[1] A successful striker, Zimmermann was signed by FC Bayern Munich and also appeared as central defender for 1.

Injury worries of his new club made him appear as defender and doing well on that adopted position prevented him from giving up his new role.

[3] In 1979, he even found the net, scoring vital goals in 1980 UEFA European Championship qualifiers against Wales and Turkey.

These goals brought him a call-up to the 1980 UEFA European Championship winning squad of his nation, not knowing that the mentioned qualifying fixture against Turkey would remain his final cap.

Two years earlier, in 1978, he had been with West Germany at the FIFA World Cup in Argentina, taking part against Poland and dropping out injured in the second half of the goalless draw against Italy at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.