Just a week prior to the first game of Germany’s national team, team manager Oliver Bierhoff talked with www.dfb.de. The former goalgetter had scored 35 goals during his 70 games for Germany, most famously his Golden Goal in the Euro 1996 final against the Czech Republic. Bierhoff started out at the German Football Association (DFB) as the manager of Germany’s most beloved team in the summer of 2004.
Question: Mr. Bierhoff, your speech to the German team after the loss against Italy at the 2006 FIFA World Cup made it to the movies. The speech is a scene of the documentary “Deutschland – ein Sommermärchen”, which drew four million people into theaters. Fans really applauded your choice of words. How did you experience this summer and how did the transformation happen – once a professional player, now a manager?
Oliver Bierhoff: I feel very satisfied, that I’m able to contribute to German football in such a key position, even more so because it happened quickly after the end of my playing career. My degree in economics obviously helps me in my job, and so does the fact that I’ve been interested in marketing matters for a long time. This position has been newly created, so to get going has been a challenge. But I think I was able to define the most important tasks very quickly. The switch from the football field to the office desk felt easy.
Question: How is the work in the DFB’s sports commission proceeding?
Bierhoff: Very satisfying. As the coordinator of this commission, I need to monitor the various departments of the DFB. The dialogue is very constructive.
Question: What does the typical working day look like?
Bierhoff: We have instituted an office for the national team and the U 21 juniors staffed with three employees, which covers the entire administrative work involved with these teams. I enjoy my job, because I have to face new tasks everyday. It does not get boring. The support of the DFB directorate is outstanding. The DFB needs to continue this search for new and modern ways to operate.
Question: The Mannschaft spent Christmas in 1st place of their qualifying group. Are you surprised that the team managed to keep the great form of the World Cup?
Bierhoff: That was not automatic at all. But this great run followin a very good 2006 FIFA World Cup only proves the great team chemistry. Our players are very ambitious.
Question: How do you rate the chances in Group D?
Bierhoff: We want to finish ahead of the Czech Republic, not only qualify for the EURO. We’re in a great position. But there is the very real danger, following a successful World Cup, off taking it easy. We cannot be satisfied, neither the players nor the administrators. But we try to focus on the essential matters, and we try to shoot down every sign of complacency.
Question: Germany will play Switzerland in a friendly game on February 7. What is the importance of that game?
Bierhoff: We look forward to three days of practice. The merit of the first game of the year is always hard to assess. On the other hand, this game is a great opportunity to prepare for the upcoming qualifier against the Czech Republic in March. The players need to use every possible opportunity to make an impression.
Question: Please tell us about the preparation for the game against the Czech Republic?
Bierhoff: We’ll come together on the Tuesday prior to the game, which will take place on Saturday, March 24 in Prague. Our coaching staff will focus on the tactical preparation during these few days in Prague.
Question: Miroslav Klose, who leads the Bundesliga with 11 goals, will miss the game because of a yellow-card-suspension.
Bierhoff: Miro is an incredible important player for us, but as a top-team, we have to be able to replace even a forward of his caliber. Our other forwards can play too.
Question: Jürgen Klinsmann has introduced many reforms and innovations. Trainers from the US, a sports psychologist travelling with the team and much more. Do you expect a phase of consolidation now?
Bierhoff: We always try to stirr things up, we always try to be innovative. But we cannot have a completely new set-up for every game.
Question: The DFB has spent a considerable amount of money for the team in 2006. What will be the budget for the EURO 2008?
Bierhoff: We have not finalised the EURO 2008 budget yet. Sometimes the media tries to paint a different picture, but we always receive the full support of the supervisory board. We really have the ideal personal and financial parameters for our work.