View source for Sepp Maier

{{Short description|Former German footballer}}
{{for|the German Olympic skier|Sepp Maier (skier)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography 
| name           = Sepp Maier
| image          = 6137Sepp Maier Torwart-Legende.JPG
| image_size     =
| caption        = Maier in 2012
| full_name      = Josef Dieter Maier
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1944|2|28|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Metten]], [[Germany]]
| height         = 1.85 m
| position       = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]
| youthyears1    = 1952–1959
| youthclubs1    = TSV Haar
| youthyears2    = 1959–1962
| youthclubs2    = [[FC Bayern Munich Junior Team|Bayern Munich]]
| years1         = 1962–1980
| clubs1         = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
| caps1          = 537
| goals1         = 0 <!--Source: http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/maierjosef/ -->
| nationalyears1 = 1961–1962
| nationalteam1  = [[Germany national youth football team|West Germany Youth]]
| nationalcaps1  = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1963
| nationalteam2  = [[Germany national amateur football team|West Germany Amateur]]
| nationalcaps2  = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1966–1979
| nationalteam3  = [[Germany national football team|West Germany]]
| nationalcaps3  = 95
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| manageryears1  = 1988–2004
| managerclubs1  = [[Germany national football team|Germany]] (goalkeeping coach)
| manageryears2  = 1994–2008
| managerclubs2  = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] (goalkeeping coach)
| medaltemplates = 
{{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|FRG}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966 England]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 Mexico]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974 West Germany]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[UEFA Euro 1972|1972 Belgium]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[UEFA Euro 1976|1976 Yugoslavia]]|}}
}}
'''Josef Dieter''' "'''Sepp'''" '''Maier''' ({{IPA|de|ˈjoːzɛf ˈdiːtɐ zɛp ˈmaɪɐ}}; born 28 February 1944) is a German former professional [[Goalkeeper (association football)|footballer]] who played as a [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] for [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and the [[Germany national football team|West Germany national team]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/maierjosef|title = Sepp Maier|language = de|publisher = fussballdaten.de|access-date = 6 February 2010}}</ref> Regarded as one of football's greatest goalkeepers, he was nicknamed ''"Die Katze von Anzing"'' ("the cat from [[Anzing]]") for his fast reflexes, agility, flexibility, speed, and consistency. With 709 matches played across seventeen seasons, he was [[List of FC Bayern Munich records and statistics#Appearances|Bayern's all-time record appearance holder]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fcbayern.com/museum/de/news/2024/02/sonderausstellung-alles-gute-sepp-maier |title=Sonderausstellung zum 80. Geburtstag |publisher=FC Bayern Munich |language=de |access-date=6 April 2024 }}</ref> until he was surpassed by [[Thomas Müller]] in 2024.

In addition to his shot-stopping ability, Maier was also known for his ability to dominate his box, as well as his sense of humour and personality throughout his career, which made him a fan favourite. Regarding his playing style, he once quipped "a keeper should give off a sense of calm, and not fall asleep while doing so."<ref name="I PIU' GRANDI NUMERI UNO">{{cite web|url=http://storiedicalcio.altervista.org/blog/grandi_portieri.html|title=I PIU' GRANDI NUMERI UNO|trans-title=The Greatest Number Ones|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.org/news/newsid=949435.html|title=Casillas names his top ten No1s|publisher=UEFA|author1=Guillem Balagué|date=5 February 2010|access-date=27 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/0000243142.jsp |title=The Cat from Anzing |publisher=Bundesliga |access-date=16 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/021d-0e8f141f0275-968fbd474c1c-1000--saving-grace-europe-s-favourite-goalkeepers/ |title=Saving grace: Europe's favourite goalkeepers |publisher=UEFA |date=30 January 2015 |access-date=14 March 2020 }}</ref>

==Club career==
[[file:Afscheidswedstrijd Johan Cruijff , Ajax tegen Bayern Munchen 0-8 Sepp Maier (l), Bestanddeelnr 929-9831.jpg|Maier (left) with [[Gerd Müller]] in 1978|thumb]]

Born in [[Metten]], [[Bavaria]], Maier spent [[List of one-club men in association football|his entire professional career]] at Bayern Munich. He began playing for Bayern's youth sides in 1958.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sepp Maier | url= https://fcbayern.com/en/club/hall-of-fame/sepp-maier | website = FC Bayern Munich | access-date = 7 July 2019}}</ref> During the 1970s, he was part of the legendary Bayern team which included the likes of [[Franz Beckenbauer]] and [[Gerd Müller]] which won four West German league titles, three German cups, and three consecutive [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]s (1974 defeating [[Atlético Madrid]], 1975 defeating [[Leeds United]], 1976 defeating [[AS Saint-Étienne]]). He had previously tasted success in Europe in 1967 when Bayern won the [[European Cup Winners Cup]], defeating [[Rangers F.C.]] in the final in extra time. In the five games of the four European finals, the 1974 title having been won in a replay, Maier allowed a total of one goal.

