Jurgen Grobler, who guided British crews to gold medals at each of the last seven Olympic Games, has stepped down as Chief Coach of the GB Rowing Team with immediate effect.
The 74-year-old has coached 20 Olympic champions to 33 gold medals since arriving from Germany in 1991, making him one of the most successful Olympic coaches of all time.
From the pair of Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in Barcelona to the men’s four and eight double in Rio, Grobler’s departure marks the end of an era in British rowing.
The German explained his decision to step away from Caversham to enable planning for Paris 2024 to begin and paid tribute to the many who have put their dreams in his hands.
💪 20 British Olympic Champions
— British Rowing (@BritishRowing) August 21, 2020
🥇 33 Olympic Gold Medals
After nearly 30 years with British Rowing, Jürgen Grobler will bring to an end one of the most successful and decorated coaching careers in the history of rowing and the Olympics.
Read more 👉 https://t.co/bw17i9bnfx pic.twitter.com/6CuEdYVXli
“I have had the most incredible experience with the GB Rowing Team working with fantastic British athletes for nearly three decades,” Grobler said.
“This has been a hard and difficult decision but British Rowing has big plans for Paris 2024 and we want to organise it now to give the GB Rowing Team the best chance of success.
“I can’t commit for the next four years so I have resigned in order to let everything start now.
“For nearly 50 years of my coaching career I have been in the driving seat, working with athletes and fellow coaches.
“People trusted me to help them achieve their dreams but the show must go on and I really wish the British team well.”
Grobler was known for keeping crews afloat despite the injuries and fluctuations of an Olympic cycle, famously with Tim Foster’s injury in the build-up to Sydney 2000.
Foster helped Redgrave win his fifth straight gold in Sydney and started an unbeaten run of five consecutive British golds in the coxless four, a boat that meant so much to Grobler.
A testament to the German’s ability to manage change is that 23 crews have medalled at World Championships since 1991, of which 16 were gold.
Grobler informed his athletes on 20 August that he would not be continuing to Tokyo 2020 in 2021.
Olympic champion Mohamed Sbihi said: “This news is emotional for me and is a big shock. Jürgen is a father figure to me.
“Everything I have achieved in my career is down to a handful of people and he is the main reason for my success.
“As a team we now have to honour his legacy through our performances over the next year and in Tokyo.”
A huge day for British Rowing & the rowing world.
— Alex Gregory (@AlexGregoryGB) August 21, 2020
I feel incredibly lucky & proud to have worked with Jürgen, to have been in two of his Olympic gold boats, to have been a tiny part of his huge success.
I wish more knew of his extraordinary influence.
Thank you Jurgen! https://t.co/Y2dDpEOmnB
IOC President Thomas Bach led tributes from the Olympic family, saying, “Behind every great athlete and every great team is a great coach. They are the unsung heroes of sport.
Thank you for your positivity, belief and making me see my strengths! Happy retirement, you will be missed! https://t.co/9CQ8j3SrDp
— Karen Bennett (@KarenBennett89) August 21, 2020
“So it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to Jürgen who is an exceptional talent and someone who has benefited so many athletes.
“His dedication is a great example for everyone in the Olympic Movement. I wish him all the best for the future.”
Sir Hugh Robertson, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: “Jürgen has been an extraordinarily successful coach in one of Team GB’s most important sports.
“He has coached, inspired and supported athletes to deliver their best results when it mattered, Games after Games, across generations of athletes, and has been a key ingredient in Team GB’s phenomenal success.
"As a coach and as a man, he will be hugely missed.”
Sportsbeat 2020