“Bremen is where I became a fan of a club”

With the end of the season fast approaching, so too is the time to say goodbye. SV Werder Bremen will be saying farewell to Leonardo Bittencourt at the end of the current campaign. In his final interview at the club, the 32-year-old spoke about his seven years in Bremen, his best and worst moments and his plans for the future. 

WERDER.DE: Leo, seven years at Werder are coming to an end for you. To keep the goodbye from being too painful, let’s start with what was your worst moment at the club?

Leonardo Bittencourt: Being relegated. And meeting you (laughs).

WERDER.DE: We thought that’s what you’d say. What will you miss the most about Werder?

Leonardo Bittencourt: It’s difficult to say. It’s something that you’ll only know once you’ve left. I’ll definitely miss all the staff, as I had a lot of fun with them. The people here, who were part of this time with me. I’ll definitely miss cracking jokes with them every morning. 

WERDER.DE: And what will Werder miss the most about you?

Leonardo Bittencourt: Hopefully nothing. Players come and go. I hope that the club are able to be more successful than they were while I was there. I don’t know whether they’ll be able to find anyone that can say “Dreierlachs” (Ed.: literally ‘Triple salmon,’ used whenever Werder pick up three points) with as much passion and in a higher pitch than I can. 

WERDER.DE: You’ve also seen players come and go. Did you ever think of leaving Werder before the end of your contract? 

Leonardo Bittencourt: I said at the time that I’d maybe have left if I hadn’t gotten injured the season when we went down. Because I was happy here and, deep down, didn’t really want to leave, it was one of those things where the decision was taken out of my hands. The thought crossed my mind again that winter, but I wouldn’t have felt comfortable turning my back on Werder and the team at that point.  

WERDER.DE: You joined Werder on Deadline Day in 2019. At the time, did you ever imagine that you’d stay here for seven years?

Leonardo Bittencourt: I didn’t think that it would turn into such a long time. I was sitting in the car with my dad and my agent at the time and I said that the time had come for me to settle in somewhere. I felt like that would be possible at Werder. Deep down, maybe it was something I managed to convince myself of. After the first couple of games, however, I immediately had a good feeling. 

WERDER.DE: You’ll have spent more time at Werder than at any other club in your career as a professional footballer. Where does Werder rank internally for you? 

Leonardo Bittencourt: First! Cottbus is where I matured and after a year and a half there, I quickly moved on into the wider world of football. That will remain my hometown club, where I had a wonderful time as a child, a teenager and then as a professional. Here in Bremen is where I became a fan of a club, however. For me, my time at my previous clubs was always short, nice and intense. Seven years does help turn you into a genuine fan. The fact that Werder are such a special club is something that you only know once you’ve been here. 

WERDER.DE: Family is extremely important to you. How difficult will it be to move cities now?

Leonardo Bittencourt: The important thing was that everything would be sorted early enough and that we had enough time to communicate it to our kids. They’re very excited and are looking forward to something new. My kids went to school here, and here is where my son was born. He’s already asked me whether he’s allowed to keep being a Werder fan. I told him that we’ll be fans forever and that we can watch the games together. At Werder, the families sit behind the fans and it feels like the only thing my children know is Werder songs and chants. 

WERDER.DE: We started on a negative note. What positives are you taking with you from your time here?

Leonardo Bittencourt: I can’t even begin to pick out one single moment. Winning promotion was incredible, and our away games at Schalke and in Berlin were special. Winning my 300th Bundesliga game in Wolfsburg was great, too. Overall, I’d say just every positive moment. 

WERDER.DE: What was your best goal for Werder?

Leonardo Bittencourt: There are so many to choose from, which one will it be? (grins) Both goals against Dortmund were nice, but I’m also a big fan of headers. My diving header in Wolfsburg or the left-footed shot at Schalke. Based on everything, the floodlights, the atmosphere and the way the game went, it has to be the home game against Dortmund – a real thunderbolt. 

WERDER.DE: What will you remember most from off the pitch?

Leonardo Bittencourt: A lot. I get to know a lot of great people outside of football as well. The staff were always great with me and I could always count on them. They live and breathe the club, which is what makes it so special. They showed me how passion for your job is able to grow. I had a lot of fun with you. Sorry for being moody sometimes (grins). Thank you for dealing with me even then. 

WERDER.DE: We also had some fun times for WERDER.TV. Which one did you enjoy the most?

Leonardo Bittencourt: There were definitely a lot. The ‘Zimmerduell’ segment was always funny. The ferris wheel was also hilarious, because you guys couldn’t stop laughing. You almost got me to go on the Free Fall Tower, but I would have only embarrassed myself. 

WERDER.DE: Just a quick question from our legal department: we’ve still got the rights to use ‘Dreierlachs,’ right? 

Leonardo Bittencourt: Of course. But make sure to call me, if I still know some of the lads playing here. The only time where it wouldn’t be so great, is if I should ever play against you. 

WERDER.DE: There have been many big players that have worn the number 10 shirt at Werder. How would you describe your time wearing the number? 

Leonardo Bittencourt: Even though I may not be in the same category as Diego, Micoud and several others, I hope that the fans remember me as someone who always gave his all for the club and who always wore the shirt with pride. Wearing the number 10 might not have the same significance as it once did, but for me as a child, it was definitely something special. To have gotten to wear that number at a club like Werder Bremen for as long as I did makes me very proud. 

WERDER.DE: There’s no avoiding this next question: where will you go after Werder Bremen and what do you have planned for the future?

Leonardo Bittencourt: I’m going to take my time to make my decision, because it’s an important one. I don’t have much time left, which is why I need to consider it carefully. It’s obviously difficult to look at it through a neutral lens, if I compare it to Werder. It won’t be long and until that time comes, I’ll just be enjoying myself on holiday. 

WERDER.DE: We’ve really enjoyed having you here. Thank you and all the best, Leo!