Two goals still missing. It seems only a matter of time now when Simon Terodde from Schalke will become the best goalscorer in the history of the second division. His predecessor shows himself to be fair – and yet also has a bit of a tummy grumble.
He was often dubbed the “Gerd Müller of the 2nd Division”, but Dieter Schatzschneider felt flattered at best, not correctly classified. He never wanted to put himself on the same level as his legendary Munich striker colleague, who recently passed away after a long illness. “What Gerd achieved is far above everything.”
But if the ex-Hanoverian is now likely to lose his record of 153 goals in the 2nd division, set in May 1987 and thus more than 34 years old, to Simon Terodde of Schalke in the next few days, or weeks at the latest, he wants to accept it in true Müller style. “If it had still been possible for Gerd, he would certainly have been one of the first to congratulate Robert Lewandowski,” Schatzschneider said of the Pole’s recent new record of 41 goals in the season, which surpassed Müller’s eternal 40-goal streak from 1971/72. “That’s how I want to keep it. “
“He is an instinctive footballer in front of goal like I was back then. “
DIETER SCHATZSCHNEIDER ON SIMON TERODDE
There is still a bit of a tummy rumble for Schatzschneider, though. Terodde’s current tally of 152 goals is one goal short of a tie and one goal short of a change in the lead in the perpetual scorer’s list of the lower house. This Sunday, he plays with Schalke against second-to-last Ingolstadt and then in the game after that in – Hannover! “He just shouldn’t take the record from me with goals against 96 of all teams. That wouldn’t have to happen!” Schatzschneider, who once played for Fortuna Cologne in League Two and even for Schalke in the Bundesliga from 1984 to 1986, worries, but still has very close ties with his home club in Lower Saxony. Whatever the case, he will be happy to extend his hand to his successor around the match on 15 October. “After all, I haven’t met Simon Terodde in person yet. The 63-year-old leaves no doubt that he will be a worthy heir to his all-time high. “You have to work for something like that. Being a striker against 2nd division defenders is tough. Simon got it right – he’s an instinctive footballer in front of goal like I was back then. “
DFL disallowed Schatzschneider a goal after the fact
Schatzschneider is prepared for the baton change and is relaxed about it. He is taking the impending farewell to his record in his stride. However, the Hannover attacking icon had to be really annoyed with the DFL, who actually managed to check Schatzschneider’s goals since July 1978 once again in the archives and found that one of the supposed three goals for Hannover in the 4-2 win on 27 July 1979 was actually an own goal by Uwe Groothuis of then opponents OSC Bremerhaven.
“Simon Simon”.
“Simon Terodde will be the new record holder and I don’t begrudge him that. “
DIETER SCHATZSCHNEIDER
“What highly paid employees at the DFL have time for…”, Schatzschneider marvels at how his long 154 goals have now officially become 153. His consolation: “Even if I’m soon only the second-best goal scorer – my performance remains.” And in relative terms, he is even further ahead in the duel of the giants for the time being. With 0.76 goals per game, his total of 201 second division games puts him ahead of Terodde, who currently has a quotient of “only” 0.58 after 261 games. Playing with numbers! For Schatzschneider it is clear: “Goals are goals. That’s what counts. Simon Terodde will be the new record holder and I don’t begrudge him that. He has earned it. “
