Legendary Bayern Munich coach Dettmar Cramer dies

Berlin: Dettmar Cramer, the coach who led an unforgettable Bayern Munich side to European Cup glory in 1975 and 1976, has died at the age of 90, the Bavarian club said on Friday.

Cramer took over Bayern Munich in 1975 and won the European Cup twice in his only two seasons at the club.

His celebrated line-up featuring the likes of Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Mueller and Karl Heinz Rummenigge, beat Leeds 2-0 in the 1975 final before defending the title against Saint Etienne 1-0 a year later.

"To many people, Dettmar Cramer was more than merely a sporting figure," said Bayern chairman Rummenigge.

"To me he was like a fatherly friend, and the biggest influence on my early years as a professional. To a large extent, I have him to thank that I was very successful as a footballer. FC Bayern mourns the loss of a great coach and special individual."

Cramer also worked with the national team as assistant coach at the 1966 World Cup where Germany lost 4-2 to hosts England in the final.

The much-travelled Cramer also coached throughout the world including stints in the United States, Japan and South Korea.