Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff is one of the best players in the history of German soccer. He scored his most famous goal in the final of the European Championship 1996 when his header in overtime helped Germany win the game against the Czech Republic. Today, Bierhoff is the caretaker manager of the German national team.
Early Years
Oliver Bierhoff was born on May 1, 1968, in Karlsruhe, Germany. His first soccer team was Essener SG.
After playing for a while, he moved to Schwarz-Weiss Essen and played together with Jens Lehmann, who would go on to have a stint as the German national team's starting keeper. His friendship to Lehmann would later become a critical issue during his time as Germany's caretaker manager.
Bierhoff, together with Coach Jürgen Klinsmann, decided that Lehmann was Germany's number one goalkeeper for the FIFA World Cup 2006. Some critics said his friendship to Lehmann played an important role in this decision, but Bierhoff always denied that.
Bayer Uerdingen
Sponsored
In 1985, Oliver Bierhoff moved to Bayer Uerdingen. After he had played one season for their successful U19 team, he became part of the senior squad in 1986.
He played 31 games for Uerdingen and scored 4 goals before he moved to Hamburger SV in 1988. He struggled with his form in Hamburg and was transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach after 2 years on average level.
The time in Gladbach would be even worse. He just played 8 games and left after 6 months to join Austria Salzburg.
He scored 23 goals in the 1990/1991 season. This was a new club record.
Time in Italy
Inter Milan were impressed by his performances and signed him for the following season, but immediately sent him to Ascoli Calcio in the second highest league.
He never played a game for Inter Milan. He stayed in Ascoli for 4 years and scored 48 goals in 117 games.
After these 4 years, he moved to Udinese Calcio. This transfer would become his final breakthrough in senior soccer. He stayed from 1995 to 1998, played 86 games and scored 57 goals before he was signed by the Italian giants, AC Milan.
Oliver Bierhoff was named Germany's player of the year in this season. He played for Milan from 1998—2001. All in all, he scored 37 goals in 91 games.
In the summer of 2001, he moved to AS Monaco, and, one year later, he moved to AC Chievo Verona. In 2003, Bierhoff ended his career. He scored 103 goals in his time in the Italian league and is still one of the most successful foreigners who have ever played in the Seria A.
