Soren Lerby’s Remarkable Dual Appearance in One Day

Soren Lerby, renowned for his tenure at clubs such as Ajax, Bayern Munich, Monaco, and PSV, experienced a unique intersection of club and country during his football career.

On November 13, 1984, 40 years ago, Lerby played for the Danish national team in Dublin as part of their final qualifier for the 1986 World Cup, while later that same day, he was scheduled to represent Bayern Munich in a last-16 German Cup match against Bochum.

Denmark required only a draw to secure their spot in the World Cup finals in Mexico. In a remarkable twist, Bayern’s then-general manager and future president, Uli Hoeness, proposed that Lerby participate in both matches. “He suggested, ‘Can you not ask [Danish coach Sepp] Piontek to let you play for 45 minutes or even less? We will arrange a private jet to pick you up for the game in Bochum later that evening,'” Lerby recounted. “I didn’t think it was too crazy; I was in the best shape of my life.”

During that era, teams were permitted only two substitutions per match. At halftime, with the score tied at 1-1, Lerby was allowed to continue playing. “Uli Hoeness was on the sidelines when I emerged for the second half, anxiously informing me, ‘The plane is waiting!'” recalled Lerby. “My main concern was his growing frustration as he had an expensive plane waiting for us.”

By the 57th minute, Denmark surged ahead, scoring two goals to take a 3-1 lead. Following a quick shower—despite Hoeness’s insistence on speeding up the process—Lerby made his way to the airport, escorted by police. Their flight proceeded smoothly until they encountered heavy traffic during the drive from Dusseldorf airport to Bochum’s stadium.

“The traffic was congested for three to four kilometers, as the stadium is situated within the city,” Lerby explained. “I had to jump out of the car and run the final stretch to the dressing room, which served as a rather effective warm-up.”

Unfortunately for Lerby, he found himself on the bench since Bayern’s coach, Udo Lattek, had already settled on the starting lineup. “I was quite disappointed because I wanted to start, but I did come in at halftime. The match ended in a draw after extra time, 2-2.”

Lerby ultimately scored in the replay match, which Bayern won 2-0, leading them to lift the trophy against Stuttgart in the final. However, Lerby didn’t perceive this accomplishment as particularly remarkable. “Later, I found myself at a bar in Bochum, reflecting on the day with a beer in hand, thinking, ‘That was a good job,’ but not considering it a significant achievement.”

He recalled the chaotic nature of that time, saying, “We often faced difficulties balancing duties to the national team with those of our clubs, making it challenging to participate in both.”

Nearly two years later, Hoeness again orchestrated a similar scenario, convincing Mark Hughes to play for Wales while simultaneously competing in a cup match for Bayern against Czechoslovakia. Whether Hughes received any bonus for his efforts remains unclear, but it’s a topic Lerby intends to discuss with Hoeness in the future. “I will definitely bring it up next time we speak, saying, ‘Uli, you missed something!’

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