Maier was elected [[Footballer of the Year (Germany)|German Footballer of the Year]] in 1975, 1977, and 1978. Between 1966 and 1979 he played in 442 consecutive Bundesliga matches, still a German national record.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.spiegel.de/einestages/50-jahre-bundesliga-sepp-maier-interview-und-die-besten-sprueche-a-949543.html | title = "Entmüdungsbecken? Wir waren nie müde!" | language = de | website = Spiegel Online | date = 23 August 2012 | access-date = 27 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/sepp-maier-great-bayern-munich-germany-goalkeeper-cat-from-anzing-24727 |title=Sepp Maier: The great Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper known as the 'Cat from Anzing' |publisher=Bundesliga |date=28 February 2024 }}</ref>

On 14 July 1979, Maier suffered serious injuries in a self-inflicted traffic accident. While [[aquaplaning]], he veered out of his lane and collided with an oncoming car, resulting in minor injuries to two women. Initially admitted to the district hospital over the weekend, medical staff there failed to recognize the extent of his injuries, diagnosing only a few rib fractures. However, through his friend [[Uli Hoeneß]], newly appointed as Bayern manager, Maier was connected with the Bayern club doctor. Upon the doctor's recommendation, Maier was transferred to [[LMU Klinikum|Großhadern hospital]], where X-rays revealed a ruptured lung, a displaced liver, a torn diaphragm, and a collection of two and a half liters of blood in his abdominal cavity. An emergency surgery at Großhadern saved Maier's life. He started training again on 26 November 1979, but then had to end his career, having missed the entire 1979–80 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/torwartlegende_sepp_maier_und_sein_abrupter_abschied-773759/artikel |title=Torwartlegende Sepp Maier und sein abrupter Abschied |publisher=Kicker |language=de |date=17 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/fc-bayern-muenchen/article189523199/Sepp-Maier-75-Geburtstag-Torwart-Ikone-ueberlebte-nur-dank-Hoeness.html |title=Sepp Maier überlebte nur dank Hoeneß |publisher=welt.de |language=de |date=28 February 2019 }}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Finale wereldkampioenschap voetbal 1974 in Munchen, West Duitsland tegen Nederla, Bestanddeelnr 927-3107.jpg|thumb|Maier holding the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]] trophy]]
Maier was selected in the [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] squad for four consecutive [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]s. In [[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966]] in England, he was a non-playing deputy to [[Hans Tilkowski]]. At the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] in Mexico, he was the starter and played all games (including the 4–3 semifinal loss to [[Italy national football team|Italy]] after extra time) except the third-place match.<ref>{{FIFA player|37989}}</ref>

In the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]] on home soil, at the top of his footballing abilities, he reached the peak of his international career as the Germans went all the way to the final with a legendary team that included the likes of [[Franz Beckenbauer]], [[Berti Vogts]], [[Gerd Müller]] and [[Paul Breitner]]. The greatest triumph came when the hosts defeated a [[Johan Cruyff]]-led [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] team 2–1 in the final in Maier's own hometown [[Munich]].

Four years later at the [[1978 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] in Argentina Maier delivered a strong performance but could not prevent his side's failing to advance past the second round. Maier also won the [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972 European Championship]] with West Germany and reached the final in [[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]], losing to [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] on penalty kicks. On this occasion he was on the receiving end of the original [[Panenka (penalty kick)|Panenka]] penalty. In all, he earned 95 caps for his country.

