Hans-Peter Briegel (born 11 October 1955 in Rodenbach, West Germany) is a former German footballer and manager, who played as a defender or as a midfielder. One of the most popular German players in his days, Hans-Peter Briegel's original sport was athletics, being successful in various events such as long jump (personal best: 7 metres 50 cm), triple jump and specifically in heptathlon-forerunner pentathlon. Briegel gained his best result as an athlete in Decathlon, but the son of a farmer struggled to compete properly in javelin throw and the high jump. So at the age of 17 he left athletics behind him, playing club football with hometown side SV Rodenbach near Kaiserslautern. During his playing days, he usually played as a left back and defensive midfielder. He was known primarily for his physical abilities as well as his good technical abilities and goal scoring abilities for a defensive player.