FC Wageningen]],<ref>[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010561087:mpeg21:a0183 Korbach trainer Wageningen]; Limburgsch dagblad; 2 April 1973</ref> At the end of his first season, he led Wageningen in winning the playoffs and securing promotion to the Eredivisie.<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C1971%7C&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C1974%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd%3A011236611%3Ampeg21%3Aa0267&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011236611%3Ampeg21%3Aa0249 Hazelhekke bepaalt gezicht Wageningen]; by Cor Snel; De tĳd : dagblad voor Nederland; 8 June 1974</ref> Wageningen's first season ever in the Eredivisie was not successful; the club relegated in 1975.<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C1975%7C&page=7&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd%3A010619937%3Ampeg21%3Aa0356&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A010619937%3Ampeg21%3Aa0356 Wageningen kansloos]; [[Leeuwarder Courant]]; 6 May 1975</ref>

===PEC Zwolle===
On 1 February 1977, it was announced that Korbach would start as [[PEC Zwolle]]'s new manager.<ref name="telpec1">[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+pec+zwolle+&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C1977%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd%3A011200098%3Ampeg21%3Aa0217&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011200098%3Ampeg21%3Aa0217Korbach nieuwe trainer PEC]; 
De Telegraaf; 1 February 1977</ref> Given his experience at both Dutch tiers, and his ideas on scouting and youth programs, he was the most fit of the twelve candidates.<ref name="telpec1" />

After one of the first matches in the 1977–78 season, Korbach attracted the anger of [[Heracles Almelo]]-coach [[Hennie Hollink]], who threw a glass of lemonade in the face of Korbach, and slapped Korbach's face afterwards.<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+pec+zwolle+&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C1977%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd%3A011017954%3Ampeg21%3Aa0242&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011017954%3Ampeg21%3Aa0242 Hollink Kwaad]; Nieuwsblad van het Noorden; 29 August 1977</ref> They reconciled a few days later.<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+pec+zwolle+&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C1977%7C&page=2&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd%3A010620611%3Ampeg21%3Aa0361&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A010620611%3Ampeg21%3Aa0361 Hollink en Korbach weer verzoend] Leeuwarder courant; 2 September 1977</ref> After this incident, Korbach's team (with [[Rinus Israel]]<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+zwolle+israel&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd%3A011199865%3Ampeg21%3Aa0202&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011199865%3Ampeg21%3Aa0202 Rentree Israel]; [[De Telegraaf]] 26 September 1977</ref> [[Uri Banhoffer]]<ref>{{cite web|publisher=De Stentor|title=Banhoffer, opgewonden standje in Zwolle|url=http://destentor.nl/sport/banhoffer-opgewonden-standje-in-zwolle-1.3115263|language=nl|date=6 July 2010}}</ref> and [[Ron Jans]]), became the champion of the [[Eerste Divisie]] and promoted to the Eredivisie. In its debut in the highest class of the Netherlands the team reached the eighth place.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned79.html Netherlands 1978/79] on rsssf.org</ref>

Korbach kept the club regularly safe from the relegation (with a 2–1 win against [[Feyenoord]] in his last season), before he signed at [[FC Volendam]] for the 1982–83 season.<ref>[http://www.fcvd.nl/?pid=artikelen&id=113 Fritz Korbach, Volendam moet ook leren knokken]; Voetbal International; 28 July 1982</ref> During his time at PEC Zwolle, [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] wanted to contract Korbach. However, when the Amsterdam board consulted with then-PEC Zwolle chairman Jan Wiersma, Korbach stormed the boardroom, asking 'at what time the fucking would start.' After that, Korbach never heard anything again from Ajax.<ref name="JD" />

