Dynamo Dresden: Sigfried Held saves the season with a steady hand!

Dynamo Dresden: Sigfried Held saves the season with a steady hand!

The last few months have sent Dynamo Dresden on an exciting journey, which ultimately culminated in relegation in the Bundesliga. One man who made a significant contribution to this success is Sigfried “Siggi” Held, who was the club’s coach from 1993 to 1995. Only recently he reflected Kicker about the final challenges that Dynamo had to overcome in order to remain in the top German league.

It wasn't an easy path. The club has repeatedly had to struggle with latent unrest in the recent past. But Held, who has had an impressive career as a player and coach, was the right man at the right time for the team with his stoic composure. His ability to bring calm into turbulent phases was particularly evident towards the end of the season.

Remarkable playing career

Sigfried Held, born on August 7, 1942 in Freudenthal, Sudetenland, initially found his way to football at Kickers Offenbach. He made his debut in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 1965 and left a lasting impression with 442 games and 72 goals. In addition to his club positions, Held was also a valuable player for the West German national team and took part in the 1966 World Cup final. He played a total of 41 international matches and scored five goals.

The highlights of his career as a player are numerous. With Dortmund he won the European Cup Winners' Cup and led the U23 national team as captain. After retiring from playing in 1981, Held ventured into coaching. From the Bundesliga to international assignments – his impressive list of positions shows how versatile the professional footballer was.

Success as a coach

Held's coaching career took him to Schalke 04, the Icelandic national team and Galatasaray, among others. His experiences in the Bundesliga made him a sought-after coach, and he was also able to provide valuable inspiration in Dresden. The 1993/94 season was marked by successes that stabilized the club before it eventually moved on to Japan and Leipzig for other challenges.

What sets Held apart from many other coaches, however, is his ability to shape teams over the years. Even though he is no longer on the sidelines, his influence on football in Germany and beyond is still felt. He currently serves as a fan representative at Borussia Dortmund, which shows that his relationship with football remains close even in retirement.

The over 30 years in football, both as a player and as a coach, are an impressive testament to Held's passion and commitment to the sport. Even though the seasons for Dynamo Dresden were full of challenges, the fan community agrees: A good part of the current success can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Sigfried Held.