Michael Zorc (born 25 August 1962) is a German former footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Michael Zorc
Zorc in 2014
Personal information
Full name Michael Zorc
Date of birth (1962-08-25) 25 August 1962 (age 62)[1]
Place of birth Dortmund, West Germany[1]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Youth career
1969–1978 TuS Eving-Lindenhorst
1978–1981 Borussia Dortmund
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1998 Borussia Dortmund 463 (131)
International career
1982–1983 West Germany U21 2 (0)
1986 West Germany B 1 (0)
1987–1988 West Germany Olympic 5 (0)
1992–1993 Germany 7 (0)
Medal record
Representing  West Germany
Men's football
FIFA World Youth Championship
Winner 1981 Australia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Nicknamed "Susi" in his early days because of his long hair, he spent his entire career with Borussia Dortmund, appearing in 572 competitive matches in 17 seasons and scoring 159 goals.[2]

Subsequently, Zorc went on to serve as the club's sporting director.

Club career

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Born in Dortmund, Zorc played 463 Bundesliga games for Borussia Dortmund (a club record) between 1981 and 1998,[3] also being for many years the team's captain. He also ranked, at one time, their second all-time top goalscorer, thanks in part to his excellent penalty-taking ability.[4] He made his professional debut on 24 October 1981 in a 2–0 away loss against SV Werder Bremen, becoming first choice from his second season onwards.

The tail-end of Zorc's career saw also his greatest successes, as Dortmund were twice crowned national champions as well as winning the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup. He scored in double digits in seven seasons, including 15 apiece from 1994 to 1996.[5][6][7]

Upon retiring at nearly 36, Zorc became sporting director of Borussia,[8][9] still being in charge as the team won the national championship in 2002, 2011 and 2012[10][11][12] and playing a key part in pulling the club out of financial ruin alongside Hans-Joachim Watzke.[13] He stepped down in June 2022,[14][15] being replaced in the role by Sebastian Kehl.[16]

International career

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Zorc earned seven caps for Germany, but never made the squad for any international tournament. His debut came on 16 December 1992 at already 30, during a 3–1 friendly defeat to Brazil.[17]

Personal life

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Zorc's father, Dieter, played in the top division for VfL Bochum, and was an amateur international for Germany.[18]

Honours

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Borussia Dortmund

West Germany Youth

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Michael Zorc at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Bundesliga: Abschiedsspiel für "Susi" Zorc" [Bundesliga: Testimonial for "Susi" Zorc]. Der Spiegel (in German). 6 August 1999. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  3. ^ Arnhold, Matthias (14 January 2016). "Michael Zorc – Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Die besten Elfmeter-Schützen der Bundesliga" [The best penalty takers in the Bundesliga]. Rheinische Post (in German). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Dortmunder Helden – Was machen die Champions-League-Sieger von 1997 heute?" [Dortmund heroes – What are the Champions League winners of 1997 up to today?]. Hamburger Morgenpost (in German). 28 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Saison 1994/95 – Teil 1: Nach 32 Jahren endlich wieder Deutscher Meister" [1994/95 season – Part 1: Finally German champions again after 32 years] (in German). Schwatzgelb. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Saison 1995/96 – Teil 2: Und schon wieder Deutscher Meister, BVB" [1995/96 season – Part 2: Again German champions, BVB] (in German). Schwatzgelb. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  8. ^ "César Peixoto sidelined for Porto". UEFA. 9 January 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Dortmund take on Brazilian talent". UEFA. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  10. ^ "De Bruyne 'only wants Dortmund move'". ESPN FC. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  11. ^ Zocher, Thomas (16 October 2013). "Transfer news: Borussia Dortmund coy on links to Fabian Schar". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  12. ^ Tittmar, Jochen (3 August 2014). ""Wie ein einsamer Rufer in der Wüste"" ["Like a lonely preacher in the desert"] (in German). Spox. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  13. ^ Kleinmann, Patrick (14 May 2022). "Michael Zorc: Zwei Leben für Schwarz-Gelb" [Michael Zorc: Two lives in black and yellow] (in German). Kicker. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  14. ^ Hennecke, Thomas (3 April 2018). "Zorc zieht sich 2021 beim BVB zurück" [Zorc is retiring from BVB in 2021] (in German). Kicker. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  15. ^ Prat, Irati (14 May 2022). "Zorc steals Haaland's limelight as he bids farewell to Borussia Dortmund". Marca. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Sebastian Kehl to follow Michael Zorc as sporting director". Borussia Dortmund. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  17. ^ Arnhold, Matthias (14 January 2016). "Michael Zorc – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Lüner Fußball trauert um Dieter Zorc" [Football in Lünen mourns Dieter Zorc]. Westfälische Rundschau (in German). 16 October 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Deutscher Supercup, 1989, Finale" [German Supercup, 1989, Final] (in German). German Football Association. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Deutscher Supercup, 1996, Finale" [German Supercup, 1996, Final] (in German). German Football Association. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Junioren-Weltmeister 1981 – Zorc, Wohlfarth, Brunner & Co" [1981 Youth World Champions – Zorc, Wohlfarth, Brunner & Co.] (in German). Kicker. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
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