===FC Volendam===
With Volendam his goal was to promote from the [[Eerste Divisie]]. Under Korbach, the tall defender [[Kees Guyt]] became a forwarder, thus scoring eleven goals.<ref name="imvol">[http://www.fcvolendam.nl/nieuws/item/in-memoriam-fritz-korbach/ In memoriam: Fritz Korbach]; FC Volendam website; 15 August 2011</ref> [[Frank Kramer (footballer born 1949)|Frank Kramer]] returned to the club and became the top scorer of Volendam with 14 goals. With a 0–2 victory in the last match against [[FC VVV]] the team secured a second place behind [[DS'79]] in the league, and Korbach's goal was achieved.<ref name="imvol" /><ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+volendam+promotie&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1983%7C&identifier=ddd%3A011205650%3Ampeg21%3Aa0308&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011205650%3Ampeg21%3Aa0308 Volendam in Alle Staten...]; De Telegraaf; 16 May 1983</ref>

===FC Twente===
Despite this, the club and the coach parted ways, and [[FC Twente]] lured Korbach to [[Enschede]] for 1983–84 season.<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+fc+twente&page=1&coll=ddd&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1983%7C&identifier=KBNRC01%3A000027939%3Ampeg21%3Aa0104&resultsidentifier=KBNRC01%3A000027939%3Ampeg21%3Aa0104 Korbach tekent bij FC Twente]; [[NRC Handelsblad]]; 18 February 1983</ref> Twente had relegated in the previous year and wanted the immediate promotion. Korbach's sense of humor and enthusiasm worked well on FC Twente's selection; within one year Twente was back at the highest level. For the fourth time in succession Korbach promoted to the Eredivisie.<ref name="imvol" /><ref name=twentrain>[https://www.fctwente.nl/de-club/historie/trainers-van-fc-twente/ Trainers van FC Twente]; FC Twente website</ref> After two more rather uneventful seasons at Twente, Korbach decided to leave after an 8–1 defeat against [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]].<ref name=twentrain />

===SC Cambuur===
[[SC Cambuur]], who needed a new manager after [[Simon Kistemaker (football manager)|Simon Kistemaker]] left for [[DS'79]], then secured Korbach's services as a manager for season 1986–87.<ref>[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1986%7C&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1985%7C&query=korbach+cambuur&coll=ddd&identifier=KBNRC01%3A000028707%3Ampeg21%3Aa0102&resultsidentifier=KBNRC01%3A000028707%3Ampeg21%3Aa0102 Trainer Korbach naar Cambuur]; NRC Handelsblad; 13 March 1986</ref> Korbach gave confidence to his players and maintained a good relationship with the board. The atmosphere in the club improved and spectators found the way to the stadium again.<ref name="nvhndomp">[http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=korbach+cambuur+kistemaker&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1987%7C&identifier=ddd%3A011000886%3Ampeg21%3Aa0246&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011000886%3Ampeg21%3Aa0246 Succesjaar van Korbach ondanks fikse domper]; by Henk Hielkema; Nieuwsblad van het Noorden, 22 June 1987</ref> Korbach developed a special game style, which had all the charms of English football: little fuss, attacking, demanding a lot of effort and a heartbreaking enthusiasm.<ref name="nvhndomp" /> It became a spectacular season, with Cambuur scoring 80 goals in 36 matches.<ref name="cambuur80">[http://cambuur.nl/de-club/historie/de-jaren-80/ De jaren '80]; Cambuur Homepage</ref> However, this time Korbach's team ended third, two points short for promotion.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned87.html Netherlands 1986/87] on rsssf.org</ref> The promotion competition was all that remained. On 18 June 1987, the deciding contest between Korbach's Cambuur and Kistemaker's DS'79 was played in the Cambuur Stadium, filled with 16,000 spectators. DS controlled the match and was already halfway the match at 0–2. [[Willem van der Ark]] was given a chance to change the odds when Cambuur was awarded a penalty, but failed hopelessly.<ref name="cambuur80" />

===Go Ahead Eagles===
The 1987–88 season was very disappointing. Cambuur finished eleventh and Korbach left for [[Go Ahead Eagles]] in [[Deventer]].<ref name="cambuur80" /> As with many clubs before, he once again had the task of leading the club into the Eredivisie, this time with the help of his assistant [[Henk ten Cate]].<ref>[http://www.voetbalcentraal.nl/nieuws/149112/ten-cate-beoogde-bondscoach- Ten Cate beoogde bondscoach]; 23 April 2017</ref>

