Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher
Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher(West Germany)
D.O.B – 06/03/1954. Clubs – 1.FC Koln, Schalke, Fenerbahce, Bayern Munchen, Borussia Dortmund(1973-1996)
A goalkeeper who will ultimately bremembered for one moment of madness instead of many moments of greatness. Born in Duren, not far from Cologne, Schumacher joined his boyhood idols 1.FC after serving his apprenticeship as a boiler maker. Cologne used him infrequently during his first two years at the club due to the dominance of Gerd Welz. When the latter was injured in 1976, Schumacher was forced into the breach; initially, his performances were at times inspired, but predominantly inconsistent, earning him the inglorious nickname of ‘the fidget’.
In 1977 Cologne won the DFB Cup, followed by the league and cup double in 1977/78, during which time Schumacher cemented his place and gained respect from the nation. His first cap for the Nationalmanschaaft followed in early 1979, however, he could not displace the evergreen Sepp Maier. Fate, however took hold during this year, sadly for Sepp Maier, his career was ended in a serious car accident during the pre-season of 1979. Schumacher was still, however, third choice behind the alternating Norbert Nigbur and Dieter Burdenski. A cruel twist denied Schalke’s Nigbur, just two months prior to the European Chamion
ships to be held in Italy; a torn knee cartilage, incurred during dramatic scenes in a restaurant whilst Nigbur dined with his Fiancee.
Toni Schumacher stepped into the limelight and helped West Germany to victory in the European championship, two years later in Seville, he would encounter fame of a different kind.
The Battison Incident
Toni Schumacher is perhaps best known for this incident:
During the semi-final of the 1982 World Cup, Schumacher collided with Patrick Battison of France, his teammate Michel Platini thought that Battison was dead, as he “had no pulse.”
He was not dead, however, he did suffer damaged vertebrae and lost two teeth in the collision, after which Schumacher was voted the most hated man in France, with Adolf Hitler in second place!
Many have commented on this tackle, though goalkeepers the world over will agree that it is this single-mindedness and desire to stop the ball at all costs that places Schumacher amongst the world’s best. Germany went on to win the game on penalties.
In the wake of the incident Schumacher was vilified and in his own words was ‘regarded as some kind of wild animal’, he received death threats, even from anonymous Germans, and was almost forced to leave 1.FC Koln. Schumacher did however make his peace with Patrick Battiston and they became good friends.
Mexico ’86
Toni Schumacher was awarded the German player of the year in 1984 on the back of some inspired performances for koln, he was again given this award in 1986 and went into the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexcio full of confidence.
During the early rounds Schumacher was in exceptional form, producing some great saves against, most notably Scotland. Schumacher’s back up, Uli Stein, from Hamburg, was sent home after the group games, due to his ‘disruptive influence’ on the squad. Most of his verbal attacks were aimed at Shumacher and Coach Franz Beckenbauer. Schumacher relaxed after the departure of Stein and went on to be West Germany’s best performer at the Finals, giving great performances against France and Mexico. The final was, however a different story as Schumacher missed a centre to allow Jose luis Brown to score the opener. West Germany never recovered and went on to lose 3-2.
After the finals Schumacher’s nerves had taken a pounding and his confidence was low, his first few games in the Bundelisga producing erratic performances. He returned to form suddenly, however against 1.FC Nurnberg in November and recaptured his former greatness.
‘Anpiff’
February 1987 saw Toni Schumacher’s last game for Koln against Bochum, after having just released a controversial autobiography, ‘Anpiff’(‘Blowing the Whistle’). In an emotional press conference at Koln’s training ground, president Peter Weiand suspended Schumacher from the Koln side. The DFB(German Football Association) would soon follow suite and Schumacher was left in the wildnerness, training to keep fit, but no matches to play. Schumacher’s place went to nineteen year-old Bodo Illgner who performed so well he was elevated to the German team by September 1987.
