"I’d have to make a gut decision"

Ole Werner answers questions from the fans

Ole Werner answering questions in front of a green background, with a phone in the foreground..
Ole Werner was often caught smiling during the questions from fans (Photo: WERDER.DE).
First Team
Wednesday, 27.07.2022 / 16:15

Werder’s preparation for the 2022/23 season has come to a close after five long and intensive weeks. On Monday, 01.08.2022, Ole Werner’s men play their first competitive match of the season against Regionalliga side Energie Cottbus. But before the start of the season, WERDER.DE gave fans the opportunity to put their questions to the head coach. Among other things, Werner confessed that he is excited to face his first Bundesliga game as manager, and that there is no one pre-match ritual that he swears by.

WERDER-DE compiled all the answers from Ole Werner to fans’ questions.

Fans: Are you excited for your first season in the top flight?

Ole Werner: Excited is maybe the wrong word, but you are always tense before the first competitive game of the season. It is not so much about being in the top flight, but also about the task at hand in Cottbus, which we are preparing for accordingly. There is always a strong atmosphere there. I’m looking forward to getting out there, because our pre-season has been relatively long. We’ve worked well, so I see us as being well-prepared. Now it’s crunch time and before the first game you never know exactly where you stand. So there’s a kind of tension there. I’m obviously really looking forward to this league season though, and to the cup game in Cottbus.

Ole Werner gesticulating in front of the dugout at the Vorparkstadion.
There will probably not be a derby in Hamburg this season. (Photo: nordphoto).

Fans: Which away game are you looking forward to the most?

Ole Werner: That’s difficult to answer because there are lots of exceptional stadiums with great atmospheres. I’ve already played in Dortmund twice, though without spectators, and am looking forward to now playing a third game against Dortmund likely in front of a sell-out crowd, because the atmosphere in the stadium should be something really special. Definitely a difficult task, but like everything, we will take on the challenge. It’s a game that you really look forward to.

Fans: Would you rather a win in the derby against Hamburg or against Bayern?

Ole Werner: Apart from in the cup there won’t be a derby game, so this year a win against Bayern would be more important. Obviously we know who we have to play home and away this season. But we will try to make every game as hard as possible for our opponents. If a derby comes up in the cup, then I would have to reconsider my answer.

Fans: Will the team’s style of play remain so brave and attacking In the Bundesliga?

Ole Werner: It is important to adjust certain things to the qualities of the opposition and the particular nature of the league. We’ve adjusted certain things as a result to prepare for these new conditions.  But it is also the case that we have to keep up what we developed last year, and to build on that. It is one of our strengths to play in the right areas, have clear plans, but also rarely be at risk of conceding and keep the ball away from our goal by winning the ball high up the pitch. We have to implement this as often as possible in order to be successful

Fans: Which outfield player would you put in goal if the situation arises?

Ole Werner: I’ve never thought about it properly. I’d have to make a gut decision. I don’t have much of an impression from training, although sometimes this or that player goes in goal after training. I’d probably look to go with a pretty tall player. It’s a really difficult question, I’ll keep thinking about it, so that I’m prepared in case it happens (laughs).

Ole Werner stands crouched on the touchline giving Romano Schmid instructions.
Werner intends to utilise the possibility to make five subs. (Photo: nordphoto).

Fans: Do you prefer five subs a game or three?

Ole Werner: Originally the change to five subs felt very foreign to me. But I have to say that from my perspective it is a very sensible rule that gives you as a coach even more opportunities to change things and also allows even more players from your team to directly participate in a game. So overall I would say that the possibility to make five changes has been good for the game.

Fans: Which Werder legend would you like to have coached?

Ole Werner: There are so many. Not too long ago there is Claudio Pizarro, a player that when I was young and watched football always played at the highest level. So he is the first one that comes to mind.

Fans: How does it feel to be almost the same age as some of the players?

Ole Werner: For me it is normal, but that will unfortunately change one day (laughs). The players will become even younger in comparison to me. The role is more important than age and that is clear anyway: I’m the coach, I choose our direction, I make the decisions. It probably doesn’t really matter then if the coach is 34 or 84, as long as these decisions lead to a position where you are able to develop as a team and as players, and your relationships with one another are sensible and respectful, even when making difficult decisions.

Ole Werner laughs.
Werner was also asked a couple of more personal questions (Photo: W.DE).

Fans: What music do you most like listening to?

Ole Werner: There is such a wide range. If you’re listening to music through YouTube or Spotify then you get a playlist made by the algorithm. Mine is a mishmash of everything from rock, to Hip-hop, RnB to Pop, I listen to everything if I’m in the right mood.

Fans: What is your favourite food?

Ole Werner: There is also a wide range here. I eat almost everything and like lots of things. Personally, I really like having a barbeque. In autumn and in the cold months I like eating green cabbage, I like hearty food. There are not many things that I don’t like.

 

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