Thomas Schaaf - The last title-winning coach: with 14 years and one day in charge of one club, Schaaf belongs to the longest-serving coaches in German professional football. From May 10, 1999 until May 11, 2013 he held the reins and led a once uncertain team back to the top of the Bundesliga. But the story of Schaaf and Bremen goes back much further.
The Mannheim-born defender was with Werder from 1978 to 1995 not only as a youth player and professional but later as a youth coach as well. When he made his first-team debut he was the youngest player ever to appear in the Bundesliga for Bremen. As a player he won two league titles, two DFB Cups and the Cup Winners' Cup.
As a coach he later led the club to the 2004 championship, three DFB Cups and the UEFA Cup final of 2009. After the double in 2004 he was named coach of the year.