• Germany legend Sepp Maier turns 80 on 28 February

• As a player, he won the FIFA World Cup™ and UEFA European Championship

• He went on to be the goalkeeping coach for the DFB and Bayern Munich

On 28 February 2024, arguably the greatest German goalkeeper of all time - Josef Dieter 'Sepp' Maier - will celebrate his 80th birthday.

The career of the Bavarian legend, who was known throughout Germany for his hilarious quotes and cheeky interviews, is steeped in records and chapters of German and international footballing lore. As a player, and then as a goalkeeping coach, Maier made his mark on football and inspired countless generations of keepers.

The career of the 'Anzing Cat' as he was known, named after his hometown in Bavaria, began in the 1960s at TSV Haar, where he played as a striker before joining Bayern Munich in 1962. Over the years, he would become a living legend at the club. His commanding presence between the posts, incredible reflexes and ability to step up his level whenever a crucial moment came made him a key player at the club, for whom he made over 500 appearances and was a cornerstone of their many titles.

Maier was an integral part of the incredible Bayern team of the 1970s that enjoyed continued success on the domestic and international fronts. With Maier in goal, they won the German League (1972, 1973, 1974) and Cup (1966, 1967, 1969) on three occasions. The high-point of his club career was the European Cup win in 1974, when Bayern defeated Atletico Madrid in the final and laid the foundations for future continental success.

Maier also helped fashion an era of dominance for his country. From 1966 to 1979, he picked up 95 caps for West Germany, winning the EURO in 1972 and the FIFA World Cup™ on home soil in 1974.

A serious car accident in 1979, where emergency surgery was required to save his life, brought an end to Maier’s playing days, but he remained part of the football scene, passing on his experience and knowledge as a goalkeeping coach. Many a talented keeper developed under his watch and went on to play at the highest level for club and country.

As Germany’s goalkeeping coach (1988-2004), Maier played a significant role in bringing on the next generation of keepers. His influence was clear when Die Mannschaft won the World Cup in Italy in 1990, with Bodo Illgner a stand-out performer between the posts.

He also left a lasting impression on Bayern Munich as a goalkeeping coach (1994–2008). He worked closely with a number of players and built a close relationship with the legendary Oliver Kahn, who became a world-class custodian on Maier’s watch.

Maier’s career was certainly impressive in pure sporting terms, but he also set standards for future generations of goalkeepers that remain to this day. His tireless commitment to football and unparalleled passion for the game – coupled with his lust for life and irrepressible humour – have made him a true legend of the sport whose influence will continue long after his 80th birthday.

• FIFA World Cup (1974)

• European Championship (1972)

• European Cup (1974, 1975, 1976)

• European Cup-Winners’ Cup (1967)

• Intercontinental Cup (1976)

• German League (1972, 1973, 1974)

• DFB Cup (1966, 1967, 1969)

On the demands of goalkeeping: “A keeper should give off a sense of calm, but not fall asleep while doing so.”

On long-time team-mate Frank Beckenbauer: “When Franz falls out of a window, he falls upwards.”

On his penalty-saving record: “I was always cool when it came to penalties. The people taking them didn’t need to worry – I rarely stopped any of them.”

On goalkeepers’ physiques: “Being full of muscles looks good in the team photo but not when you’re actually in goal.”

On how important positioning is for goalkeepers: “If you’re standing in the right place, you don’t need to fly.”