Willi Lemke, Bremen, Germany – The football community is deeply saddened by the passing of Wilfried "Willi" Lemke, a revered figure in German football, who passed away at the age of 77. Lemke’s remarkable contributions to SV Werder Bremen and his impact on the sport have left an indelible mark on the football world.
Lemke’s tenure as the general manager of SV Werder Bremen, from 1981 to 1999, was a period of unparalleled success for the club. Under his leadership, Werder Bremen secured the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup, the Bundesliga title in 1988, and DFB Cup victories in 1991 and 1994. His vision and dedication were instrumental in these achievements, and his legacy remains a cornerstone of the club’s history.
Beyond football, Lemke’s influence extended into politics, where he served as Bremen’s senator for education and science from 1999 to 2007, and later as senator for interior and sport until 2008. Even after stepping away from daily operations, he continued to support Werder Bremen as a dedicated member of the supervisory board for 17 years.
The news of Lemke’s passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes from the football community. Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04, expressed his condolences, noting Lemke’s profound impact on German football. Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04’s managing director for sport and a former Werder Bremen player, also paid tribute, reflecting on Lemke’s significant contributions and his compassionate leadership.
On social media, heartfelt messages from those who knew Lemke personally further underscored the depth of his influence. Peter B. Ndolo shared on Facebook, "Rest in Peace Willi Lemke. My deepest condolences to the Lemke family. No words can express how great and inspiring Mr. Lemke was to many of us youth worldwide who share a love for sports. From a humble boy in the slums, he helped nurture me into who I am today."
Zack Ochola expressed his sorrow, stating, "Oooh. My great person Willi Lemke. It’s hard to say rest easy. So sad." Other comments included sentiments from Karambu Muthee, George Mwangi, Alfred Calypso, and Akab Obed, all reflecting on Lemke’s remarkable character and the impact he had on their lives.
Lemke’s passing marks the end of an era for Werder Bremen and German football, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.