"Atze" Gebhardt († 65): Adviser for Ballack and guide for Schweini

Wolfgang "Atze" Gebhardt († 65) was the physio whom the Bayern stars trusted for more than 20 years.

The relationship often extended beyond medical care.

Munich - How many world careers has Wolfgang Gebhardt shaped or influenced in the long term?

In almost 30 years he has kneaded captains Lothar Matthäus, Klaus Augenthaler and Michael Ballack into 15 great triumphs. 

"Without people like Atze Gebhardt, FC Bayern would probably have won one or the other title less in its history," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, paying tribute to the record champions' "veteran".

From 1986 to 2007 he was part of the medical department of the professionals on Säbener Straße.

When Jürgen Klinsmann took office, he moved to the junior division for a further eight years.

FC Bayern: Atze Gebhardt was the special supervisor for Bastian Schweinsteiger and advisor for Michael Ballack

Gebhardt was much more than just a physiotherapist.

When Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the headlines at a young age because of an unauthorized nocturnal "family tour" on Säbener Strasse and had to report to the management level, it was Gebhardt who was responsible for Uli Hoeneß and Co. with the care of the then 18-year-old was commissioned.

For Michael Ballack, Gebhardt was an important advisor and contact person from 2002 to 2006 on the Isar.

“We had a very close relationship.

Physiotherapists are the closest confidante because you lie on the massage bench almost every day, ”recalls the 98-time national player.

“Atze was predestined for the job because he had to look after the players emotionally and listen to a lot.” He was an “important link between player and coach” because “Footballers are like a Formula 1 car, it has to be adjusted every day become".

FC Bayern: Atze Gebhardt was connected to his heart club until the end

He has toured all of Europe with the team and was sometimes on duty around the clock.

“The working hours were fluent.

Even if something was wrong or pinched at night, ”says Ballack.

Together with colleague and friend Fredi Binder, the dreaded left-footer also made a name for himself as a founding member of Monday football.

“At the beginning we played against Uli Hoeneß and Markus Hörwick, that was always a highlight,” recalls Binder.

In 2011, after 25 years at FC Bayern, Gebhardt had his first heart attack, but he didn't stop until 2015.

In his last years he experienced great happiness again.

In December 2015, he married his second wife and childhood sweetheart, Regina, whom he had raved about as a 14-year-old boy in Germering.

With his three daughters, stepchildren and grandchildren, he enjoyed life as a pensioner - and a fan of his heart club.

He wore the jackets, T-shirts or tracksuits with the blue-white-red logo with pride from Sunday to Monday until his death that night.

Unfortunately then his heart stopped beating. 

(JÖRG BULLINGER)