Bundesliga record-holding ref Dr. Felix Brych announces retirement | OneFootball

There was huge news emanating from the Bundesliga front on Sunday. Perhaps German football’s most-respected match official, Dr. Felix Brych, will be hanging up his boots after the season. The 49-year-old announced his decision via German television channel Welt TV.

Dr. Brych officially became the Bundesliga’s all-time record holder for number of top flight matches officiated on matchday three of the current 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign. He surpassed Wolfgang Stark’s previous record of 344 Bundesliga fixtures officiated.

At present, Brych has reffed 352 Bundesliga games. Retirement has nevertheless been in the cards for some time. Brych suffered a horrible PCL tear in November 2023 matchday 12 encounter between Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart. This was the game in which he tied Stark’s record.

After being sidelined for nearly a year, Brych returned to work this autumn. A new injury incurred during a matchday 18 encounter between Holstein Kiel and Hoffenheim. which left him sidelined again this year.

Brych was already allowed to continue beyond the normal mandatory German refereeing retirement age of 47.

“As an athlete, one realises at some point that it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain this performance level,” Brych noted on the TV channel. “Training becomes more and more arduous. It’s a dream to referee in the Bundesliga, but it must still be worth it. I’m glad I can take this step. I wish to set the end-line for myself.”

As is the case with any referee, Brych’s biggest career mistakes will always be remembered. The phantom goal awarded to Leverkusen’s Stefan Keißling in October 2013 shall never be forgotten by German football fans.

On the international level, Brych’s famous non-call in Switzerland’s FIFA 2018 World Cup group stage win over Serbia shall never be forgotten. Brych was not allowed to whistle any more games at that tournament, though he was later rehabilitated for the 2021 European Championship.

During his long career, Brych was honored as Referee of the Year in Germany five times (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021) and twice (2017 and 2021) as world’s best referee. He also whistled two DFB Cup finals in 2015 and 2021 and the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017.

GGFN | Peter Weis