The blond angel soars again

By Svend Frandsen

In a traumatic season that has seen FC Barcelona replace coach Louis van Gaal with Radomir Antic, former Camp Nou hero Bernd Schuster is finding success in charge of Spanish second division side CD Xerez.

'The blond angel'
Schuster was known as 'the blond angel' during an illustrious playing career in which the German midfield player enjoyed immense success at Spain's three most famous clubs FC Barcelona, CF Real Madrid and Club Atlético de Madrid. However, the 43-year-old has no intention of hanging up his wings after becoming coach of promotion contenders Xerez. For many he is seen as the long-term answer to the continuing managerial woes at Camp Nou.

Controversial figure
Schuster can well afford a wry smile as he looks back at a playing career where his outstanding technical ability shone but which was dogged by controversy. His ever-enthusiastic father encouraged the eleven-year-old to join SV Hammerschmiede Augsburg in 1971 and even at such a tender age it was obvious the youngster had something special to offer.

Humble and polite
Schuster's growing talent was further groomed during a two-year spell with 1. FC Augsburg whom he joined in 1976. VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern München both vied for his services, but in 1978 it was 1. FC Köln who captured the signature of the always humble and polite Schuster who would arrive for training on a motorcycle.

The classic playmaker
Despite Köln having recently celebrated a league and club double Schuster was not overawed by his new surroundings. Under the guidance of legendary coach Hennes Weisweiler he developed into a classic playmaker with the magic touch and slide-rule pass. However, his penchant for doing his own thing on and off the pitch led to Weisweiller’s successor, Karl-Heinz Heddergott, demoting his star to the bench.

Europe at his mercy
On the other hand, German national coach Jupp Derwall had no reservations about including Schuster in his squad for the 1980 UEFA European Championship in Italy. Derwell was duly rewarded as Schuster’s sublime ball skills and terrific reading of the game not only helped Germany capture the title, but also the attention of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.

The grand stage
Schuster moved to Barcelona to escape the bench at Köln as well as the unwanted attentions of the press who focused more on his marriage to wife Gaby. The grand stage was made for Schuster where his huge potential was finally fulfilled. Over an eight-year period he formed healthy partnerships with the likes of Steve Archibald, Allan Simonsen and Diego Maradona. He helped steer the Catalans to a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1982, with a 2-1 win against R. Standard de Liège.

'Forgotten hero'
Schuster enjoyed further success with Barça's bitter rivals CF Real Madrid where he won the league title and Spanish Cup and then Club Atlético de Madrid where he lifted another domestic cup. However, his international ambitions turned sour when he broke his leg shortly before the 1982 FIFA World Cup Finals. He never regained his regular spot in the German side and as he struggled to come to terms with the federation hierarchy Schuster soon became the 'forgotten hero' - only remembered whenever times were tough for the national side.

Much sought after
Schuster finished his playing days at Mexican club Universidad Autónoma de México and, after a brief return to Germany, was tempted back to Spain in 2001. A much sought after TV guest and a leading spokesman for the Christian Science movement, Schuster's main aim is to lead Xerez into the Primera División. Few would bet against 'the blond angel' one day landing back at the Camp Nou.