Coach Bernd Schuster: "I feel ready for Madrid"

When he was just 20 years old, Bernd Schuster led Germany to the European Championships. Following the title at the EURO 1980 in Italy, Schuster moved to Spain, where he would play for such powerhouses as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as well as for Atletico Madrid. Three Spanish championships and six Cup victories are highlights of his impressive and very successful playing days.

He also played in 120 Bundesliga games during his years with the 1. FC Köln (1978-80) and Bayer Leverkusen (1993-96).

So far, his coaching career has been a lot less glamorous – he has signed contracts with Köln in the 2. Bundesliga, with the Ukrainian club Schachtjor Donezk and smaller Spanish teams such aus Deportivo Xerex, UD Levante and FC Getafe, his current employer. Getafe’s head coach since 2005, Schuster enjoyed a major triumph recently, when Getafe beat FC Barcelona 4-0 in the semifinal of the Spanish Cup. Getafe faces UEFA cup champions FC Sevilla this Saturday in the Spanish Cup Final. The game is traditionally played in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

In the dfb.de "Talk of the Week", the 47-year old Schuster describes Getafe's chances to beat favoured Sevilla. Schuster as Real Madrid's new coach? Despite the title won this weekend, Schuster still sees it as a valid possibility. Schuster, born and raised in Augsburg, also talks with DFB editor Wolfgang Tobien about German football issues, such as the national team and Christoph Metzelder’s possible future in Madrid.

Question: For the first time in your coaching career, you have managed to reach a final. Please tell us, how important is the Spanish Cup Final – for you personally but also for the fans in Spain?

Bernd Schuster: Getafe has not been spoiled with success so far, so you can imagine that everybody looks forward to Saturday. The game serves as the climax for our great season. After losing key players before the start of the season, all we wanted to achieve was avoiding relegation. We did much better, never dropping beneath 10th spot. Reaching the Cup Final is a major accomplishment, as every round was played with a first and second leg match, which made upsets that much harder to achieve.

Question: The game against Sevilla will be played in legendary Bernabeu stadium. The German Cup Final is a major event in the football calendar. How prestigious is the Spanish Cup Final?

Schuster: Very prestigious. I was blessed as a player to make it to the Cup Finale ten times in 13 years. The memories will always stay with me. Some major football nations neglect their Cup, but that’s not the case in Spain, where the Cup final enjoys a similar status as in England or Germany. The King and the Queen attend the game. Everything around the game is done with taste and in style. I just talked with Real’s former captain Fernando Hierro, and he feels the same way.

Question: Getafe plays in a suburb of Madrid. But that seems to be the only argument in favour of Getafe. Sevilla are such huge favorites…

Schuster: They still have to win the game. Being the favorite does not mean a thing once the game has started. I learned that lesson as a player. Nürnberg certainly were the underdogs against VfB Stuttgart. We do have our chances against Sevilla.

Question: Many titles and triumphes as a player, not one so far as a coach – how much would a win over Sevilla mean to you?

Schuster: It would be an indelible experience. You never forget the first title, as a player or as a coach. Winning in 1980 with the German national team will always be something special for me. Winning the Cup with Barcelona is great, but accomplishing this title with a small club such as Getafe would be sensational.

Question: No other team in league-competition limited the opponents to less goals. You were such a creative player, yet you seem to stress defense as a coach.

Schuster: The teams of the Spanish league are on a high level as far as tactics are concerned. I enjoy competing here, especially because of the tactical variety. We did not allow many goals this season, but that was more the result of our personal situation. Three offensive players, who had combined for 20 goals last year, left us just before the start of the season. On the other hand, we signed Argentina’s keeper Abbondanzieri, who had a great season for Getafe. In general, I like taking risks, I like attacking. We played this brand of football in our 4-0 win over Barcelona, which was the best moment of my coaching career so far.

Question: You were a favourite to succeed Fabio Capello in Madrid. Now, Real has won the Spanish championship. Do you still see a chance to coach in Madrid next year?

Schuster: By winning the championship, a lot has changed for Real Madrid. But I won’t lose my poise or grow impatient. If the call should come, I would be ready. That’s what I have been preparing for; Real Madrid would fit perfectly in my concept. But I can live with every possible outcome. Let’s wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.

Question: Madrid released Jupp Heynckes in 1998 after winning the Champions League, they did the same with Vincente del Bosque in 2003 after winning the Spanish championship.

Schuster: As I said, I’d be ready.

Question: The trade of Christoph Metzelder has not been officially confirmed, yet is seems almost certain that the player of the German national team will join Real Madrid. What’s your assessment of this move?

Schuster: For starters, Metzelder did not cost any transfer money. On the other hand, Real needs to bolster their inside defense. He’ll have to work very hard to get a spot on the team, but I believe in his potential.

Question: What other German players would you sign for Madrid or Barcelona?

Schuster: When Zidane retired last season, I had tried hard to get Michael Ballack to Madrid. I think, he would much better suit Madrid’s style of play than Chelsea’s.

Question: Ballack is not on the market. Which other German would you recommend?

Schuster: Real contemplate signing players such as Kaka or Christiano Ronaldo. It’s thin air up there, you don’t have many players of such a caliber. Bernd Schneider would be a great player for any team. A few years ago, I tried signing him for 1. FC Köln, but Eintracht Frankfurt made the deal. What a great career he’s had since! Just think off the 2002 World Cup final against Brazil. He’d be a candidate for Real, they are missing such a player, a guy who can play the perfect pass, a player mature enough to read the game.

Question: Where will you work in years to come – in Spain or in Germany?

Schuster: Working in Germany would be great. I had two offers from the Bundesliga these last three weeks, but I won’t mention any details.

Question: Can FC Bayern München return to the ranks of the European elite? They have invested quite aggressively, signing Luca Toni and Franck Ribéry.

Schuster: Well, first of all they have to get through a tough season without any Champions League games. Playing there had been their standard for a decade. But Bayern are building up a new team, so maybe competing in the less pressure packed UEFA cup will be an advantage. Their agenda is set: Bayern really has to win the German championships and they are a major candidate for winning the UEFA Cup. They have to be able to beat the best teams in Europe, which they have not done for a while now.

Question: One year has passed since a great World Cup. Where do you see the German national team now?

Schuster: They played a great tournament, and haven proven that third place was no fluke. Germany lead their qualifiying group for the Euro 2008, and their style of football is very entertaining. They gained so much confidence. Opponents have a lot of respect once again, which was not the case in the years prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Question: Can Germany win the UEFA European Championships in 2008?

Schuster: I think so. The team has not lost any key players since the World Cup, the unit will be even more cohesive at the EURO 2008. Metzelder joining Real should also help the national team. His added international maturity will benefit the team. The situation with Michael Ballack is comparable. Both goalkeepers, Jens Lehmann and Timo Hildebrand, will play internationally, which is a positive. Germany are definetly a favourite for the EURO 2008. I think that’s a strength of Germany. We believe we can win it, and then we go out and prove it.