After announcing that he will call time on his playing career at the end of the 2023/24 season, Christian Groß will have a maximum of eleven more chances to step out on the pitch in green and white. In an interview, “Grosso” discussed his decision to retire, the friendships he made at the club, and his plans for a future away from the game.
WERDER.DE: Moin, Grosso! You’ve chosen to draw the curtain on your football career at the end of this season. How difficult was it for you to make this decision?
Christian Groß: Extremely difficult. I’ve played football for my whole life – that’s what I’m known for. It’s definitely not a decision you can make overnight, but something that you think about for a long time. I came to the conclusion with my wife and family over the Christmas break that it was time for me to hang up my boots.
WERDER.DE: When we first met four and a half years ago, you told us that you wanted to enjoy every moment of your time here. Do you feel as though you managed to do that?
Christian Groß: Absolutely. Looking at my résumé, after many years in the 3rd division, I've been able to enjoy many seasons of Bundesliga football with Werder. I’ve gained a lot of experience from both the highs and the lows throughout my time here. Nevertheless, I’m proud to be a part of the positive changes that the club is currently going through.
WERDER.DE: You came to us with a lot of experience under your belt, and were said to be a mentor for the younger players in the Regionalliga. Could you ever have imagined that your career would take off in this way?
Christian Groß: Of course not. On the day of my first training session in Bremen, I never would have thought that I would rack up almost 100 Bundesliga appearances. Things developed over time and I repeatedly set myself new goals to achieve on a regular basis. I kept at it ever since my first Pokal game against Atlas Delmenhorst and eventually made my league debut. I stayed composed, dealt with everything that came my way, and ended up playing in a few more games after that.
“When the opportunity arises, the player has to seize it with both hands.”Christian Groß
WERDER.DE: Have you ever taken a moment to sit back and reflect on your achievements as a player and leader of the team?
Christian Groß: Of course I feel proud when I look back on my time at Werder and the importance of the role I played on the pitch. For example, when I was recently asked about my spell at Babelsberg, I said that I had no regrets. Although it was the third division and everything was on a smaller scale, I took a lot away from my time there, so I’m happy that’s how things turned out. Perhaps every step in my journey has made me into the person I am today.
WERDER.DE: Ömer Toprak told you that he can’t understand why you first came into Bundesliga football so late on in your career. Is that something you’ve ever thought about?
Christian Groß: It’s a real compliment when a former player with a wealth of experience like Ömer Toprak says something like that about me. There’s no luck involved in my opinion, just a positive turn of events. At the end of the day, people are responsible for creating their own luck. When the opportunity arises, as it did for me at the time with Florian Kohfeldt, the player is the one responsible for seizing it with both hands. When you get given time on the pitch, that’s something that you’ve worked hard to deserve.
WERDER.DE: What’s your biggest takeaway from your career in professional football?
Christian Groß: It’s hard to choose one. I learned a lot, and worked alongside many head coaches and sporting directors. As a player, you want to pick up something from everybody and try to learn as much from them as you possibly can. However, it wasn’t always positive, particularly when we were relegated, but you can always take something away from the lower moments.
WERDER.DE: Were any of your encounters with former players particularly memorable for you?
Christian Groß: I’ve grown very close to a couple of them over time. Halil Savran is one of my best friends from my spell in Osnabrück, and I also have a really close bond with Fülle like before. I keep in regular contact with one or two of them.
WERDER.DE: You are the oldest player in the squad. Does it feel like you’re of a different generation to some of your teammates?
Christian Groß: I think it’s great, because I also know some things about the generation before me. The hierarchy was different back then. You had to initially change in a different dressing room before you could move in with the rest of the team. Now it’s common practice to integrate the boys quickly. I’m trying to show everyone though that you earn respect out there in games at the stadium, rather than before that.
WERDER.DE: What aims have you set for the final eleven Bundesliga games of your career?
Christian Groß: I’ve always given my all to increase the chances of the team doing well. That’s exactly what I’m going to do in these eleven games. The season isn’t over yet and I’m going to give everything to make sure that we achieve the aims that we’ve set.
I’ll remain in the footballing world in one way or another.Christian Groß
WERDER.DE: You have a follow-up contract for after your retirement. What are your plans for when the season ends?
Christian Groß: In football, you never know what’s around the corner. First and foremost, I want to spend time with my family and do some travelling. I want to give back to those who supported me throughout my entire career. I’ll remain in the footballing world in one way or another. We’re in discussions at the moment, and will determine how things will look for me after my retirement.
WERDER.DE: We wish you all the best for the remaining eleven games! Thanks for taking the time to speak to us, Grosso!
