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“The Werder family will always be the Werder family”
MIO BACKHAUS IN HIS FAREWELL INTERVIEW
26/05/26
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A few days ago, the news was confirmed that Mio Backhaus will be leaving SV Werder Bremen. The goalkeeper, who joined Werder at U15 level, had not yet had the chance to say a proper farewell. He now has that opportunity in an emotional interview, speaking about his journey from the academy to the Bundesliga, the Werder family, and the support of the fans.
WERDER.DE: Hi Mio, after your farewell message, it was important to you to say goodbye in person as well. Why?
Mio Backhaus: After eight years here, it doesn’t feel right to just say goodbye in a short video. I wanted to do it properly and speak here in person. I’m very grateful to the club, so it deserves more than a clip with a plain background. I wanted Werder behind me, here in the stadium.
WERDER.DE: Your message on social media was very well received by the fans. What does that mean to you?
Mio Backhaus: It means a lot. When a player leaves a club, it’s not a given that the fans will react positively. I’ve received so many messages, and I’m glad the Werder fans will continue to support me.
WERDER.DE: It’s been a few days now. Have you started to process the fact that next time you come to the Weserstadion, it will be as an opposition player? Does that still feel surreal?
Mio Backhaus: When I run out in this stadium again, I’ll be part of the away side, and that will feel very strange. I’ll still come back a few more times before then, so today won’t be my last visit. But I still haven’t really processed it. So many things that were just normal for me, like the way I’d drive down to training, being in the dressing room with the lads, playing home matches here - it hasn’t really sunk in that all of that will be different next season. It feels quite odd when I think about it.
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WERDER.DE: You spent many years at Werder. What are your standout memories?
Mio Backhaus: Definitely my Bundesliga debut, that was a dream come true. Last season there were some great moments too, like the Nordderby and the win away at Wolfsburg. Home victories were always special in their own way. And the Heidenheim game, when I came out, and the whole stadium chanted my name; that’s something I’ll never forget.
WERDER.DE: You joined the club at 14. How special was your time in the academy?
Mio Backhaus: Very special. I came here from completely outside the region and had no real connection to the north. But I settled in quickly and felt at home straight away. That’s down to the environment, but especially the people who supported me along the way. I’ve got really positive memories. I’m still in touch with a lot of the lads, especially Keke Topp, as you can imagine. It was a really important period for me, from U15 to U19. I played in every age group here, finished my schooling here, and went through COVID here. I grew up in this place.
“Support him just as you supported me.”
WERDER.DE: You’ve talked about how important the environment is. Are you glad there’s a decent Werder presence at SC Freiburg too?
Mio Backhaus: Definitely. I already know Tony (Anthony Jung, editors note). And when I hear about the guys there, Maxi Eggestein, Patrick Osterhage, they all seem like really good people, so I’m looking forward to it. The Werder family will always be the Werder family.
WERDER.DE: Have you already been in touch with any former or new teammates?
Mio Backhaus: Yes. Maxi Eggestein has messaged me, as have Christian Günter and Tony. Everyone said they’re looking forward to it and that I should get in touch if I need anything. That really meant a lot.
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WERDER.DE: What will you miss most about Werder and Bremen?
Mio Backhaus: The fact that I’m part of a family here. I’ve been living here without my parents, and so Werder kind of became a family for me. The people here are really special to me and have shaped a big part of my life. I’ll miss them a lot. That includes not just coaches, but teammates, academy staff, and just the people around me. Thinking about not being able to just chat with them on the daily anymore is quite an emotional thought. But I’ll be back often enough that the connection won’t break.
WERDER.DE: Michael Zetterer imparted some very kind words about you when you were coming through. What would you say about your successor, Karl Hein?
Mio Backhaus: He’s a great guy and has supported me all season, and above all, he’s a really good goalkeeper. I don’t need to give him advice, but I do want to say something to the fans: please support him just as you supported me. Don’t set the expectations too high. He’s already had two excellent games and will have many more, but not everything will always go upwards. Back him in every situation. He’s a great person, and you’ll enjoy having him between the sticks.
WERDER.DE: Thank you, all the best, and see you soon, Mio!
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