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In the book “Der Wolf”, published in 2012, the then coach of Nati Ottmar Hitzfeld (71) writes in the foreword about his predecessor Paul Wolfisberg: “Paul Wolfisberg. What is not associated with this name and this great personality? The bearded man. The fox trainer. The architect of the Lucerne agglomeration community of Horw, who temporarily coached FC Luzern and the Swiss national team. The successful “.
Wolfisberg, referred to by all of Switzerland as “Wolf”, is the first successful coach of a national team after the era of “honorable defeats” after the 1966 World Cup. “Wolf” record between 1981 and late 1985: 52 games, 17 wins, 20 draws, 15 losses.
Its tough advocates are nicknamed “Abbruch GmbH”, GmbH stands for limited liability company. the Players just become that Called “wolves”. Two of the pack stayed with Wolfisberg for the last time last Saturday. Roger Wehrli (64) and Andy Egli (62) they are at a birthday party in the stars at Kastanienbaum LU charged with surprise.
“Paul was welcoming and funny”
The “wolf” comes with the walker. Egli: “Of course it wasn’t so mobile anymore. But Paul made a brilliant impression. His joke and kindness were expressed in every gathering. “Wehrli:” I looked at him a couple of times during the birthday party when he suddenly yelled, ‘Hey, I wouldn’t!’ “A typical wolf saying. Claudio Sulser (64 years old), The most successful forward of the Wolfisberg era says: ‘Wolfisberg was an unconventional coach. He didn’t focus so much on tactics, but instead focused on motivation and values. There were lively team meetings, the coach removed slogans. It had simple language and even simpler methods. He was like a father figure. “
S t. Gallens Sports Manager Alain Sutter (52 years) He made his national team debut with Wolfisberg when he was 17 years old. «He was a very nice person. I had great respect for him. “Egli:” Paul was welcoming, funny, charming. With his beard and mischievous smile, he embodied the traditional Swiss. Technically he was very competent. And his ability to deal with people was paramount. For me, he was absolutely on par with Nati’s later coach, Roy Hodgson. “
The Valais Raubein Charly In-Albon (63 years old): «The news of death made me very sad. At 87, you don’t need to leave. Paul was an incredibly human coach who put an incredible amount of trust in you as a player. I knew if I had a bad game in GC and the wolf was sitting in the stands, he would still call me three days later and let me play. He had confidence in his players. His fatherly attitude was worth gold. That kind of father no longer exists. “
The international record Heinz Hermann (62 years) makes 48 of his 118 international matches under “Wolf”. Now he is trapped in Ibiza (Spain) and says on the phone: “He was less agitated with him than with others Trainers Still, he was very determined. We could achieve a lot back then, but we always fail. “
“He was a splendid person”
The 2-1 victory in the 1981 World Cup against England will remain unforgettable in the Wolf era. The 1-1 in a test before 62,000 fans in Recife against Brazil with world stars Socrates and Zico. The 1-0 win against world champion Italy in 1982: the Azzurri’s first home loss in eleven years! Or the legendary story of the “wolf” on the tour of Africa smokes a joint with his players in December 1983. Wolfisberg in his biography: “To be honest, that was completely harmless. I also smoked out of courtesy, I didn’t feel anything. “” Giftzahn “Wehrli yesterday:” I just took one train and never again in my life, honestly. Paul gave us freedom. He was a magnificent person. “
