Former Denmark coach Sepp Piontek has passed away at the age of 85 after a brief illness.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Danish Football Association (DBU) expressed, “Sepp will always be remembered as one of the most influential national coaches in the history of Danish football,” via a post on Facebook this Thursday.
The news of Piontek’s death was first reported by Danish television station TV2, which cited sources close to his family.
Piontek began his career on the pitch as a defender for Werder Bremen during the nascent years of the Bundesliga, playing a pivotal role in helping the team clinch the championship title in 1965. However, an injury would cut his playing days short, prompting him to transition into coaching. He took the helm at Bremen, then moved on to lead Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Haiti national team, and St. Pauli, before taking charge of the Danish national team in 1979.
His tenure with Denmark marked a significant chapter in the country’s football history. Piontek catapulted the team to cult status when they qualified for their first men’s World Cup in Mexico in 1986, ultimately reaching the knockout stage.
After parting ways with the national team in 1990, Piontek continued his coaching journey with stints in Turkey and Greenland, further solidifying his legacy in the world of football.
