SV Werder Bremen have a new head coach in Markus Anfang. Now that this position has been filled, planning has kicked into high gear for the Green-Whites. Sporting director Frank Baumann spoke to the press on Wednesday about the appointment of a new head coach, an update on squad planning, developments on the transfer market and what remains to be done before training gets back underway.
WERDER.DE have summed up all the most important points.
...Markus Anfang: “We have found the candidate we desired in Markus Anfang. He has been successful at every stage of his coaching career, at the youth level, in Kiel, Köln and Darmstadt. Markus is known for attacking football and his style is clearly recognisable. He’s a good man, has experience as a player himself and a good sense on how to structure a team. He has clear expectations, but he also expects players to take responsibility for themselves. The fact that he was fighting for promotion in the second division, that he then took charge of Köln after they had just been relegated and experienced what it was like to work in a more turbulent environment are not disadvantages. He was able to learn from those experiences. Personally, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the top goalscorer in Bundesliga 2 has come from his team in all three of his years in the league. His attacking style of play is definitely a plus. However, we shouldn’t limit him to just that. He has clear expectations of how to counterpress and knows how many of the teams in the second division play. He can prepare the team for that.”
...the contract negotiations: “As he was still under contract, we knew that there would have to be negotiations and that Darmstadt would fight to keep him. It wouldn’t have been right if they had been happy to let him go. I think that we managed to find a good solution. Unlike what was reported by the media, it was a very standard process with fair negotiations. We made an offer and received a written counter offer from Darmstadt. After that, there were negotiations that took place and we reached an agreement. That’s why I cannot understand why it’s being reported on in this way. On Sunday, they reported that we had agreed to a deal. The next day, the news was that the deal was off. Both reports were false. We led very serious, professional negotiations with Darmstadt. If all contract negotiations were like that, then our job would be much easier.”
...the expectations for Markus Anfang: “The expectations are no different than those for any other coach at Werder. That includes playing successful, attractive, attacking football, developing players and representing the values of the club.”
...an update on squad planning: “We spoke with Markus about our squad and the individual players, as well as about what kind of players are needed at each position in order to fit his style. However, Markus is also aware of our financial situation. He knows that we will have to let go of some key players and leaders. We agreed that the team will need to be of a certain age. We need experienced players and want to continue developing young talents, but also players who have experience in the 2. Bundesliga. We all know that it’s not an optimal position to be in. It should be expected that we won’t have our final squad for the rest of the seaosn completely assembled by the time we return to competitive action, and that there will still be changes made in July and August.”
...the goal of an immediate return: “I can feel the desire that he has and have full confidence in him. He has demonstrated that he can have success in different environments in the second division and wants to return to the Bundesliga as quickly as possible with Werder in order to prove himself there as well. He has a real winning mentality. Markus is very ambitious and success-oriented - he’s maybe even a little bit obsessed with success. However, we are also approaching this challenge with the respect and humility it deserves. We will automatically be the favourite in many matches. We need to accept this role. It doesn’t matter what we say our goal is, but rather how we act. It will be hard work right from the start.”
...general trends in the transfer market: “I’m expecting a more cautious approach, with some exceptions. Several clubs have experienced a loss of revenue and will have to cut their squad budget. It will likely be two, three weeks until the transfer market picks up. We don’t need to sell many players as possible, but instead generate certain transfer revenues. Loans can give us a certain security in terms of liquidity. The pressure to sell immediately has decreased. We will not sell any player for less than they are worth.”
...Thomas Schaaf’s role in the selection process: “Thomas was involved at different stages, such as when it came to putting together the job profile, but also in the research process by gathering information. We were in contact with him once we had narrowed down the candidates. He gave his opinion and the decision was made by management.”