Later Years
Toni Schumacher transferred to Schalke in summer 1987 and endured a bad season as Schalke were relegated, Schumacher then went to Turkey to play for Fenerbahce where he earned hero status and won more medals than he had managed at 1.FC Koln. He returned to Germany in 1991 to serve as back up to injury hit Bayern Munchen keeper Raimond Aumann who was suffering from a long standing knee complaint.
Without doubt one of the greatest German goalkeepers of all times. Harald’s passion for the game and his constant endevour to achieve excellence to achieve his goal is not only admirable but also missed.
Germany has not fully recovered from those great teams of the 1980′s.
It has the match between Germany in France in the semi-finals of the World Cup of 1982 in Spain that finally cemented soccer as the world’s game. In a land where hockey and “football” rule, it was fascinating to hear in the radio, read in the newspapers and the see on television how thrilling that match was. I recalled how my classmate raved about that game and could not say enough about that German goalkeeper who they would get to know in Mexico in 1986 as Harald “Tony” Schumacher.
The most violent aggression I have ever eyewittness in my life, with the according behaviour of the referee. If it succeeds in Brazil, it will provoke the end of his career as a keeper.
Fifa made a documentary of the 1982 World Cup, narrated by Sean Connery. It shows camera angles and clips not shown in the live footage. During the 1st half, Schumacher saves a cross / shot in the 6 yard box and a French player slides in late, resulting in Toni getting a kick in the head. He pushes the player away on the ground (I think it was Didier Six), then stands with the ball in one hand starring at him. Connery narrating says “Schumacher looks at him as if to say ‘I’ll see you later’ “…
It is not mentioned again in the film, but I believe (and I am not condoning the incident) that Schumacher was getting “revenge” in the 2nd half and Battiston was a case of mistaken identity…
Scumacher is clearly among the bests ever. I think this article should focus a bit more on his greatest games -the quarter and semifinals in the 86 world cup for example. I can still remember Schumacher psyching out his opponents in the penalty shootout against Mexico in 86. A great goalkeeper who didn`t care the least about his popularity!
Good point Thomas, which is duly noted – expect an update soon (we are currently trawling our archives for some more positive chat!) – though it is arguably this which captures the general public’s imagination the most.
This Schumacher isn’t related to Michael and Ralph, is he????
No, Toni is not related to M $ R. Schumacher actually means “Shoemaker”, relevent to “Smith” in English.
He was always my #2 favourite, after Pat Jennings.
Great updates to this article! A shame Schumacher left the Budesliga under a cloud after some great years.
[...] chief Bundesliga and 1970s and 1980s writer, James Allis has completed an update on the profile of Harald Toni Schumacher to include Mexico ‘86 and his later years as a keeper. Check it out [...]
Toni Schumacher es mucho más que esa fea acción. Fue uno de los más grandes de la portería junto a Arconada, Jean Mari Paff, Dino Zoff, Filloll…
The best goalkeerper of the world in the 80′s.
México 86 it’s the example. With Jean Marie Pfaff and Rinat Dasaev, were the best. Realy.
Ah yes, Pfaff was another excellent keeper of the same vintage. Mexico ’86 was definitely one of the goalkeeper’s finest hours! Before or since, probably only the 1950s can compare in terms of the number of top class keepers playing at the same time (though we’ve got a few at the moment – they’ve not performed at the same level as a group, at the same time… yet)
Great goal keeper. Very athletic and stilish on camp. Was always a pleasure to see on match!
Hero for German football
It’s unfortunate that Toni received such abuse for the Battison collision. The press should show pictures of him helping up the opposition or stretching Hugo Sanchez’ hamstring during a match. He was a class act and the guy was my hero. As a young goalkeeper and 25 years after that, I tried to emmulate him and the tenacity he showed throughout his career.
