Tall Germans, Little Englanders and a question of respect.
Much for the English to learn from German football.
Going for a drink with some Manchester United fans after their “football, bloody hell” night at the Nou Camp in 1999, we found a late-night back-street bar in Barcelona. Seated like statues around five tables were heart-broken Bayern Munich fans, sitting there in silence, moving only to raise glasses of beer to their lips. They were trying to take in what they had just witnessed. Their ribbons on the European Cup. But then United’s hands on the trophy. Looking up, they saw the United fans entering their house of pain. To a man, they applauded the victors. Sporting in defeat.
So as some cheap xenophobia is stirred up in certain quarters around a German managing England it is worth recalling the influence and inspiration of Thomas Tuchel’s football-obsessed country. There’s a lot of respect between two great footballing nations. English fans probably have more in common with their German counterparts than with any other fanbase. English fans respect the German football culture, envy it in many ways.
So as Tuchel is installed as England manager it needs re-stating there isn’t an ingrained antipathy towards all things German in the footballsphere. Some fans may continue with the wearisome “10 German Bombers” chant but most England fans will give Tuchel a chance, especially if he organises the players and gets them winning. Having an English assistant in Anthony Barry helps.
Tuchel’s arrival is an opportunity for some English self-reflection. Clearly, as widely stated, the Football Association needs to do more to develop its own Tuchels. But there is much more to appreciate in German football culture. I spent a term at school in Munich, unfortunately getting one of Bayern’s rare poor seasons, but went to watch games at the Olympiastadion, and eventually cover games there – “5-1, even Heskey scored” – and then at the magnificent Allianz.
Bayern’s stunning modern home is arguably the best all-round football stadium in the world, for atmosphere, facilities, transport links and architecture. Borussia Dortmund’s massive Westfalenstadion is not only about the Yellow Wall, but the walls of noise all around. Berlin’s Olympic Stadium is worth a visit for the history lessons alone. Every weekend, English fans fly out to Bundesliga games. For the beer and the atmosphere.
Apart from the erratic, underfunded rail network, Germany proved wonderful hosts during the Euros. England fans had a ball, the whole occasion enhanced by sensible policing. Their police take a softly-softly approach, talking to fans, seeing off potential problems with a smile or a quiet but firm warning. Carrot rather than baton-stick. France take note.
English fans also talk jealously of the 50+1 ownership model in the Bundesliga where fans can have a say. They look at the less avaricious pricing for Bundesliga games. You can watch Bayern for €10, even Dortmund in the Yellow Wall for €18.50 if you’re quick enough to get one of the individual match tickets.
I give talks to English clubs’ supporter groups and invariably mention the more militant nature of German fans, protesting on a range of issues. They have a loud voice and are often heard. English football has the excellent Football Supporters’ Association to make the fans’ case but club tribalism can occasionally hold sway, limiting the number and strength of collective actions.
We should also appreciate the joy that German footballers have brought to the English league and to English life. And the humour. Fans remember the commitment of Didi Hamann, who became so embedded in his second home that he acquired a local accent at Liverpool, dubbed himself the Bavarian Scouser and played cricket for his local village team. Fans remember the fun and excitement of Jurgen Klopp. You can go further back, and recall how another German JK, Jurgen Klinsmann, won people over by diving to celebrate his first goal for Tottenham Hotspur, mocking his image as a Teutonic Tumble Tot. It was Teddy Sheringham’s idea – “you score, we all dive” – but Klinsmann executed it with panache and a winning smile.