Thomas Schaaf & Daniel Cottäus

Reading - DeichStube on Tour

15 years on the pitch, 14 years on the touchline: Thomas Schaaf is one of the great legends of SV Werder Bremen. In his official biography, he now tells his whole story for the first time - and even live on stage! Together with DeichStube chief reporter and author Daniel Cottäus, Schaaf will present his life story at a reading in the Stadthalle Osterholz-Scharmbeck. From 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 5, 2026, visitors can expect a green and white evening with plenty of Werder nostalgia, previously unknown anecdotes and very personal insights into the life of the Bremen double coach.

"Anyone who wants to find out more about me and take a deeper look into my life can look forward to it," says Schaaf, who worked with Weyher journalist Cottäus for around one and a half years on the book, which was recently published by "Die Werkstatt". The result is a work that provides a completely new perspective on the life and work of the now 64-year-old. More than 30 of Schaaf's closest companions from all phases of his life have contributed to this, who have their say in the book.

The soccer magazine "11 Freunde" calls the biography "spectacular" in its review and writes: "You get so close to Thomas Schaaf in this book that it feels like you're sitting at the table with him. As the book not only tells the story of Bremen's soccer history, but also that of Germany as a whole, it is certainly not just worth reading for fans of SV Werder." Meanwhile, the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" writes: "Daniel Cottäus' successful biography of the Werder legend is not a collection of anecdotes. A good 300 pages add up to 40 years of Bundesliga reading pleasure."

The first edition of "Thomas Schaaf - Die Biografie" was sold out within a very short time, the second is currently available and the third will be delivered shortly. The book made it onto the "Börsenblatt" bestseller list the week after it was published. The ranking traditionally published by the trade magazine of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association is one of the most prestigious in the country.

"The idea is that my life is reflected in the book, with all its facets and everything it has given so far," says Schaaf. "I want to pass on, present and explain one thing or another, because I've experienced a lot in my long time as a player and coach and was able to get to know a lot of great people." At the reading in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Thomas Schaaf would now like to share his experiences and views with the audience.