"There is no bank that would lend to an eastern German manager enough money to do such a transaction," she said.

At the same time, a new generation of German managers is taking control of the country's leading companies.

The play had been sold out, but the frightened German manager hastily found four seats for them.

"At our first meeting with a dozen German managers, every other one had his hand in his pocket."

As for concerns about crime, "our German managers don't think it's a deterrent," she said.

The German managers were further less satisfied with the 'job itself' and 'organisational processes'.

"Schrempp's decision means that other German managers will make tougher decisions tomorrow to get a more focused business."

For instance, compared with their American counterparts, German managers were collecting pocket change.

Kurt Weinreich (born 1908 or 1909) was a German football manager.