He is best remembered for his exceptional career as manager of the West Germany national team in four consecutive World Cup tournaments, including winning the title in 1974, losing in the final in 1966, and coming in third in 1970.

[1] After World War II he began his career in football management in his native state of Saxony, then part of Soviet-occupied East Germany.

He was in charge of coaching selections from Saxony and the Soviet occupation zone before political interference to the sport made him flee to Western Germany in 1950.

[2] Having played in Hamburg for FC St. Pauli even during his Friedrichstadt spell,[3] he now was appointed player-coach with Hertha BSC Berlin where he had several former teammates in his squad but left before the end of the season.

He shares with England's Walter Winterbottom the distinction of managing the same national team at four consecutive World Cup tournaments.