Does anybody know where I could get a copyof his jubilee match against the international all stars?
schumacher has been the best goalkeeper in history you see him play and you learn many things about goalkeeping.Today goalkeepers dont compare to him
great to see all this friends writting great things about a great person and a great goalkeeper, does any one here have a clue where i buy full matches of toni schumacher?
thank you
One of the great goalkeepers of all times.It’s a pity that an unfortunate incident should mark peoples memories of him instead of his rare goalkeeping talent.He also contributed vastly to all of the next generations of goalkeepers around the world by assisting the manufacturer he was endorsing(Reusch)to create the first state of the art goalkeeper gloves-as we know them nowdays.All in all a great contributor to the game with a place among the all-time great keepers in his own right!
I had forgotten about ‘Anpfiff” (or its English equivalent “Blowing the Whistle”) for years and years, until I re-read it about six months ago. A fascinating, absolutely mental book that puts most sports autobiographies to shame. Schumacher makes Jens Lehmann look boring.
he was a great goalkeeper; unfortunately he forgot fair play during the game against france in 1982.however, his talent is an example for current goalkeepers.
ps:the picture named “the batistton incident”above is incorrect;it refers to germany vs. denmark in mexico ’86.
all the best
His greatest skill was one on one and snatching the ball from strikers who tried to dribble past him. A bit ironic considering the Battiston incident but I remember plenty of time when he dived and snatched the ball away from strikers trying to dribble past him
I would say ranking for Germany is 1) Maier 2) Toni 3) Kahn.
@Goalkeeping Mother
you are not that far off
michael was a kid when toni was on his prime.
michael, who is from a small village near cologne, admited in the anniversary fc cologne interview that he told his classmates in primary school that toni was his uncle
micheal is a toni fan
my father (handball player) looked very similar to toni in the early 80s, so of course toni was my greatest hero.
my club fc cologne declined just when champions league was established. before that fc cologne was a main stay in european football. dirching toni (altough trading for illgner) is a mosaik piece of the clubs decline
Harold ” Toni’ schumacher to me will always be my no.1
He was a joy to watch which is a very rare fete in todays goal keepers.Any body knows where he is or if involved in footbal ??
Harald Schumacker is a brute! If hitting somebody so hard that they are knocked out is a sign of being a great hero, you should also worship Mike Tyson! I would actually respect Mike Tyson more because at least he has the courage to present himself as he truly is, and does not hide behind his girly-hair or the pretense of being a fair-minded athlete. The fact that a blind dutchman allowed Shumacker to get away with such an horrible foul, and the fact that he does not even have the decency to apologize for his ugly action is irresponsible, and is not an example for children to follow.
Toni Schumacher was unparalleled during his era – a master goalkeeper who had a radar-like sense of where the ball was headed. He blocked unbelievable shots on goal and was incredible in his ability psyche out opponents penalty strikes on goal. I have never seen a goalkeeper with better reflexive skills. He was a fantastic team captain as well.
More time should be spent speaking of his fantastic career. He traveled to France to apologize to Battiston for his error, which was warmly accepted by Battiston. He was always a class act.
Interested to know what his thoughts are on the german keeper Neuer’s level of performance in the 2010 World Cup thus far. He’s nowhere near as able as Schumacher was.
Hi Tonifan,
Thanks for your comment – Schumacher was a class act, and a great keeper, as you rightly say, but I’m fairly sure we have highlighted all of his prowess in goal as well as making mention of the key incident that marked his career. To ignore it would be very wrong.
To demonstrate will reiterate what is in the original listing:
“Many have commented on this tackle, though goalkeepers the world over will agree that it is this single-mindedness and desire to stop the ball at all costs that places Schumacher amongst the world’s best. Germany went on to win the game on penalties.”
One of the best ever. Hate him or like him, but this man is a character indeed.
@Erik: That Schumacher did not apologise is simply not true. He did so publicly and in private to Patrick Battiston. He stated the reason why he abstained from going to Battiston when he was lying on the pitch was, that several french players were there and (quite understandably) didn’t look amused. He feared the entire situation would escalate, hence decided to shy away.