German football is mourning the death of Udo Lattek. Germany's most successful football coach of all time died on Sunday in Cologne at the age of 80. News of his death was only made public today. Lattek was twice coach of Borussia Dortmund.

During his first spell in the post from 1 July 1979 until 10 May 1981 Lattek led BVB back to the top of the Bundesliga. In his second spell towards the end of the 1999/2000 season together with Matthias Sammer he rescued Borussia from the threat of relegation.

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Udo Lattek died a few days after his 80th birthday.

With a total of eight championships he is the most successful coach in Bundesliga history. In 1974 he won the European Champions' Cup with Bayern Munich, and five years later he led Borussia Mönchengladbach to victory in the UEFA Cup. In 1982 he won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona. He later went on to join Borussia Dortmund, 1. FC Köln (sporting director) and Schalke 04.

“Udo Lattek was a sportsman through and through, who helped shape German and European football with his modern style,” explained BVB president Dr. Reinhard Rauball, who was “very moved” at the news of the death of the former BVB coach. “Our thoughts are with his family,” added BVB chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke.

It was only recently, on 16 January, that Lattek celebrated his 80th birthday. Unfortunately he was already not in the best of health. Lattek suffered from Parkinson's disease. He died at the weekend in a nursing home in Cologne.

20 May 2000 is still remembered today. It was the day when more than 10,000 BVB supporters gave Lattek a standing ovation following a 3-0 win in Berlin that ensured the black and yellows avoided relegation. “We have a lot to thank Udo Lattek for,” Rauball recalled.

Borussia Dortmund will observe a minute's silence in memory of Udo Lattek before the kick-off at 20:00 tonight in their match at Signal Iduna Park against FC Augsburg.