Special exhibition to mark the 80th birthday of Sepp Maier
Sepp Maier is a goalkeeping icon, a footballing legend and a simply lovable person. He spent 17 years in FC Bayern’s first team, making 709 competitive appearances, including a number of saves that no statistics in the world can record. His impressive collection of titles includes four Bundesligas, four DFB Cups, three European Cups, as well as the World Cup and European Championship with Germany. To mark his 80th birthday, the FC Bayern Museum at the Allianz Arena is hosting the special exhibition ‘All the best, Sepp Maier!’, which sheds light on the charming entertainer's multifaceted personality on and off the pitch.
A defining goalkeeper
His elegant style as a goalkeeper earned Josef Dieter ‘Sepp’ Maier the nickname ‘The Cat of Anzing’. Whether he was keeping a clean sheet in a decisive game or catching a duck on the pitch for fun, many moments are etched in the minds and hearts of football fans - not only among supporters of his home club, but throughout Germany and internationally. Maier remains one of the best-known and most popular FC Bayern players to this day. He was also a pioneer who had a decisive influence on the goalkeeping game, not only in sporting terms but also technically, right up to the present day. Maier was involved in the development of the modern goalkeeper gloves with soft grip. Later, as a goalkeeping coach, he also accompanied players such as Oliver Kahn on their way to the goalkeeping elite with ambition, training diligence and, of course, a good dose of humour.
FC Bayern says thanks!
The exhibit is a tribute to the birthday boy who shaped FC Bayern over many years. An emotive film sheds light on the goalkeeper and the man. From the likes of Franz ‘Bulle’ Roth, to Günter Netzer and Uli Hoeneß, many of his companions have their say, bringing the man Sepp Maier closer to the visitors from different perspectives. Selected exhibits shed light on various aspects of his life, including goalkeeper gloves developed by Maier in the 1970s and his personal magic box, which represents one of his hobbies. After all, Maier was not only a magician on the pitch, but especially off it. He will soon be there in person to see the exhibition in his honour for himself.
Museum visitors can look forward to an emotional insight until 5 May 2024, which is included in the admission price for the FC Bayern Museum.