2024-01-30 03:52:30
Published 30. January 2024, 04:52
At FC St. Pauli: This Swiss shines as the youngest professional coach in Germany
FC St. Pauli is not only in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup, the club is also fighting for promotion. 20 Minutes spoke to Swiss coach Fabian Hürzeler.
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FC St. Pauli is currently flying high.
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The club is coached by the Swiss Fabian Hürzeler.
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At 30, Hürzeler is the youngest coach in German professional football.
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20 Minutes spoke to him exclusively.
Fabian Hürzeler, at 30 years old you are the youngest coach in German professional football. Do you sometimes have to pinch yourself?
No. But of course I notice in certain situations that I am perceived differently or that I am written regarding differently in the media. But I can’t influence any of that.
Does age play a role for you?
No. IIn football there is no such thing as young or old. This applies to the players and the coaches. Those who perform achieve success. I don’t think regarding it.
How often are you compared to Julian Nagelsmann, who became Bundesliga coach at the age of 28?
Very often (laughs). But especially from the media. It would be presumptuous if I compared myself to him. He is one of the greatest German coaches. He coached the largest club in Germany and is now the national coach. He achieved all of this thanks to his skills.
FC St. Pauli fans currently have many reasons to be happy.
IMAGO/Oliver Ruhnke
With St. Pauli you are still unbeaten following 19 games and are in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup. Does that make you proud?
Naturally. On the players, how they work, what motivation they show, how they implement everything I ask and how they treat each other. But I am also proud of my staff. The collaboration really works perfectly.
Is a season without defeat possible? Arsenal did it in the 2003/04 season.
It was of course unbelievable what Arsène Wenger’s team achieved back then. But I don’t yet think that we might do that. Summer is still too far away.
St. Pauli is first. Are you talking to the team regarding promotion?
No. Football is a contemporary business. You can only influence what happens today. And St. Pauli also stands for a certain modesty and is not a club that comes around the corner with big slogans.
You were born in Houston, your mother is German, your father is Swiss. What do you feel like?
I am a mixture of everything. I have punctuality and discipline thanks to my Swiss streak. My openness to new cultures and technologies is certainly American, and I get my meticulousness from my German mother.
What connection do you still have to Switzerland?
Certainly more in the past, when my grandparents were still alive. But I like the mountains and nature in general. Switzerland is absolutely unique in this regard. I also have relatives in Switzerland. I have the Swiss and the German passport.
The Hamburg club is regarding to be promoted to the 1st Bundesliga.
IMAGO/Oliver Ruhnke
And what defines you as a trainer?
I like friendly authority. I speak the language of the players and harness the power of ideas. But I am also clear and consistent. Because the more clearly I know regarding my own playing philosophy, the better I can convey it.
I heard that you hate tardiness.
That’s correct. This was passed down to me by my parents. For me, punctuality is a question of discipline and respect.
And what regarding other values? FC St. Pauli is a club that is politically active and also stands up for LGBTQI+ values.
I identify with these 100 percent. Most recently, for example: We stood up together once morest racism, once morest the AfD. I think this is an important signal and it is important that we as a club also set an example.
You once said: “My girlfriend often doesn’t understand why I watch a game. But I’m busy with football 23 hours a day, so she has to get through it.” Does she understand it better now?
(laughs) In fact, I no longer have a girlfriend and therefore no longer have to justify myself. I can watch football as much as I want.
Then you also switch off with football in your private life?
I also watch a lot of football in my free time. But I also play padel or go out for a relaxed meal.
Your contract expires at the end of the season. There should be interest from abroad and the Bundesliga. What are the chances of an extension?
It’s no secret that I really enjoy being at FC St. Pauli and that I work with those in charge in a spirit of trust. The aim is to provide clarity on this matter as quickly as possible.
What goals do you still want to achieve as a trainer?
Goals and dreams are extremely important. But I keep them for myself. Because the focus is now on St. Pauli and I have enough to do with this club.
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