The Manchester City Project

Uwe Rosler was born in Alenburg, East Germany on 15 November 1968. He started his career in his native East Germany with FC Magdenburg in 1988 before moving to Dynamo Dresden in August 1991. Rosler went on an unsuccessful loan move to FC Nuremberg in the 92/93 season. Rosler was finding it difficult to adapt to life immediately after the reunification of Germany:
“I Suddenly saw more individualistic thinking, cliques, a powerful press and personal politics around team selection. The Wall was still there in some people’s heads and in many ways I was naive”

After the reunification some identified players from the East as substandard in Germany and so a move abroad appeared appealing in order to kick start his career.

Uwe joined City on trial in March 1994, during which he scored two goals against Burnley in a reserve match. The club offered him a three month contract where he proved his worth scoring five goals in twelve games making his move permanent from Dynamo Dresden.

Under manager Brian Horton Rosler came to prominence during the 94/95 season. Horton’s attacking approach saw the attacking talents of Nicky Summerbee and Peter Beagrie on the wings with Niall Quinn, Paul Walsh and Rosler challenging for a starting place. Rosler scored 22 goals despite missing several games through injury. He scored four of those goals against Notts County in the FA Cup to become the first City player to score four goals in an FA Cup tie since Johnny Hart in 1953. Rosler became the 1994/95 Player of the Year thanks to his battling displays and never say die attitude.

Unfortunately for Rosler and Manchester City it was Alan Ball who took over the reigns as manager . Ball successfully steered the club into one of its most disastrous eras resulting in relegation where Frank Clarke happily continued to play the worst football City fans have ever had the misfortune to watch.

Ball decided that City’s main strengths down the flanks did not have a future and so played Nicky Summerbee at right back, Beagrie who was injured was not replaced and he decided to sell the talented Paul Walsh. Ball felt that Rosler could not play along side Niall Quinn as they were seen as similar players Ball dropped Rosler to the bench. After publically disagreeing with Ball, Rosler was dropped from the side. Despite being unsettled Rosler remained steadfast in his loyalty to City and the Fans, he said:

“I will not ask for a move. The only way Uwe Rosler will go from Manchester City is if the manager calls me and says he’s accepted money from another club for me...”

Despite being left out of the squad and warming the bench he still managed to score 13 goals during the season, one of the most memorable came in the Manchester derby at Maine Road. With City 2-1 down Ball reluctantly brought Rosler on in the 69th minute from the bench – much to the delight of the home crowd. Two minutes later he scored! Immediately he ran to Ball and furiously pointed to his shirt number. Unfortunately City went on to lose the game 3-2.

That season City were relegated to the then First Division, where Frank Clark decided that he could do a better job than Ball – which he did – he made city even worse. Despite Clarks efforts Rosler remained determined to play for the club and scored a further 23 goals, scoring seven of those in six games, however he could not stop City from being relegated to Division Two. Rosler’s time at City had come to an emotional end. He joined German side Kaiserslautern on a free transfer.

Rosler went on to score a hat trick in the Champions League group stages in 98/99 for Kaiserlautern. After Kaiserlautern he had unsuccessful spells with Southampton, West Brom, Unterhaching and Lillestrom.

It was whilst at Lillestrom Rosler discovered he had a battle with cancer.
Two days after what was to turn out to be Rosler's final professional game – a 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt where he scored the only goal Rosler was told he had a tumour in his chest. Rosler said in an interview with the BBC:

"I couldn't run and I was struggling to breathe in that game so I was sent for an X-ray and the doctors discovered there was a big tumor in front of the lungs," Rosler told BBC Sport.

"I started chemotherapy and in a few weeks I had lost the body that I had worked on for over 25 years.

"I lost 12 kilos and all my muscles - it was a very strange feeling.

"The doctors told me that normally the cancer I had was very aggressive - but that it would respond to chemotherapy.

"I didn't want to know the percentage; I just wanted to know I had a good chance of survival.

“I am convinced that I will win this struggle – the hardest on in my life.”

After chemotherapy he made a full recovery. While in remission he obtained his coaching badges, to enable him to continue to work in football:

"I missed football so much when I was recovering and as I couldn't play any more my only chance was to coach."

He became manager of Lillestrom in the Norwegian Premier League where he led them to two successive fourth places in the league, and took them to the final of the Norwegian Cup in 2005 and the Royal League Final in 2006. After failing to win the finals he left Lillestrom in November 2006. Immediately he was appointed manager of Viking. In 2007 he led Viking FK to third place in the Norwegian Premier League.

Rosler hopes to one day manage in England or in his homeland: "Germany or England would be a dream for me as a coach, I have to work hard but, with a little bit of luck, it's something I hope I can achieve."

The chants and t-shirts imaginatively created by the Manchester City fans claimed that Uwe’s granddad bombed old Trafford; whilst untrue it helped Uwe’s cult status with the fans. During his battle with cancer Uwe was inundated with good luck messages and letters from Manchester City fans.

During his stay with Manchester City he captured the imagination and respect of the fans. The East German played with passion and pride, he loved the club and the fans, and his determined approach helped him become a fans favorite.