Uwe Rosler was a popular figure at Manchester City during his time at the club between 1994 and 1998 - and his name was even used for a light-hearted chant that was aimed at their fierce rivals
21:44, 16 Nov 2025
Uwe Rosler, Manchester City football player, German signing, photocall at Maine Road, wearing top, Rosler's Granddad Bombed Old Trafford Fed 21st 1941, pictured Thursday 16th February 1995.
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Uwe Rosler inspired the anti-Man Utd chant(Image: Mirrorpix)
Ask any Manchester City fan about Uwe Rosler's Grandad - they'll all give you the identical response.
Born in Altenburg, East Germany, Rosler, who celebrated his 57th birthday on Saturday (November 16), represented City from 1994 to 1998. During his stint, he clocked up 158 appearances for Manchester United's noisy neighbours.
Rosler's beginning wasn't ideal, getting his marching orders on opening day in a 3-0 thrashing by Arsenal - but he quickly endeared himself to the City faithful. "When I moved to City in 1994, it was a perfect fit," he revealed to BILD.
"I was the first German on the island after many years and was initially viewed with suspicion. With my open, honest and emotional style of play, I won the affection of the fans."
Before long, his name was echoing around the Maine Road terraces: "Uwe's Grandad bombed the Stretford End," supporters would sing. City even produced t-shirts featuring the chant - which was playful and completely made-up.
Uwe Rosler, Manchester City football player, German signing, photocall at Maine Road, wearing top, Rosler's Granddad Bombed Old Trafford Fed 21st 1941, pictured Thursday 16th February 1995.
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Uwe Rosler's t-shirts sold out instantly(Image: Mirrorpix)
"I still have it framed in my apartment. I like English humour," Rosler shared with the German publication when discussing the song.
In his autobiography, Knocking Down Walls, Rosler elaborated on the t-shirt: "The first time I saw a T-shirt with 'Uwe's grandad bombed Old Trafford', I had to smile.
"I was learning English and both understood and enjoyed English humour so I totally got it. The German media were quick to pick up on it and I was being told that I couldn't allow that to happen and that they were making fun of our country's history.
Uwe Rosler of Manchester City running during the League Division One match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Maine Road on October 27, 1996 in Manchester, England.
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Uwe Rosler spent four years at Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
"I was interviewed for one paper and they said I must be upset and depressed about what was happening and I told them I was anything but. Totally the opposite in fact.
"I told them it was just English humour, that's the way it was and it was nothing more than harmless fun. There were 5,000 T-shirts printed and they sold the lot so it was a good idea by somebody!".
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"Besides, if I hadn't been accepted as one of their own, I don't think there's anyway those T-shirts would have appeared. By this time, I'd also been given the nickname 'Der Bomber' in the Manchester Evening News which was very flattering.
"Gerd Muller was the original Der Bomber but I couldn't compare myself with him – nowhere near, to be honest – but I liked it. Who wouldn't?".