Marco Bode Interview

WERDER.DE: You said you’re taking it all in. What is your impression of the team? 

Marco Bode: “I think we’re all aware of the difficult situation we currently find ourselves in. The same goes for the players. I can feel the drive the coaching staff has to turn things around. Against Düsseldorf, we will be able to see the impact this short break has had on our ability to prepare ourselves for the second half of the season. I don’t think I have to explain to anyone just how important this opening match will be. On the other hand, I think it’s important to not let the pressure get too high. Despite the worries we may have, we should trust that the team has the strength needed to play better than they did in the first half of the season, especially towards the end. Unfortunately, that performance is what we’re currently being judged by. Having success early on will be key for us.”

WERDER.DE: The manner in which Florian Kohfeldt conducted the last few training sessions has been discussion amongst the fans and the media. What’s your impression of him and the work he’s overseeing in Mallorca?

Marco Bode: “What I just alluded to applies exactly to Florian and his work. His message to the team and those around the squad is that our full focus has to be on the battle against relegation. We have to accept that, and everyone needs to be well aware of our current situation. At the same time, he is also focused on making sure the players are having fun while playing and that they have the right level of self-confidence. He sets a good example, something that we’re all trying to do. My impression of him, as far as I can see, is that he has recovered and is full of energy.” 

WERDER.DE: As Werder fans, we’ve unfortunately become familiar with the battle against relegation over the last few years. In your opinion, is that an advantage for us or more of a disadvantage?

Marco Bode: “I think that mentality played a role for us during the Hinrunde. Especially mid-way through, when we were drawing a lot of matches. Unfortunately, it may have been that we all looked ahead and thought ‘Alright, at some point we’ll start winning these close games and get to the point where we’re able to achieve our goals.’ Since then, we’ve had to accept that we will not be able to achieve our initial goals for this season, and will instead have to focus on staying up. We’ve been able to take positive steps forward over the last few years, which is something that I don’t want to diminish. However, we’ve also been faced with the threat of relegation during the last five years. As a result, that experience can help us.”  

WERDER.DE: Frank Baumann explained that, in his eyes, the dominant types in football are becoming fewer and fewer. Do you think so too?

Marco Bode: “We analysed together that the element of dominance was missing a bit in our team. Basically, Frank and I have the same view of how a team should be put together. In addition to criteria such as age structure and salary structure, different characters also play a role. It's about having different personality types. We may have misjudged the scope of the fact that the team itself creates leaders and sometimes that can have a negative effect. This can happen through body language on the pitch, or perhaps they’ll say the wrong thing in the dressing room. Unfortunately, the injuries also played a role. Niclas Füllkrug was supposed to be one of these positive, emotional leaders, but he hasn’t been able to fulfill his role this season due to injury. This is not an excuse for the first half of the season, but we know that we always have to ensure that the different personalities and their dominant characters gel together properly.”

WERDER.DE: Which positive leaders can you think of from your time playing?

Marco Bode: “There were different types. Just as Niklas Moisander is a leading player today, Rune Bratseth was one at the time. He wasn’t that vocal, but he was so influential with everything he did. We followed him. Then there were guys who led with their aggressiveness; whether it was Mirko Votava who won important duels as a midfield captain or Ulli Borowka. There were also other individuals, from Mario Basler and Wynton Rufer to Claudio Pizarro, with whom I still played. You could make a team better through individual class, special moments. We had very exciting characters in my time playing. When I think back to the 90s, from today's perspective we had almost too many dominant players. Whether it was Frank Neubarth or Olli Reck, almost every player was a special character."

WERDER.DE: What are the biggest differences when you compare the training camps of back then with the one today? 

Marco Bode: (laughs) "Otto Rehhagel often opted against winter training camps and instead we played a lot of friendlies in summer. During the winter break we used to stay in Germany and train in the snow. Otto was of the opinion that the lads sleeping at their homes was the best thing for them. Their wives would keep an eye on them. Besides, you end up training under the same conditions you then have to play under. Back then the pitches were different and you sometimes had to play on frozen or sludgy pitches."

WERDER.DE: You had other coaches as well, and travelled with the national team as well… 

Marco Bode: "Of course, compared to that, an awful lot has changed: both on and off the pitch. At the core of things, however, several things remain unchanged. Essentially, it’s all about solidifying yourself as a team, becoming a unit. It is important that everyone finds the right attitude for the second half of the season and casts aside any potentially egotistical thoughts. From experience, I know that when things aren’t going so well, it’s easy to start looking to shift responsibility and pass the blame. That doesn’t help at all. It’s good when the group is close and they do things together on days off – completing tough training sessions together. That’s how the team gels."