1981-1987

Promotion and the Beginning of the Rehhagel Era

The 1980s started for SV Werder Bremen in the second division. The northern Germans had been relegated to the 2. Bundesliga for the first and only time in their history after finishing 17th. However, they did not remain there long. Coach Kuno Klötzer, who had to resign for health reasons a few games before the season ended, and his successor Otto Rehhagel led the Weser team directly back to the top division in 1981. This marked the beginning of a very successful era. Together with manager Willi Lemke, coach Otto Rehhagel built a team over years that could compete with the best in Germany and later Europe—and rose to become the main rival of FC Bayern Munich.

Erwin Kostedde, who scored 29 goals to help Bremen return to the Bundesliga in 1981, left the club in 1982/83 for Stade Laval in France. His replacement was quickly found: a certain Rudi Völler, who joined from the second division as the top scorer. Alongside players like Norbert Meier, Frank Ordenewitz, Thomas Schaaf, Johnny Otten, Benno Möhlmann, Manfred Burgsmüller, Frank Neubarth, and Dieter Burdenski, Völler later developed into an international-class striker.

Leap of Class and Title Dreams

Right after promotion in 1981, Werder was ready to take off. Relegation was no longer an issue for years to come. On the contrary, the Rehhagel squad finished six consecutive seasons in the Bundesliga’s top five. However, titles were still elusive during this rising phase. Werder finished as German runners-up in 1983, 1985, and 1986—missing the title in ’83 and ’85 only by goal difference (HSV had the edge in ’83, Bayern in ’86).

On April 22, 1986, Werder had a chance at an early win in the Weser Stadium. Michael Kutzop, who usually converted all his penalties, struck the right post in the 88th minute with the score tied 0-0 against Bayern Munich. Thus, Werder missed the go-ahead goal. A matchday later, Werder missed their last title chance with a 1-2 defeat at home against VfB Stuttgart—a draw would have been enough. Bayern then passed Werder in the final moment to clinch the championship. But Werder fans need not despair long; the championship was soon to follow.