Uli Hoeneß has been known for decades for his emotional and direct manner. A curious anecdote from Thomas Helmer illustrates just how far this could go during his time as manager of FC Bayern. The former Bayern captain revealed that an argument between him and Hoeneß once nearly got completely out of hand.
On the sidelines of the SPORT-BILD Awards, where Hoeneß was honored Monday evening with the Legends Award for his lifetime achievement, Helmer looked back on his time with the current honorary president.
The 61-year-old made no secret of the fact that things could get quite heated between the two of them. “He sometimes did some wild things. When he gets emotional, I’ve seen a different side of him in the locker room. We even almost came to blows once. I wanted to beat up Uli Hoeneß,” Helmer revealed.
“And you walk around like my grandfather!”
The incident occurred during a Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv at the old Olympic Stadium in Munich. Although Bayern led 1–0 at halftime, they were anything but satisfied with their own performance.
“It was a Champions League game—I think it was against Kyiv. The old Olympic Stadium, a wind chill of minus 17 degrees, 13,000 spectators—but it was broadcast live on TV,” Helmer recalled. Kyiv had several great chances in the first half but failed to capitalize on them.
Hoeneß subsequently lost his temper in the locker room. Helmer recalled the dressing-down he received at the time: “What kind of game are you playing? What are you offering the fans? This is an insult to FC Bayern. Millions are watching, no matter how many are here in the stadium—even if it’s cold.”
But that wasn’t all. As Helmer walked past Hoeneß, the defender also got a personal dressing-down: “And you’re running around like my grandfather!”
That dig finally sent Helmer over the edge.
Helmer throws a cup at Hoeneß
The then-Bayern pro grabbed a cup of electrolyte drink and threw it at the manager. “But I didn’t hit him—I hit the wall. Then he was smart enough to go hide with the physical therapists in the locker room,” Helmer reported.
So it didn’t come to a physical altercation. What’s particularly remarkable is how quickly the heated argument was resolved afterward. “The next day, we had a very open conversation. Uli never held a grudge,” explained the former national team player.
The fact that the episode did not cause lasting strain on their relationship is evident from Helmer’s assessment of Hoeneß today. Despite all the friction back then, the Bayern boss enjoys his immense trust.
“There are two people in the world I’d go to if I had a problem. Whether it’s personal, financial, or health-related—one of them is Uli Hoeneß!” Helmer gushed.