Michael Zorc
{{short description|German football player/general manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Michael Zorc
| image = Michael Zorc 2014 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Zorc in 2014
| full_name = Michael Zorc
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|8|25|df=yes}}{{WorldFootball.net|michael-zorc}}
| birth_place = Dortmund, West Germany
| death_date =
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1969–1978 | youthclubs1 = TuS Eving-Lindenhorst
| youthyears2 = 1978–1981 | youthclubs2 = Borussia Dortmund
| years1 = 1981–1998 | clubs1 = Borussia Dortmund | caps1 = 463 | goals1 = 131
| nationalyears1 = 1982–1983 | nationalteam1 = West Germany U21 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1986 | nationalteam2 = West Germany B | nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1987–1988 | nationalteam3 = West Germany Olympic | nationalcaps3 = 5 | nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 1992–1993 | nationalteam4 = Germany | nationalcaps4 = 7 | nationalgoals4 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|West Germany}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIFA World Youth Championship}}
{{Medal|W|1981 Australia|}}
}}
Michael Zorc (born 25 August 1962) is a German former footballer who played as a central midfielder.
Nicknamed "Susi" in his early days because of his long hair, he spent his entire career with Borussia Dortmund, appearing in 572 competitive matches in 17 seasons and scoring 159 goals.{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga-abschiedsspiel-fuer-susi-zorc-a-34258.html|title=Bundesliga: Abschiedsspiel für "Susi" Zorc|trans-title=Bundesliga: Testimonial for "Susi" Zorc|newspaper=Der Spiegel|language=de|date=6 August 1999|access-date=20 March 2014}}
Subsequently, Zorc went on to serve as the club's sporting director.
Club career
Born in Dortmund, Zorc played 463 Bundesliga games for Borussia Dortmund (a club record) between 1981 and 1998,{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/players/zorcdata.html|title=Michael Zorc – Matches and Goals in Bundesliga|publisher=RSSSF|first=Matthias|last=Arnhold|date=14 January 2016|access-date=21 January 2016}} also being for many years the team's captain. He also ranked, at one time, their second all-time top goalscorer, thanks in part to his excellent penalty-taking ability.{{cite news|url=https://rp-online.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/die-besten-elfmeter-schuetzen-der-bundesliga_iid-9502191|title=Die besten Elfmeter-Schützen der Bundesliga|trans-title=The best penalty takers in the Bundesliga|newspaper=Rheinische Post|language=de|access-date=2 November 2022}} He made his professional debut on 24 October 1981 in a 2–0 away loss against SV Werder Bremen, becoming first choice from his second season onwards.
The tail-end of Zorc's career saw also his greatest successes, as Dortmund were twice crowned national champions as well as winning the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup. He scored in double digits in seven seasons, including 15 apiece from 1994 to 1996.{{cite news|url=https://www.mopo.de/sport/fussball/dortmunder-helden-was-machen-die-champions-league-sieger-von-1997-heute--26961404|title=Dortmunder Helden – Was machen die Champions-League-Sieger von 1997 heute?|trans-title=Dortmund heroes – What are the Champions League winners of 1997 up to today?|newspaper=Hamburger Morgenpost|language=de|date=28 May 2017|access-date=10 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.schwatzgelb.de/artikel/2018/rueckblick/2018-06-19-saisonrueckblick-9495-teil1|title=Saison 1994/95 – Teil 1: Nach 32 Jahren endlich wieder Deutscher Meister|trans-title=1994/95 season – Part 1: Finally German champions again after 32 years|publisher=Schwatzgelb|language=de|date=19 June 2018|access-date=10 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.schwatzgelb.de/artikel/2019/rueckblick/saison-1995-96-teil-2-und-schon-wieder-deutscher-meister-bvb|title=Saison 1995/96 – Teil 2: Und schon wieder Deutscher Meister, BVB|trans-title=1995/96 season – Part 2: Again German champions, BVB|publisher=Schwatzgelb|language=de|date=24 July 2019|access-date=10 May 2021}}
