A former goalkeeper has died aged 54 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Georg Koch played for top European clubs such as Netherlands giants PSV Eindhoven, Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna and Croatian titans Dinamo Zagreb. The shot-stopper started his professional career with Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany’s Bundesliga in 1992, before enjoying successful spells with German sides Arminia Bielefeld, FC Kaiserslautern, Energie Cottbus and MSV Duisburg.
But he was forced to retire after a firework exploded near his right ear while playing for Rapid Vienna against bitter derby rivals Austria Wien in an incident that marred his top flight career. Koch, who had to be stretchered off, suffered hearing damage and issues with his balance that forced him to hang up his gloves in 2009.
(Image: Jam Press)
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Speaking back in March 2009 about the August 2008 incident, then 37-year-old Koch said he was quitting the game as he was still suffering from the effects. He said: “I hoped right to the last that I could carry on playing but I must recognise there is no point.
“Two idiots are responsible for my retirement,” said Koch, adding that “such an act should have consequences”.
The German goalkeeper, who was born in Bergisch Gladbach, rescinded his contract, and returned to his home near Dusseldorf.
He later came out of retirement in September 2009 to join sixth-tier club SC Herford. But he only played one senior game for the team and retired for the second and final time just two months after signing.
(Image: Jam Press)
He made a total of 213 top-flight and 165 second-division appearances. With Dinamo Zagreb, Koch won the league title and the Croatian Cup.
After retiring, he remained involved in football, working as a goalkeeping coach. Koch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2024, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Doctors only gave him six months to live. At the time, he said: “The disease is incurable, I will die. But God hasn’t decided when He’ll take me yet.”
(Image: Getty Images)
“I have to come to terms with the illness, complaining doesn’t help and it’s never been my style.”
He passed away at noon yesterday (March 4), just one month after his 54th birthday. Arsenal legend and former Germany keeper Jens Lehmann said: “It’s a sad day, Georg Koch has died. Far too soon!
“We often played against each other and he was often better than me.”