==Post-playing career==
Maier went into coaching for both club and country and mentored [[Oliver Kahn]]. In October 2004 his contract with the national side was terminated by manager [[Jürgen Klinsmann]] after Maier spoke out in favour of Kahn over [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s [[Jens Lehmann]] in a dispute over who should be the side's first-choice goalkeeper.<ref>{{cite news|title=Letzte Warnung für Sepp Maier|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/torwart-diskussion-letzte-warnung-fuer-sepp-maier-1.867948|publisher=[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=7 October 2004|language=de | access-date = 27 May 2012 | first = Philipp | last = Selldorf}}</ref> He continued to work as head goalkeeping coach for Bayern and retired in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bayern board honours Hitzfeld, Kahn and co.|url=http://www.fcbayern.t-home.de/en/news/news/2008/16318.php?fcb_sid=6584b4f748a127229192970d2f4a5f64|publisher=fcbayern.de|date=17 May 2008 | access-date = 27 May 2012}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Besides his goalkeeping exploits, Maier was famous for his overlong shorts and being the first goalkeeper to wear the now-standard, outsize, "Mickey Mouse" gloves,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://schwitzkasten.tagblatt.de/Home/schwitzkasten_artikel,-Wie-Gebhard-Reusch-und-Sepp-Maier-das-Handwerkszeug-der-Nummer-1-erschufen-_arid,202246.html | title = Wie Gebhard Reusch und Sepp Maier das Handwerkszeug der Nummer 1 erschufen | language = de | publisher = schwitzkasten.tagblatt.de | date = 1 February 2013 | access-date = 10 September 2013}}</ref> as well as his sense of humour. He is remembered for an incident where he became bored during a match at the [[Olympiastadion (Munich)|Olympiastadion]] as the opposing side had yet to threaten his goal. A duck wandered onto the pitch and Maier attempted to catch it.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1164001/index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120419061026/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1164001/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 April 2012 | title = Bring in the clowns | publisher = FIFA.com | date = 29 January 2010 | access-date = 10 September 2013}}</ref>

In June 2009, Maier was honoured by the Bavarian government with the Life Achievement Award.<ref>{{cite news|title=Höchstleistung auf dem Rasen|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/bayerischer-sportpreis-hoechstleistung-auf-dem-rasen-1.113271|publisher=[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=29 June 2009|language=de | access-date = 27 May 2012}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[DFB-Pokal]]
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA#Club|Europe]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!width="40"|Apps
!width="40"|Goals
!width="40"|Apps
!width="40"|Goals
!width="40"|Apps
!width="40"|Goals
!width="40"|Apps
!width="40"|Goals
!width="40"|Apps
!width="40"|Goals
|-
|rowspan="18"|[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
|[[1962–63 Oberliga#Oberliga Süd|1962–63]]
|[[Oberliga Süd (1945–1963)|Oberliga Süd]]
|4||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=ICFC|Appearance(s) in [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|-
|[[1963–64 Regionalliga#Regionalliga Süd|1963–64]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|Regionalliga Süd]]
|24||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Intertoto Cup|Intertoto Cup]]}}||0||6{{efn|name=RPP|Appearances in Regionalliga promotion play-offs}}||0||37||0
|-
|[[1964–65 Regionalliga#South|1964–65]]
|36||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|Six appearances in Regionalliga promotion play-offs, two appearances in [[:de:Süddeutscher Pokal|Süddeutscher Pokal]]}}||0||44||0
|-
|[[1965–66 FC Bayern Munich season|1965–66]]
|rowspan="15"|[[Bundesliga]]
|31||0||6||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||0
|-
|[[1966–67 FC Bayern Munich season|1966–67]]
|34||0||5||0||9{{efn|name=CWC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||48||0
|-
|[[1967–68 FC Bayern Munich season|1967–68]]
|34||0||4||0||8{{efn|name=CWC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||46||0
|-
|[[1968–69 FC Bayern Munich season|1968–69]]
|34||0||6||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||40||0
|-
|[[1969–70 FC Bayern Munich season|1969–70]]
|34||0||3||0||2{{efn|name=EC|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||39||0
|-
|[[1970–71 FC Bayern Munich season|1970–71]]
|34||0||7||0||8{{efn|name=ICFC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||49||0
|-
|[[1971–72 FC Bayern Munich season|1971–72]]
|34||0||5||0||8{{efn|name=CWC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||47||0
|-
|[[1972–73 FC Bayern Munich season|1972–73]]
|34||0||5||0||5{{efn|name=EC}}||0||3{{efn|Appearances in [[DFL-Ligapokal|DFB-Ligapokal]]}}||0||47||0
|-
|[[1973–74 FC Bayern Munich season|1973–74]]
|34||0||4||0||10{{efn|name=EC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||48||0
|-
|[[1974–75 FC Bayern Munich season|1974–75]]
|34||0||3||0||7{{efn|name=EC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||44||0
|-
|[[1975–76 FC Bayern Munich season|1975–76]]
|34||0||7||0||9{{efn|name=EC}}||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Super Cup|European Super Cup]]}}||0||52||0
|-
|[[1976–77 FC Bayern Munich season|1976–77]]
|34||0||4||0||6{{efn|name=EC}}||0||4{{efn|Two appearances in European Super Cup, two appearances in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}||0||48||0
|-
|[[1977–78 FC Bayern Munich season|1977–78]]
|34||0||3||0||6{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||43||0
|-
|[[1978–79 FC Bayern Munich season|1978–79]]
|34||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||0
|-
|[[1979–80 FC Bayern Munich season|1979–80]]
|0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!537!!0!!63!!0!!86!!0!!23!!0!!709!!0
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=12769|title=Sepp Maier|website=EU-Football.info|access-date=2 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Germany national football team|West Germany]]
|1966||3||0
|-
|1967||4||0
|-
|1968||5||0
|-
|1969||6||0
|-
|1970||9||0
|-
|1971||8||0
|-
|1972||7||0
|-
|1973||5||0
|-
|1974||12||0
|-
|1975||6||0
|-
|1976||6||0
|-
|1977||8||0
|-
|1978||12||0
|-
|1979||4||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!95!!0
|}

