In brief
Eike Immel, former Man City goalkeeper, has declared bankruptcy and now lives off benefits in a municipal flat.
Immel’s financial difficulties began after spending extensively on bills and personal costs throughout his football career.
The German is one of several former footballers facing financial issues post-retirement, with 40% predicted to become bankrupt within five years.
Formerly of Bundesliga duo VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund, Eike Immel’s life presently seems the polar opposite of the one he lived as one of football’s most beloved glovesmen in his peak, having been declared bankrupt while navigating post-football life.
Immel, at 63 years of age, enjoyed a bright career between 1978 and 1997 after coming from die Schwarzgelben’s academy levels. Internationally, the goalkeeper notched up 19 caps for West Germany after making his debut in October 1980, aged 19, under Jupp Derwall.
A one-time European Championship winner, the Stadtallendorf-born goalie has disclosed that he has gone from living the opulent life of a professional to living off benefits in a council flat, frequently with as little as £2 in his bank account.
Eike Immel – Senior Career Statistics
Club
Looks
Goals Conceded
Clean Sheets
Yellow/Red Cards
VfB Stuttgart
340
465
112
15/1
Dortmund Borussia
280
480
62
5/0
City of Manchester
50
71
13.
0/0
West Germany
19.
15.
9.
0/0
The sum
689
1,031
196
20/1
Before retiring from the English team, he also played for Manchester City for three seasons, totalling fifty matches. Overall, the 1960-born star kept 187 clean sheets – and conceded 1,016 strikes – in his 670-game club career.
But that all suddenly changed 16 years ago – in 2008 – after being forced to declare personal bankruptcy, 11 years on from his retirement from professional football. Amid his financial difficulties, his wife filed for divorce, and he had to give up custody of his children.
Inside Immel’s Financial Struggles ‘ Money wasn’t a concern for me in the past
What went wrong, then? Immel has returned to his hometown of Stadtallendorf after living out many young men’s dreams for just under 20 years, following his wife’s divorce. Unfortunately, he was also forced to relinquish custody of his kids.
According to MailOnline, he told Stat 1 that he used to “live the life of Riley,” which is portrayed as an easy and opulent existence, after accruing large sums of money for his phone and new clothes for his ex-partner.
“In the past, money wasn’t an issue for me. Riley’s life used to be mine. My monthly mobile phone bill occasionally reached €10,000 [£9,000]. I spent twenty-five thousand pounds on outfits for my new girlfriend one Christmas.
“The bailiffs were at my door at one point, even though I paid £1 million for my house. I did things that are impossible for a regular person to believe. I hadn’t thought about the future enough. One of my weaknesses is handling money.
Immel continued by mentioning the significant shift in his lifestyle since retirement, stating that he currently receives £972 a month in state benefits, which is a far cry from the money he was making when he was playing.
Immel also talked about how his friends have supported him during this difficult financial period. In addition, he was given the furnishings in his flat as a gift and frequently dines at a restaurant operated by a friend close to his home.
“I currently receive £972 in benefits each month. Only £481 remains for other expenses after £491 is spent on rent. Making ends meet is a true struggle. Sometimes I’m down to only £2. I’ve received all of the apartment’s furniture, and I get to eat for free at a nearby restaurant thanks to a buddy. Thank you for the assistance. However, I wish things weren’t this way.
Bankruptcy and Football Players
Wes Brown and Lucas Neill also confronted with financial difficulty
Immel is clearly having a hard time adjusting to life after football, but many former pros have fallen into bankruptcy over the years. In February 2023, former Manchester United star Wes Brown was the target of a bankruptcy petition filed by HMRC.
After ending his career, the former England international talked candidly about the difficulties of dealing with money problems, acknowledging that he lacked the “right people” to mentor him during the formative years of his playing career.
Another former professional who has suffered from financial anxiety after ending his career and hanging up his boots is Lucas Neill, a former centre-back for West Ham United and Australia.
The former West Ham United captain talked to The Times about his challenges in life after football, which included earning a substantial £40,000 a week and becoming entangled in a tax scheme.
“I had nothing left, but people couldn’t believe it. My lowest point was that. I have nothing to show for my 20 years of football play and all of this effort.
According to a spokesman who spoke to MailOnline, an estimated 40% of professional football players file for bankruptcy within five years of retiring, and many of them must deal with the defiant anger of HMRC, whose demands for repayment of large, contested tax reliefs can be costly.
