Gunnar Sauer

Gunnar Sauer (born 11 June 1964) is a German retired footballer who played as a central defender, most notably with Werder Bremen.

Gunnar Sauer
Personal information
Full name Gunnar Sauer
Date of birth (1964-06-11) 11 June 1964
Place of birth Cuxhaven, West Germany
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Libero, centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1985 Werder Bremen II 126 (12)
1984–1996 Werder Bremen 134 (8)
1996–1998 Hertha BSC 8 (0)
1998 VfB Leipzig 12 (0)
1998–1999 VfB Oldenburg 11 (0)
Total 303 (8)
National team
West Germany U21 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Over the course of 13 seasons (12 with his main club), he amassed Bundesliga totals of 134 games and eight goals despite being plagued by injuries which kept him out of action for long periods.[1]

Sauer represented West Germany at Euro 1988, but did not gain an international cap.

Club career

Werder Bremen

Born in Cuxhaven, Lower Saxony, most of Sauer's career was spent at SV Werder Bremen. His best years came between 1986–91.

He contributed greatly to Werder Bremen's championship in the 1987–88 Bundesliga season, commanding the "club's probably best ever defence" which conceded just 22 goals.[1]

On 13 September 1988, in a home match against Bayern Munich he injured his foot.[1]

From 1991 injuries kept Sauer out of action for long periods and he was mainly used a backup, making only 17 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen.

During the 1991 DFB-Pokal final against 1. FC Köln, which Werder Bremen won after penalties, Sauer again sustained an injury, hurting his Achilles tendon. This injury required four operations for him to play football again and he made his comeback in April 1994.[1]

Later years

In 1996, Sauer left Werder Bremen having spent 15 years at the club joining Hertha BSC.[1] He helped the club promote from the second division, although he played very little. After one campaign each with VfB Leipzig (second level) and VfB Oldenburg (regional leagues) he retired in 1999 at the age of 35.

International career

Sauer was summoned by the German national team to the UEFA Euro 1988 tournament, but did not leave the bench for the hosts, never being recalled afterwards.

Also in 1988, he was called up for the 1998 Summer Olympics. Due to an injury he did not make an appearance but received a bronze medal.[1]

Style of play

Considered "perhaps the best libero" in his time, Sauer was known for his "elegant ball control" and great range of passing.[1]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total Ref.
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Werder Bremen II 1983–84 10––10 [2]
Werder Bremen 1984–85 Bundesliga 1000––10 [2]
1985–86 1010––20 [2]
1987–88 2512020–291 [2]
1987–88 3324093–465 [2]
1988–89 19220201[lower-alpha 1]0242 [2]
1989–90 182305200264 [2]
1990–91 220500000270 [2]
1993–94 1000000010 [2]
1994–95 110001000120 [2]
1995–96 3100000031 [2]
Total 13481701951017113 –
Hertha BSC 1996–97 2. Bundesliga 8000000080 [2]
VfB Leipzig 1997–98 2. Bundesliga 120000000120 [2]
VfB Oldenburg 1998–99
Career total 15481701951019113 –
  1. One appearance in DFL-Supercup

Honours

Club

Werder Bremen

Germany

References
  1. Bähr, Christoph (7 October 2017). "Bremens Beckenbauer". Weser Kurier (in German). Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  2. "Gunnar Sauer » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
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