Background
He was born in Ürzig, Germany.
He was born in Ürzig, Germany.
In 1934, he was approached by Werder Bremen but, instead of joining them, told the DFB that Werder were dishing out financial offers to players. At that time football was still strictly amateur in Germany (officially) and payments to players were not permitted. The affair ended in the club and some of their officials, players and the team manager being fined and suspended.
He played from 1934 to 1942 in 28 international matches for Germany and scored 27 goals.
Two years later as a 21-year-old, Conen"s career was halted due to illness. This kept him away from football for three and a half years.
Conen was courageous and battled through to return to the national team on 25 June 1939. On this date in Copenhagen against Denmark Conen made the perfect comeback, with a goal in the 2:0 victory.
During World World War II in 1942, he played his last international match.
Conen and a young Fritz Walter were on fire for Sepp Herberger"s crew. After end of war Conen worked as a coach, in the middle of the 1950s, with Eintracht Braunschweig in the North and Wuppertaler SV in the West. He later coached Bayer Leverkusen, SV Schlebusch and BV Opladen.