It has been just three months since Frank Baumann began his role as Werder sporting director. The 40-year old has had a very busy introduction to his time with the club, in no small part thanks to starting in the first week of the transfer window. In that time he has already overseen ten new arrivals, two returns from loan and thirteen departures. In our interview he discussed squad building, his exciting first few months in the job and his aims in it.
WERDER.DE: “The transfer window is drifting slowly towards its end. What is your philosophy when it comes to building a team?”
Frank Baumann: “Of course, it is not a case of handing out blank cheques to try and signing all the players of your dreams. The basis for planning is always the squad that you already have. We look at which positions are strong, the average age of the squad, and the mix of older and younger players in the team, and then we can form a strong idea of how things are and what is feasible going forward., Naturally, the philosophy and playing style of the team determine what type of players we need.”
WERDER.DE: “The face of the team looks very different now…”
Frank Baumann: “... and will do even more so in the next year, with the possible retirements of Clemens Fritz or Claudio Pizarro for example, or other important players we may lose. We have to be prepared for that. It is important for us to have a strong and sustainable medium-term plan and ensure we are prepared for occasional unexpected changes. We cannot purchase from the top shelf in the transfer market, as in financial and sporting terms we are in another league to our domestic and foreign competitors. Still, we are an attractive proposition as a club, a team and a place. There are always good players who we want.”
WERDER.DE: “The backroom staff who work with the team, too, who are always even more important.”
Frank Baumann: “The requirements have grown hugely in the last year. There are many areas of football yet to be explored. All clubs have become aware of the fact they must be more professional and hire more and more experts. The days of having just a coach, with an assistant, a goalkeeper coach and a physio are over. We want to create a better overall structure and improve across the board; in athleticism, preparation, recovery and treatment, player and match analysis, and in nutrition. We do not want to go with every new trend, but we always show where we can improve sensibly, and prepare players in the best ways possible.”
WERDER.DE: “What are your expectations for the team this season?”
Thomas Baumann: “That we work every day with enthusiasm and passion, particularly in matches, where we must always give everything.”
WERDER.DE: “Will you set bold targets for this season or will the expectation be something more defensive?
Thomas Baumann: “Together with the coaching staff and the players, we will be bold. In external communication we will remain humble and grounded.”
WERDER.DE: “How should Werder Bremen be led?”
Thomas Baumann: “We want to establish ourselves as a firm fixture in the Bundesliga. We want to be a comfortable mid-table side and build on that foundation of stability. We have to keep reasonable, sensible goals, and maintain our unique culture with the city and the fans. These are the characteristics the club must seek to maintain for the next 20 years. We want to preserve and honour the values synonymous with Werder.”