Upon retiring at nearly 36, Zorc became sporting director of Borussia,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01b1-0f84850bd8e0-346a194d0ac2-1000--cesar-peixoto-sidelined-for-porto/|title=César Peixoto sidelined for Porto|publisher=UEFA|date=9 January 2006|access-date=2 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cd-0f84db23195c-3e3b50899f1c-1000--dortmund-take-on-brazilian-talent/|title=Dortmund take on Brazilian talent|publisher=UEFA|date=15 May 2008|access-date=2 November 2022}} still being in charge as the team won the national championship in 2002, 2011 and 2012{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1467069/de-bruyne-only-wants-dortmund-move?cc=5739|title=De Bruyne 'only wants Dortmund move'|publisher=ESPN FC|date=3 June 2013|access-date=30 January 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8974922/transfer-news-borussia-dortmund-coy-on-links-to-fabian-schar|title=Transfer news: Borussia Dortmund coy on links to Fabian Schar|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Thomas|last=Zocher|date=16 October 2013|access-date=30 January 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/1408/Artikel/michael-zorc-interview-borussia-dortmund-bvb-manager-sportdirektor-immobile-lewandowski-erwartungshaltung.html|title="Wie ein einsamer Rufer in der Wüste"|trans-title="Like a lonely preacher in the desert"|publisher=Spox|first=Jochen|last=Tittmar|language=de|date=3 August 2014|access-date=17 January 2016}} and playing a key part in pulling the club out of financial ruin alongside Hans-Joachim Watzke.{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/michael-zorc-zwei-leben-fuer-schwarz-gelb-901979/artikel|title=Michael Zorc: Zwei Leben für Schwarz-Gelb|trans-title=Michael Zorc: Two lives in black and yellow|publisher=Kicker|first=Patrick|last=Kleinmann|language=de|date=14 May 2022|access-date=2 November 2022}} He stepped down in June 2022,{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/zorc-zieht-sich-2021-beim-bvb-zurueck-720742/artikel|title=Zorc zieht sich 2021 beim BVB zurück|trans-title=Zorc is retiring from BVB in 2021|publisher=Kicker|first=Thomas|last=Hennecke|language=de|date=3 April 2018|access-date=17 August 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/bundesliga/2022/05/14/627ff7be268e3e0e688b45ec.html|title=Zorc steals Haaland's limelight as he bids farewell to Borussia Dortmund|newspaper=Marca|first=Irati|last=Prat|date=14 May 2022|access-date=2 November 2022}} being replaced in the role by Sebastian Kehl.{{cite web|url=https://www.bvb.de/eng/News/Overview/Sebastian-Kehl-to-follow-Michael-Zorc-as-sporting-director|title=Sebastian Kehl to follow Michael Zorc as sporting director|publisher=Borussia Dortmund|date=28 June 2021|access-date=17 August 2022}}
International career
Zorc earned seven caps for Germany, but never made the squad for any international tournament. His debut came on 16 December 1992 at already 30, during a 3–1 friendly defeat to Brazil.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/zorc-intl.html|title=Michael Zorc – International Appearances|publisher=RSSSF|first=Matthias|last=Arnhold|date=14 January 2016|access-date=21 January 2016}}
Personal life
Zorc's father, Dieter, played in the top division for VfL Bochum, and was an amateur international for Germany.{{cite news|url=https://www.derwesten.de/wr/sport/lokalsport/luenen/luener-fussball-trauert-um-dieter-zorc-id2087022.html|title=Lüner Fußball trauert um Dieter Zorc|trans-title=Football in Lünen mourns Dieter Zorc|newspaper=Westfälische Rundschau|language=de|date=16 October 2007|access-date=30 January 2014}}
Honours
Borussia Dortmund
- Bundesliga: 1994–95, 1995–96
- DFL-Supercup: 1989,{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/supercup/das-spiel/?spieledb_path=%2Fmatches%2F1969426|title=Deutscher Supercup, 1989, Finale|date=16 October 2014 |trans-title=German Supercup, 1989, Final|publisher=German Football Association|language=de|access-date=9 November 2020}} 1996{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/supercup/das-spiel/?spieledb_path=%2Fmatches%2F1972327|title=Deutscher Supercup, 1996, Finale|date=16 October 2014 |trans-title=German Supercup, 1996, Final|publisher=German Football Association|language=de|access-date=5 November 2020}}
- DFB-Pokal: 1988–89
- UEFA Champions League: 1996–97
- Intercontinental Cup: 1997
- UEFA Cup runner-up: 1992–93
- UEFA Super Cup runner-up: 1997
West Germany Youth
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1981{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/junioren-weltmeister-1981---zorc-wohlfarth-brunner-26-co--662613/slideshow|title=Junioren-Weltmeister 1981 – Zorc, Wohlfarth, Brunner & Co.|trans-title=1981 Youth World Champions – Zorc, Wohlfarth, Brunner & Co.|publisher=Kicker|language=de|date=22 May 2017|access-date=2 November 2022}}
- UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1981
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Fussballdaten|zorcmichael}}
- [https://www.dfb.de/die-mannschaft/statistik/spielbilanz-gegen/?spieledb_path=%2Fteams%2F479%2Fnational_player%2F45357 National team data] {{in lang|de}}
- {{NFT|14295}}
- {{FIFA|163673}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zorc, Michael}}
Category:West German men's footballers
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Dortmund
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Borussia Dortmund players
Category:Borussia Dortmund II players
Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players
Category:Germany men's youth international footballers
Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Germany men's B international footballers