DFB.de: After the U19 European Championships you said that that team were still in a developmental phases, and that you were excited to see how far they could go. At the time you didn’t know that you would still be taking care of this age group. Do you still feel justified in what you said back then?
Streichsbier: Definitely. I am delighted that the boys have put in two performances like that. I have definitely seen them mature as players. The best example I can give of this is Benjamin Henrichs, who has made a big leap this season and even made his debut for the Germany national team. But I also see a lot of other good players who have enormous potential within them and so I am really looking forward to being able to work with them.
DFB.de: Are you surprised by Henrichs’ development as a player?
Streichsbier: I’ve known all along about the potential he possesses. With Benni, different components have come together which have accelerated his progression as a player. The most important of these components is the trust put in him by Roger Schmidt. Benni has also completed embraced his role as a full back. Even during the U19 European Championships you could see the way in which he was maturing as a player and establishing himself as a leader. Alongside that, Benni brings a lot of good personal qualities with him. He is willing to learn and has a lot of desire. These characteristics will take him further as a player. I hope that he can continue to develop, as Henrichs has a big career ahead of him.
DFB.de: The next period of international games for the U20s side is in March 2017. What will you be doing before then?
Streichsbier: The coaching staff and I will assess the games and think about the areas we want to develop before the World Cup in South Korea. We will therefore be keeping in regular contac with the players and their clubs. It is important for them to be getting regular time, so that by the time March comes around, they are playing at the right level.
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It was an eventful year with a successful ending for Guido Streichsbier. Still head coach of the Germany U18s team at the start of the year, Streichsbier celebrated his second win in five days as head coach of the Germany U20s team. Thursday’s 1-0 victory in Forli over Italy was the first of those wins, before a convincing 4-0 display against Poland in Zwickau.
In an interview with DFB.de the Germany head coach speaks about both of those games, the development of the U20s side and Benjamin Henrichs’ career, who is still eligible to play for the U20s, despite having made his full Germany debut with Joachim Löw’s side already.
DFB.de: Mr Streichsbier, 2016 was an eventful year for you. What’s your overall conclusion of it?
Guido Streichsbier: There really has been a lot going on. There was my appointment as head coach of the U19s side and then shortly afterwards the U20s job. For me personally, it was a very exciting year. I learnt a lot and am delighted about the experiences I have been able to pick up.
DFB.de: Your team have just won two games within the space of five days. Was it a perfect international week for you?
Streichsbier: Perfection is always relative for coaches (laughs). Nevertheless, I am still really happy with the performances and the results that we picked up. We’ve finished the international year really well and head back home with a positive feeling.
DFB.de: The 4-0 win over Poland must be particularly pleasing, given the fact that you lost 3-0 to them in the first game. Your team even had more chances to score.”
Streichsbier: I was most pleased with the fact that we were really focused defensively and didn’t give away any big chances over the 90 minutes. That was also the case against Italy. This time though, we went a step further. Going forward, we did lack that bit of composure at the last moment. That’s something we can definitely develop, especially with the U20 World Cup coming up next year.
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DFB.de: After the U19 European Championships you said that that team were still in a developmental phases, and that you were excited to see how far they could go. At the time you didn’t know that you would still be taking care of this age group. Do you still feel justified in what you said back then?
Streichsbier: Definitely. I am delighted that the boys have put in two performances like that. I have definitely seen them mature as players. The best example I can give of this is Benjamin Henrichs, who has made a big leap this season and even made his debut for the Germany national team. But I also see a lot of other good players who have enormous potential within them and so I am really looking forward to being able to work with them.
DFB.de: Are you surprised by Henrichs’ development as a player?
Streichsbier: I’ve known all along about the potential he possesses. With Benni, different components have come together which have accelerated his progression as a player. The most important of these components is the trust put in him by Roger Schmidt. Benni has also completed embraced his role as a full back. Even during the U19 European Championships you could see the way in which he was maturing as a player and establishing himself as a leader. Alongside that, Benni brings a lot of good personal qualities with him. He is willing to learn and has a lot of desire. These characteristics will take him further as a player. I hope that he can continue to develop, as Henrichs has a big career ahead of him.
DFB.de: The next period of international games for the U20s side is in March 2017. What will you be doing before then?
Streichsbier: The coaching staff and I will assess the games and think about the areas we want to develop before the World Cup in South Korea. We will therefore be keeping in regular contac with the players and their clubs. It is important for them to be getting regular time, so that by the time March comes around, they are playing at the right level.