===SC Heerenveen===
After less than two years without success, Korbach found a new challenge at [[SC Heerenveen]] before his second season ended.<ref>[https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1990/02/14/fritz-korbach-6923503-a967842 Fritz Korbach]; [[NRC Handelsblad]]; 14 February 1990</ref> Although only 16th place in the second Dutch league was reached, the club rose to the Eredivisie by the play-offs for the first time in history.<ref>Terpstra; Nico; [http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010646107:mpeg21:a0662 "Heerenveen eindelijk over drempel"] De Telegraaf; 31 May 1990</ref> However, the club relegated the next year.<ref>[http://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/businessclub/nieuws-activiteiten/oud-trainer-fritz-korbach-overleden/20 Oud-trainer Fritz Korbach overleden; heerenveen.nl14 August 2011]</ref>

One of Korbach's skills was his talent to teach his players tactics in a simple yet charismatic and humorous way. As player [[René van der Gijp]] recalled: "If he is talking about tactics, the trashman at the corner of the street understands it too."<ref name="1992NRC">{{cite news|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1992/12/21/ook-de-vuilnisman-begrijpt-korbach-7167206-a301725|title=OOK DE VUILNISMAN BEGRIJPT KORBACH|newspaper=[[NRC Handelsblad]]|date=21 December 1992 |access-date=3 September 2017|language=nl}}</ref> This talent had a downside: in a February 1991 interview, Korbach called player [[Bryan Roy]] ("een kleine rotneger"; "a putrid little negro"), [[Romário]] ("die koffieboon van PSV", "that [[coffee bean]] of [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]]").<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nrc.nl/sport/article1747419.ece/Pap,_Wesley_praat_ook_zo_hoor_|title=Pap, Wesley praat ook zo hoor|newspaper=[[NRC Handelsblad]]|date=30 November 2006|access-date=29 October 2009|language=nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025051450/http://www.nrc.nl/sport/article1747419.ece/Pap,_Wesley_praat_ook_zo_hoor_|archive-date=25 October 2008}}</ref> and [[Simon Tahamata]] ("treinkaper"; "[[1977 Dutch train hijacking|train hijacker]]").<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2007 |title='Fritz Korbach moet vooral uit de media blijven' |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fritz-korbach-moet-vooral-uit-de-media-blijven |access-date=8 March 2024 |website=Voetbal International |language=nl}}</ref> In the 1991–92 season the team finished third in the Eerste Divisie, nearly missing the promotion.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned92.html RSSSF] Netherlands 1991-1992</ref> Therefore, Korbach was replaced by [[Foppe de Haan]] in October 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frieschdagblad.nl/index.asp?artID=18260 |title=Friesch Dagblad |website=www.frieschdagblad.nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904020820/http://www.frieschdagblad.nl/index.asp?artID=18260 |archive-date=4 September 2017}}</ref> After exactly ten years, the coach went back to the struggling FC Volendam in November. Under Korbach, the club remained unbeaten the next fifteen matches, finishing in the Eredivisie at a sixth place.<ref name="imvol" /><ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned93.html RSSSF] Netherlands 1992-1993</ref> After a bad start in the following season, he resigned and returned to SC Cambuur in October 1993.<ref name="imvol" />

===De Graafschap===
Korbach signed a second time with SC Cambuur-Leeuwarden and stayed with the Leeuwarden club for two years. After the 1994 relegation, they failed tot return to the first league in 1995. Between November 1995 and December 1998 he supervised the [[De Graafschap]]. At the beginning of the 1996–97 season, coach Fritz Korbach bluffed that they would finish 8th in the Eredivisie.<ref name="vk96">[https://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/de-graafschap-vormt-korbach-tot-achterhoeker~be1480b5/De Graafschap vormt Korbach tot Achterhoeker]; ''De Volkskrant'' 21 October 1996,</ref> With new players such as [[Eric Viscaal]] and [[Hans van de Haar]], mixed with regional players, the team played a good exhibition match against [[FC Barcelona]] and then continued to play well. After a win on PSV and a draw in the [[Amsterdam Arena]], the team was even in third place.<ref name="vk96" /> Eventually they finished at an eight place, just as Korbach predicted.<ref>[https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/met-fritz-korbach-naar-de-top-3-video-docu/ Met Fritz Korbach naar de top 3]</ref>

