Welcome back to the Get German Football News advent calendar. As the countdown to Christmas continues, so does our festive fun on day nine, as we remember FC Nürnberg and their nine German championships.
With 33 German champions, Bayern Munich have rightfully earned the nickname Der Rekordmeister. Nevertheless, before the record champions became the powerhouses of German football that they are today, there was a club considered so dominant that they had garnered the nickname Der Club.
By the time Bayern won their second German championship in 1969, Nürnberg were already nine-time champions and by far the most successful club in the country. However, since then, they have been unable to lift the Meisterschale aloft, and their record of nine German championships has been savagely overtaken.
But to forget their accomplishments would be a mistake. To still be known as the second most successful club in Germany, in regard to domestic success, highlights the remarkable achievements made prior to the 1970s.
With five German championships in seven years, from 1920 to 1927, Nürnberg established itself as the club to beat in German football. However, from there, their success would be staggered. Two more German championships would be claimed in 1936 and 1948, before their eighth league title would be won in 1961.
The reformation of German football in 1863 saw the Bundesliga become the country’s first-ever singular top flight and Nürnberg would be forced to wait until 1968 to win their only-ever Bundesliga crown. But then disaster struck.
Relegation the following year signalled the end for Der Club, as the financial problems that came with relegation back to the regional leagues meant Nürnberg would fail to recover and ultimately never be the same again. In contrast, that same season, Bayern won their first Bundesliga title and second German Championship.
Has the balance of power shifting ever been so clear to see in European football?
GGFN | Will Shopland