==Honours==
{{Commons}}

'''Bayern Munich'''<ref name="Honours">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=37989/profile.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003081224/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=37989/profile.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2015|title=Germany's champion and comical keeper|publisher=FIFA|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>
* [[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|Regionalliga Süd]]: [[Regionalliga Süd (1963–1974)|1964–65]]
* [[Bundesliga]]: [[1968–69 Bundesliga|1968–69]], [[1971–72 Bundesliga|1971–72]], [[1972–73 Bundesliga|1972–73]], [[1973–74 Bundesliga|1973–74]]
* [[DFB-Pokal]]: [[1965–66 DFB-Pokal|1965–66]], [[1966–67 DFB-Pokal|1966–67]], [[1968–69 DFB-Pokal|1968–69]], [[1970–71 DFB-Pokal|1970–71]]
* [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]: [[1973–74 European Cup|1973–74]], [[1974–75 European Cup|1974–75]], [[1975–76 European Cup|1975–76]]
* [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1966–67 European Cup Winners' Cup|1966–67]]
* [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1976 Intercontinental Cup|1976]]

'''West Germany'''<ref name="Honours"/>
* [[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]]
* [[UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]]

'''Individual'''
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]]<ref name="FWCAll-StarTeam">{{cite web|url=http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |title=FIFA World Cup All-Star Team – Football world Cup All Star Team |publisher=Football.sporting99.com |access-date=28 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630203237/http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |archive-date=30 June 2016}}</ref>
* ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' [[Bundesliga]] Team of the Season: 1974–75<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/197475/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018212246/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/197475/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1974/75|language=de|publisher=kicker}}</ref>
* [[Footballer of the Year (Germany)]]: 1975, 1977, 1978<ref name="Honours"/>
* [[FIFA 100]]<ref name="Honours"/>
* Germany's goalkeeper of the Century<ref name="Honours"/>
* [[World Soccer Magazine|World Soccer]]: The 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time<ref name="World Soccer Players of the Century">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|title=World Soccer Players of the Century|publisher=World Soccer|access-date=29 August 2014}}</ref>
* [[One Club Award|One Club Man Award]]: 2017<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/17800/award-to-sepp-maier-at-san-mames.html|title=Award to Sepp Maier at San Mamés|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=14 April 2017|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref>
* Bayern Munich All-time XI<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2005/04283.php|title=Fans name greatest reds of all time|date=1 June 2005|work=FC Bayern München| access-date = 6 December 2018}}</ref>
* Member of [[Germany's Sports Hall of Fame]]

==See also==
*[[List of one-club men in association football|List of one-club men]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes colour
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{1974 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{1977 World Soccer World XI}}
{{1974–75 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{German Footballer of the Year}}
{{One Club Player Award}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{FC Bayern Munich Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes colour
|title      = West Germany squads
|bg        = white
|fg        = black
|bordercolor=black
|list1=
{{West Germany squad 1966 FIFA World Cup}}
{{West Germany squad 1970 FIFA World Cup}}
{{West Germany squad UEFA Euro 1972}}
{{West Germany squad 1974 FIFA World Cup}}
{{West Germany squad UEFA Euro 1976}}
{{West Germany squad 1978 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maier, Sepp}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Deggendorf (district)]]
[[Category:Footballers from Lower Bavaria]]
[[Category:German men's footballers]]
[[Category:Germany men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Germany men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]]
[[Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:1966 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1970 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1974 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1978 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1972 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1976 players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:FC Bayern Munich non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:West German men's footballers]]
[[Category:Association football goalkeeping coaches]]