===Two days at Sparta===
In 1999, Korbach took over the trainer's office at [[Heracles Almelo]]. After two years in Almelo, he paused from 2001 to 2003 before [[Sparta Rotterdam]] secured the coach's services. There, Korbach was to prevent the descent from the Eredivisie. The coach stayed only two days. The reason for this was that his doctor advised him to avoid stress, and Korbach had already given up the job after two training sessions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/aug/19/benchwarmers|title=Who is football's most successful bench-warmer?|date=20 August 2008|author=Ben McFarland|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Amateur clubs===
At the 2003–04 season, he worked for the Dutch amateur club [[Rohda Raalte]]. In the summer of 2005, he ventured for the first time to train a team outside the Netherlands. The [[Indonesia]]n club [[PSM Makassar]] lured the German to Asia. It was hoped that he would win the [[Indonesia Super League]]. This did not happen and Korbach returned to the Netherlands. On 26 October 2006, he succeeded [[Pieter Bijl]] at the subclass association [[Harkemase Boys]] for a short while.<ref>{{cite web | language=nl | url=http://www.beijen.net/frank/cvs/korbach-f.htm | title=Cv Fritz Korbach | publisher=beijen.net | access-date=19 July 2018 }}</ref>

==Death==
Early 2011, [[Throat Cancer]] was detected at Korbach at an advanced stage. In the summer of that year, the diagnosis followed that he had only few months to live. On 14 August 2011, he died from the consequences of a [[heart attack]].<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.waldnet.nl/wn/nieuws/34116/Voetbaltrainer_Fritz_Korbach_overleden.html Voetbaltrainer Fritz Korbach overleden] WaldNet, 14 August 2011.</ref> The stadium of Cambuur Leeuwarden was used as the s memorial service for Fritz Korbach.<ref name="parool" /> FC Twente held a minute of silence for the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|Champions League play-off]]-match against [[Benfica]],<ref name="parool">{{Cite web|url=http://www.parool.nl/sport/korbach-opgebaard-in-stadion-cambuur~a2850690/|title = Korbach opgebaard in stadion Cambuur|date = 16 August 2011}}</ref> since, as Twente coach [[Co Adriaanse]] said: "I told the players that Fritz Korbach has been one of the best Dutch trainers of the last thirty years, and in addition a former coach of FC Twente."<ref name="parool" />

==Legacy==
Korbach became well known for leading mediocre [[Eerste Divisie]] sides to the [[Eredivisie]]. This sudden change in achievements has become known in the Netherlands as the 'Korbach-effect'.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://historiek.net/voetbaltrainer-fritz-korbach-overleden/12357/ Voetbaltrainer Fritz Korbach overleden] historiek.net; 14 August 2011</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}

{{FC Wageningen managers}}
{{FC Zwolle managers}}
{{FC Volendam managers}}
{{FC Twente managers}}
{{SC Cambuur managers}}
{{Go Ahead Eagles managers}}
{{SC Heerenveen managers}}
{{De Graafschap managers}}
{{Heracles Almelo managers}}
{{Sparta Rotterdam managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Korbach, Fritz}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Rhein-Lahn-Kreis]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:German men's footballers]]
[[Category:German football managers]]
[[Category:German expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:FC Wageningen managers]]
[[Category:PEC Zwolle managers]]
[[Category:FC Volendam managers]]
[[Category:FC Twente managers]]
[[Category:SC Cambuur managers]]
[[Category:Go Ahead Eagles managers]]
[[Category:SC Heerenveen managers]]
[[Category:De Graafschap managers]]
[[Category:Heracles Almelo managers]]
[[Category:Sparta Rotterdam managers]]
[[Category:Eredivisie managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Deaths from laryngeal cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Rohda Raalte managers]]
[[Category:PSM Makassar managers]]
[[Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position]]
[[Category:Footballers from Rhineland-Palatinate]]
[[Category:20th-century German sportsmen]]