Dr. Fritz Scherer, the long-time president, former vice president, and honorary president of FC Bayern Munich, has died at the age of 85. Scherer passed away on March 16, 2025, just one month after celebrating his 85th birthday. He leaves behind his wife, Claudia, his daughter Katja, and his granddaughters Lena and Emily.
Scherer had been associated with the German record champions since July 1, 1971, when he became a member of the renowned football club, holding membership number 418. Throughout his time at Bayern, Scherer was deeply involved, dedicatng over 30 years to various leadership roles within the club.
Herbert Hainer, president of FC Bayern, expressed his condolences to Scherer’s family and friends, stating, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Fritz Scherer. The FC Bayern will always hold his memory in the highest esteem. Fritz Scherer was loyal to the club for decades, and with him as president, central decisions were made without which FC Bayern would never be where it is today. Fritz Scherer was an architect of today’s FC Bayern. Thank you for everything!”
Uli Hoeneß, who began his tenure at FC Bayern alongside Scherer in 1979, reflected on their shared starting point. At the time, the club reported a turnover of merely twelve million Mark, which has swelled to roughly 950 million euros today during Scherer's lasting influence. Hoeneß remarked, “Fritz Scherer always had an open ear for everyone. He helped FC Bayern with his calm, objectivity, and expertise. With him as president, our club reached new heights, and he remained a faithful companion of FC Bayern.”
Scherer played multiple pivotal roles at FC Bayern, serving as treasurer from 1979 to 1985 before succeeding Willi O. Hoffmann as president. His presidency lasted until 1994, during which time Bayern Munich was crowned the German record champions by winning the league title in 1987. He continued to serve as vice president until 2012 when Karl Hopfner took over the role. His contributions extended to the supervisory board, where he remained influential over the years.
The legacy of Dr. Fritz Scherer has been well documented, particularly during his recent interview for the FC Bayern member magazine “51,” coinciding with his 85th birthday. During the interview, Scherer reflected on his time at the club and revealed his most cherished moments, including the first championship win during his presidency and the development of the Allianz Arena. “The Kaiser,” he noted, referring to Franz Beckenbauer, “is, in my eyes, the greatest personality the club has ever had.”
Scherer recalled the tumultuous time when Bayern’s fortunes fluctuated after a period of success during the 1970s. “With a new strategic direction, the development toward being a globally recognized club began. For me, FC Bayern is the best and most successfully managed club in the world. The ‘Mia san mia’ is still reality and reflects unity and strength, embodying the values and mentality of the club.”
Fritz Scherer asserted his belief in Bayern’s capacity for growth, particularly through investments made under key figures like Hoeneß. He expressed optimism about the future of the club, stating, “I had some expectation and optimism about the club achieving status as one of the greatest clubs globally. Investing millions in players used to be unthinkable, but today FC Bayern can afford to compete for the world’s top talent because enough money will be generated.”
Reflecting on its rise, Scherer took pride, noting how fans could be immensely proud of the club’s evolution. “Behind everything lies hard work, determination, and the courage to make strategic decisions,” he elaborated, emphasizing the importance of continuity, strong teams, and professional infrastructure investments as major factors in FC Bayern’s success.
At the 125th anniversary celebration last February, he expressed his hopes for the club: “I wish for the club to never stray from its path. It’s a tremendous challenge to stand up to the international top clubs. But ‘Mia san mia’ has established itself over the decades – and as long as this attitude is cultivated, FC Bayern will continue to inspire its fans.”
His unwavering contribution has had an immeasurable impact on the club through its challenges and triumphs. Tributes to Scherer have poured out from the FC Bayern community, with President Hainer and other club officials emphasizing his role as one of the defining figures of the club.
Today, as FC Bayern mourns the loss of Fritz Scherer, they also celebrate the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His strategic vision and passionate devotion to the club have shaped Bayern Munich, allowing it to flourish on both the national and international stages. Scherer will forever be remembered as one of the pillars of FC Bayern Munich, respected and cherished by all who knew him.