Permanent deal! SV Werder Bremen have made another addition for future by signing Marco Friedl on a permanent deal. The 21-year-old Austrian, who has spent this season on loan with the Green-Whites, has left FC Bayern München to stay in Bremen. “I’m simply thrilled,” said the defender in an interview with WERDER.DE. In his six Bundesliga appearances for the Green-Whites this season, Friedl has become a flexible part of the Werder defence, playing at both centre-back and full-back.
WERDER.DE: Many congratulations on signing a permanent deal with Werder. What convinced you to stay here in Bremen?
Marco Friedl: “The work which we are carrying out here and the team. You can simply see here every day that we have a target and that the team want to achieve great things together. I also enjoy the trust the club hierarchy have given me. I’m simply thrilled to be here right now.”
WERDER.DE: How have the last few years been for you?
Marco Friedl: "The last few years have been really special for me. Especially because it was my first time going far away from home and being on my own. Luckily, it didn't take me long to adjust. The past year and a half has flown by and now there will be more to come."
WERDER.DE: We're all looking forward to it. What are your next steps going to be?
Marco Friedl: " Even though it didn't happen for us this season, we still know that we had a good season and that we will have to keep working hard to continue improving. We're all optimistic about the next few years. As for me, I want to find my place here and become a regular in the first team. That's what I'll be working hard to achieve.
WERDER.DE: Do you have any other goals that you're hoping to achieve with Werder?
Marco Friedl: "Obviously I want to become a starting player and help the team be successful. Our goal as a team is to qualify for the Europa League. I have my own personal goals, but the team's success comes first."
WERDER.DE: In Theodor Gebre Selassie, Sebastian Langkamp and Niklas Moisander, you are surrounded by experienced players in the Werder defence. What is your relationship like with them and how is this helping your personal development?
Marco Friedl: “This has helped me a lot, especially in the first few months. I was still very young when I first came to Werder and it was my first year in professional football. Consequently, the experience of your teammates is naturally very important. It is still always important to have them by my side but I also now know that things come to an end and I have now also settled down here in Bremen. Neverthless, having Niklas Moisander by my side in the heart of defence has helped a lot. I’ve lernt to have composure on the ball from him. I’ve also learnt how important positional play is, which you constantly have to be thinking about, as well as exactly knowing what tackles you need to make.”
WERDER.DE: Following the home DFB-Pokal semi-final against Bayern, Maximilian Eggestein explained to us that he told you during the incredible bus reception: “This is exactly why I’ve extended my contract with Werder.” Was this a reason for you to say: “Now I want to stay here too?”
Marco Friedl: “It is amazing to have had such an incredible backdrop for the match as well as so many unbelievable fans. The DFB-Pokal semi-final was the first time I had really clearly experienced an incredible goosebump moment like that. That is something that can only happen here, not at any other club. At the very least, I don’t know where else that should be. I’m really glad that I’m spending the next few years here.”
WERDER.DE: How have the team found the news that you are staying?
Marco Friedl: “There are multiple players who were delighted to hear that I’ve signed a permanent deal to stay here for the next few years. For me, it’s important to have teammates who are pleased to hear that another player in the squad is staying at the club. That gives you a good feeling.”
WERDER.DE: You get the feeling that Florian Kohfeldt and the rest of the coaching staff have a set plan for you. What role did the coach and Frank Baumann play during negotiations?
Marco Friedl: "We have a good mix with a young coach in Florian Kohfeldt, together with Frank and the rest of the coaching staff. It just works. They have clear expectations and plans for us. It's important that you have a coach that has a set plan for you and your team. That's why I think that it's a good fit here."
WERDER.DE: How will you deal with your homesickness for your hometown, and for Munich?
Marco Friedl: "I'll still be in Munich here and there, especially when I go back home. After all, it's on the way. But, I'm happy to be here now and to be a part of this team. It's perfect for me. That's why I won't be too homesick.
