Fortuna Düsseldorf is one of the positive Surprises of the season. Trainer veteran Friedhelm Funkel talks in the Interview about his personal record, Social Media, hair spray, and the voltage in the League.
DW: Mr. Sparkle, the League approaches the last third. How would you describe the season to date, Fortuna Düsseldorf?
Friedhelm Funkel: very changeable, but also very successful. We were initially quite good in the season, in the first five five Games have been brought in, including a remarkable victory against Hoffenheim. Then, we have lost six games in a row. However, in this Situation, all remained very calm and realistic. Then, we have brought three victories in the series at the end of the first half of the season, including the great success against Dortmund. Also in the back round, we are off to a good start and we have built in the meantime, a starting position, is the great hope for power to remain in the Bundesliga.
After 14 game days it looked threatening, with nine points, 18th place. How did you get the curve?
The initial spark was the 4:1 home win against Hertha, and our first Threesome after six defeats in a row. And we thought: we can do it Yes! The victory after that against Dortmund has given us even more self-confidence, especially the way, because we have not masoned or a fortunate win.
Ten points of the projection is currently on place 16. What does this mean for the Moment?
It is simply sensational to have such a position. We couldn’t have dreamed of us before the season that we are at this point in time, for example, in front of the FC Schalke in the table. Sometimes you have to pinch ourselves. The guys have earned the right to. But the distance to the line, in 16th place, we always have an eye on.
Always a team player
801 League games as a player and coach. What means this number?
This number means a lot to me, I need to say to be quite honest. If someone would have said in 1973, I would have explained, of course, for crazy. I have been very lucky that I am healthy still and always a great team and a great comrade-in-arms at my side. My coaching career I have 1991 with Co-Trainer Armin Reuters Hahn (Bayer Uerdingen, Anm. d editorial), is still as assistant coach, active (at Eintracht Frankfurt, editor’s note. d. Red.). 801 games, this is truly an incredible number.
Watch the Video 01:21 live Now 01:21 Min.
Sparkle: “The number 801 means a lot to me”
How did the trainer work in the decades?
The coaching staff has increased extremely. It has many experts on its side, which are formed in their areas. In football, the tactical, the area not so easy for me a little, but in the areas of training, teaching, psychology, or medical care, it is important to accept the choices of others. This requires a lot of team work. I was as a player, always a team player and also from the first day as a Trainer. This is perhaps one of the reasons why I’m so long in the Bundesliga.
That is, they have always been open to new ideas?
Absolutely, you have to be. The Knowledge around football has developed tremendously. Scientific pollution control as an example – something not there before. Since you have assessed everything after feeling, the players looked at and had to find out if he is really broken, or only some plays. Today, professionals are totally under control. The values converge with us and we know exactly who is gone a lot. Also in the area of video analysis has changed extremely. We used to have two VHS video recorder, side by side, and scenes compared. This has lasted for hours. Today, our analysts make in seconds. I think that it is a total for all the better and more intense.
Must be no friend of Social Media in order to understand the players
In the winter break, there was confusion as to their contractual future. First of all, her farewell was announced, then, the contract was extended. How did you feel about the Situation?
My goal was always to stay in the first Bundesliga next coach. If the club had not wanted to do that, I would have stopped. There were different points of view, but ultimately we agreed. One or the other is of course stuck, but it prevents me from not at all to give this club everything and continue to work so that we stay in the League.
They are long years in the business. If you think of all the current things off the course, Social Media and co. – you understand, like the young players tick?
I’m not a fan of this Social Media world, but I do not need to know this world, to meet people. I can feel, in spite of the generation difference, well in the guys and with my life and knowledge of people achieve quite a lot of experience. We Elderly don’t have to understand, we can prepare the player to situations on the ground, or build. The players today have many benefits, but you can’t do anything undetected. We used to be dragged around the houses and have time to drink a couple of Beers. Has anyone interested and was not recorded.
Earlier, the hairs stood up on half past ten
In contrast, players today publish their activities, as the example of Borussia Dortmund once again impressive.
When I hear that the Dortmund players on the evening before (before the Champions League game against Tottenham, 0:3, note. d Red.) the Barber to the Hotel, since I get cramps abdominal. This wins or loses, I know that, but it’s a bit off is the concentration. There is geflachst, instead of dealing with the opponent. Football professionals have so much time and could go at other times to the hairdresser.
Watch the Video 01:12 live Now 01:12 Min.
Sparkle: “Because I get cramps in stomach”
Times have changed during their careers, but strong…
However. When I think of all the tattoos (laughs). But this should make you quiet. Another example: If we came earlier than players from the Warm-up in the cabin, since we were already dirty, and the hairs stood up on half past ten, half past eight or half-past twelve – and so it went out to the game again. Today the guys come in, make yourself clean, and stand in front of the mirror, take the hair spray and a hair sits more wrong. But don’t go on the catwalk, but have to laugh for 90 minutes on the lawn, plowed land (). But if you want to do so, that’s fine with me. It’s all part of the I accept.
The primary goal of the classes stop, and then…
How difficult is it nowadays to create a balance between commercialism and Tradition?
To maintain the Tradition, of course, will always be heavier. It is so much money in the game, but you wanted it so. We in Düsseldorf want to remain an independent Association, established on their own, without the help of investors in the Bundesliga. It is, of course, to compete is always more difficult than a small club. Mainz and Freiburg are our role models.
What do you want?
I wish that we could create the classes. I said that Fortuna Dusseldorf will be my last stop in the League, I stand by that. If we stay in it, then I am again next season on the line. The Cohesion in the team and the Team around them is extraordinary. I’ve never experienced. In addition, it is planning, at my age, hypothetically. I’m at an age where I can still do a lot of other nice things, as long as I’m healthy. The sometime priority.
The Interview was conducted by Markus Hoffmann
Friedhelm Funkel:Born in 1953, stations as a player: Bayer 05 Uerdingen, 1. FC Kaiserslautern – stations as a coach, including Bayer/KFC Uerdingen, MSV Duisburg, 1. FC Köln, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hertha BSC Berlin, Fortuna Düsseldorf (since 14.3.2016). 801 League games (320 as a player, 481 as a coach) he drew with Felix Magath. Only Jupp Heynckes (1038) and Otto Rehhagel (1033) are ahead of him.