Socceroos mourn ‘giant’ of famous World Cup

Schaefer was a milkman by trade, and had to take leave from his regular job in order to travel to West Germany with the national team.

He also forged a stellar career with St George Budapest and won the NSW championship in 1967, 1971, 1974, and 1975.

Following the 1974 World Cup, Schaefer transitioned from playing to coaching, and managed a number of professional teams up until 2004.

“Today we mourn the passing of a giant of Australian football in Manfred Schaefer,” FA chairman Chris Nikou said.

“Even after retiring as a player, Manfred influenced the careers of so many of the nation’s finest players through his technical brilliance and strong managerial skills for almost three decades.

“Manfred loved all levels of Australian football and would regularly be found supporting the sport, whether at grassroots, NPL, Australia Cup or national team level, where his presence will now be sorely missed but always felt.”

Schaefer was born in Germany but migrated to Australia when he was 10 years old.

He is a legend of the St George Budapest club, for which he played 450 games.

He made his Socceroos debut in 1967 and quickly became a mainstay in the team’s defensive line, and was instrumental in the 1974 World Cup run.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

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