Schmidt: "Beautiful picture has not faded yet"

One year ago, Germany was obsessed with the FIFA World Cup. Life in the World Cup cities followed the rhythm of the game schedule. Whenever Michael Ballack and his team took the field, the business day came to a complete halt. A year has passed. What are the ripple effects of the global football festival? Has Germany changed because of the 2006 summer - no less than a time to make friends? What were the effects on the German Football Association, the DFB, and how are the DFB’s relations to FIFA today?

DFB General Secretary Horst R. Schmidt, 65, answers these questions in the new "Talk of the Week" on www.dfb.de. In an interview with Wolfgang Tobien, the former Senior Vice-President of the German Organising Committee reflects on Joachim Löw’s first season as Germany’s coach and describes his assignment as FIFA advisor for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Question: Mr. Schmidt, it’s been a year since the World Cup. What comes to your mind when you reflect on the 2006 FIFA World Cup?

Horst R. Schmidt: We all believed in our solid preparation, but during the first days of such a huge event, you still hold your breath: Will everything work out just the way we had it planned? Well, it did, and even today, we still receive praise for the organisiation of the World Cup. The atmosphere was simply incredible, and this positive spirit stayed with us here in Germany long after the final whistle had been blown. Building new stadiums and refurbishing already existing arenas, which since have proved their merit in the Bundesliga since then, was a major accomplishment. We did so much besides organising the games, so many events, so much service for our guests. Whenever I reminisce, I think about the enthusiasm of the fans and just how much people enjoyed watching a good game together.

Question: It seems as if it was yesterday, doesn’t it?

Schmidt: Even more so, because administrating the wrap-up of the World Cup kept us busy for a few more months. Only recently, we finished the final fiscal report. But it all was such a unique time because of the joviality and serenity that lasted throughout the tournament.

Question: The fairy tale has ended. Since then, fan violence has returned to the stadiums, especially in the German Northeast. What are your explanations?

Schmidt: You cannot be starry eyed. Because of certain measures during the World Cup, we managed to keep the hooligans out of the stadiums. But we knew that they would return. They try to find a stage. Right now, hooligans are a problem in cities such as Dresden, Leipzig and Halle. As you know, we have instituted a task force which included hiring a full-time security expert.

Question: Do you see any progress?

Schmidt: Today, if anything happens on any football field, we will receive word within a few hours. Detecting fan violence and awareness of the problem have improved. We feel deeply displeased about some occurences, but solving this problem completely seems unlikely. At our game in Slovakia, even an extensive safety concept did not stop some fans from misbehaving. We have to stick to our long-term approach. Those who are violent at our games really are not fans at all. They have no appreciation for the game. They just care about violence.

Question: Let’s get back to the World Cup. All plans were targeted at sustained growth.

Schmidt: Stadiums and infrastructure have improved drastically. Secondly, we managed to forge an alliance between the cities, the police, the security services, and so many people from the smallest football clubs, which provided support through their volunteer services. The World Cup atmosphere would not have been possible without them.

Question: Has the effect worn off?

Schmidt: Not really. I travel a lot. People in other countries still rave about the 2006 summer in Germany, the sincere hospitality shown by the Germans, the perfect organisation of the event. We have created a new image for Germany, and that beautiful picture has not faded yet.

Question: What were the positive effects for football?

Schmidt: Public viewing became a mass spectacle – it will now be a part of the football calendar in Germany. Because of the stadium upgrades and the new arenas built for the World Cup, the Bundesliga has become even more attractive. No other European league has a higher attendance. While figures are on the decline in many other areas, the DFB has posted new membership records. To put it bluntly – German football has accomplished the mission.

Question: What were the effects on the DFB?

Schmidt: We knew in advance that the World Cup would transform the DFB. New tasks have developed, we pursue more ambitious goals. We continue and intesify our efforts for girls’ and women’s football. Integration is a new item on our agenda. We will restructure the leagues below the 2. Bundesliga. Expediting the elites has always been a major goal, now we have an enhanced, much more efficient approach. Matthias Sammer is our new Technical Director, a first in the 107-year history of the DFB. Obviously, we needed to bolster up our administration. We were able to keep 28 members of the LOC. The DFB board of directors has been regenerated. We are in a transitory period, which will culminate in October, when I will step-down as the DFB General Secretary.

Question: Do you see improvement at the home-games of the national team because of lessons learned at the World Cup?

Schmidt: Traffic control around the stadium has improved. The World Cup created new opportunities for our hospitality areas. Public viewings have almost become the standard. We had quite a throng at the public viewing of the DFB Cup final in Berlin.

Question: Has Germany profited from the World Cup?

Schmidt: An independent research has confirmed that Germany’s economy received a spark from the World Cup. We had always argued that the tournament would not cost the state any money. Just think of the huge figures transferred in tax money.

Question: FIFA were the presenter, the DFB hosted the World Cup. How has the relationship evolved following the tournament?

Schmidt: I regard it as only natural that you have different opinions when organising such a huge event. FIFA always emphasised their role as presenter, and sort of guided us, so that we would not display any exaggerated autonomy. But we managed to find workable solutions, if you think about ticketing for instance. The relationship is very good now. That FIFA has called-upon me as their advisor in South Africa is an indication of that good relationship.

Question: Because of the World Cup, FIFA generated a surplus of 185 million Euros in 2006, which probably helps in that good relationship.

Schmidt: FIFA had contributed 170 million Euros to our overall budget of 430 million Euros at the LOC. We were able to return 50 million Euros, which pleases FIFA. They could not expect any return. The FIFA President has praised our efforts, in regards to the organisation, but also for our financial performance.

Question: How do you rate the chances at hosting the 2011 Women’s World Cup?

Schmidt: Difficult question. We face a tough opponent with France. Canada and Australia focus on their bids, since their chances at hosting a men’s World cup are rather slim. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed.

Question: The 2006 tournament should be your best argument. Let’s switch to the national team. Joachim Löw succeeded Jürgen Klinsmann. Did he also measure up to the very popular Klinsmann?

Schmidt: Jürgen Klinsmann and the entire team had a tremendous impact on the overall success in 2006. Now, his former assistant has taken over. Many journalists witnessed during the World Cup that Löw is much more than a qualified assistant coach. He’s a proven expert with a huge knowledge on the technical and tactical aspects of the game. His first year as head coach of our team could not have been any better.

Question: How would you describe his coaching style?

Schmidt: He has developed his own profile. He is highly articulate, he’ll tell everybody player precisely what he expects from him. He always stresses self-improvement. I think that’s really necessary to be one of the premier teams in the world.

Question: You have organised eight World Cups, now FIFA has appointed you as their advisor for South Africa. Will it all work out, will they be ready?

Schmidt: I see myself as a liaison officer between FIFA and the South African Organisers. Restraint and reservation are necessary in such a role. I think I have won the trust of those in charge in South Africa. Getting stadium construction going was not easy. But now, the wheels are rolling. South Africa will be a great host. I admire the quality of their plans and preparatory papers. And with “Match”, there is a third office besides FIFA and the LOC involved in the work.

Question: Can FIFA look forward to reap a similar financial reward as in 2006?

Schmidt: Economics are very different. FIFA has guaranteed South Africa to cover all costs that go beyond the 2006 budget. FIFA’s interests really are not on the financial side. Everybody would just love to see a successful tournament in Africa. And I think we’re making great progress.