Walter Fritzsch

Born on 21 November 1920, Fritzsch began his career as a player in 1927 with SC Planitz. In 1940, he transferred to VfL Leisnig and played there until 1943 after which he played for several other clubs including BC Hartha, SV Döbeln and Zwickau-Oberhohndorf. After World War II, he stayed in what would become East Germany and finished his playing days with Wismut Cainsdorf in 1950.

Fritzsch's playing career ended due to a back injury, he became a coach with Wismut Aue in 1950. Fritzsch then went on to work as trainer with a number of sides between 1952 and 1969 including Empor Lauter, Motor Dessau, SC Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt, SC Empor Rostock (where he earned three vice-championships) and Stahl Riesa.

Dynamo Dresden

Fritzsch joined Dynamo Dresden as a coach on 30 June 1969 and the club soon began the most successful period of its history. Under his guidance the black and yellow won five East German championships in the first division DDR-Oberliga (1970–71, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77 and 1977–78). The team also captured two East German Cups (FDGB-Pokal) in 1971 and 1977, and made 42 European Cup appearances. During his career the small, strict trainer also coached 40 national team players and helped uncover talents such as Ulf Kirsten and Matthias Sammer.

Fritzsch was succeeded as trainer at Dynamo by Gerhard Prautzsch and moved on to work for the East German Football Association (DFV), responsible for youth selections until 1989, when he retired. Over his career he had coached 1,900 games, coming away with 1,163 victories. His opinion was still sought out by his former club Dynamo Dresden when they became one of two former East German sides to join the Bundesliga after German reunification in 1990.

As a manager

Club

Dynamo Dresden

DDR-Oberliga: 1970–71, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78 FDGB-Pokal: 1970–71, 1976–77