Birthday boy of the month II: Jens ‘Melle’ Melzig turns 60

After reunification Jens joined Dynamo Dresden in the Bundesliga in 1991. He settled in straightaway and made 63 Bundesliga appearances scoring three goals. He impressed as a reliable defender with his clear and physical approach the game.

When Bayer 04 manager Reiner Calmund asked striker Ulf Kirsten in the 1992/93 season who was his most uncomfortable opponent to date he replied: "Jens Melzig." Calmund spontaneously brought the defender under the Bayer Cross. Over two years Melle made 40 Bundesliga appearances and he stood out above all for his undaunted commitment to challenges. He was a "destroyer" going in hard on his opponents but also on himself.

Unforgotten: Melle's Duels with Ronaldo

One particular memory is his impressive performance in the UEFA Cup second leg against PSV Eindhoven where he almost completely took the young Rinaldo out of the game. And that after the 17-year-old Brazilian had scored three goals against Melle in the first leg. Despite that, coach Dragoslav Stepanovic showed his confidence in him for the second leg and was rewarded for that. For Jens Melzig it still remains a moment he later described as a high point of his career.

In 1995 Jens moved on to Chemnitzer FC before returning to Energie Cottbus in 1996. He led the team into Bundesliga 2 and he played for his team in the 1997 DFB Pokal final against VfB Stuttgart – an historic moment for the club to this day. His experience and his mentality played a big part in the success of the Cottbus team back then.

Melle played for Tennis Borussia Berlin from 1997. He made 68 appearances and scored seven goals in his three years there. In the capital he was one of the key players and he achieved another promotion to Bundesliga 2.

still working at Cottbus 

Jens has remained loyal to football after the end of his playing career. He works as a youth coach for the Brandenburg Football Association where he looks after U15 and U18 teams. He passes on his experienced to young talented players. In addition he has an honorary role: Jens was voted onto the Energie Cottbus presidium where he still has an important role today and is still part of the honorary committee. He has remained loyal to the club – not just as a former hero on the pitch but also as a sounding board for the development of the club in the present.

Jens Melzig stands for values like reliability, being down-to-earth and ready for action. As a player he was always honest, robust and a team player. Characteristics that also mark him out as a coach and club official. His career tells the story of a footballer from the East who accepted responsibility and provides football with a lot of input away from the pitch.

Dear Melle, all the best on your 60th! I wish you good health and stay as you are!