Arne Friedrich made 82 appearances for the Germany national team, featuring at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. The 35-year-old’s playing days are over ever since this summer, but Friedrich has taken up a role on the touchline instead. The former Germany defender has been working with the Germany U18 side alongside Guido Streichsbier as assistant coach since 28th August 2014.
He is currently with the Germany U18 side at the four-nation tournament in Turkey, where his team takes on the hosts on Monday. The former Germany defender spoke with DFB.de with Editor Tim Noller on his new role, how it differs to playing and the talent in his side.
DFB.de: After around three months in office – is the training role something you’re still not used to?
Arne Friedrich: Of course it’s a completely different job compared to my role as a player, but I’m getting used to it and can say that it’s fun. We work really intensively together in the coaching team and pay a lot of attention to detail, especially with video analysis. It’s really interesting for me to get to know the procedures and those of my colleagues. I think that we complement each other very well and every sector contributes to making it successful.
DFB.de: You only ended your playing career in 2013? Do you still get that urge to play yourself?
Friedrich: It’s still a lot of fun to play football of course. If we have one too many players in a training session, then I’ll get involved and play myself. I’ll try and lead the lads and pass on some of my tips and experiences. Even if I have to someday realise that I wasn’t as fit as I once was and was plagued by abductor problems. Then I’ll focus on work again.
DFB.de: Have you already discovered promising youngsters at U18 level, who can make it into the senior side?
Friedrich: Of course. Some players have the potential to make it right to the top level. Therefore it’s too early to make a prediction as they are still developing. Everything must go to plan and you need that little bit of luck too, of course, to land yourself in the Bundesliga.
DFB.de: How can you support the young players‘ development?
Friedrich: I’ll try to pass on my knowledge and practical aspects but I’m there for the players off the pitch too. I can make it clear to the youth players, what awaits them as a professional player: Discipline, keep yourself grounded, be focused. It’s not always easy for the young players to cope with the high expectations when they are under the spotlight.
DFB.de: Are there any instances in which players have come up and spoken to you?
Friedrich: Benedikt Gimber came to me once, for example, and showed me a photo of when he was at Hertha training in 2008 and took a photo with me as a small lad. It’s really funny to see how time flies! He watched me play football back then and now I’m his coach. This is how time changes.
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Arne Friedrich made 82 appearances for the Germany national team, featuring at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. The 35-year-old’s playing days are over ever since this summer, but Friedrich has taken up a role on the touchline instead. The former Germany defender has been working with the Germany U18 side alongside Guido Streichsbier as assistant coach since 28th August 2014.
He is currently with the Germany U18 side at the four-nation tournament in Turkey, where his team takes on the hosts on Monday. The former Germany defender spoke with DFB.de with Editor Tim Noller on his new role, how it differs to playing and the talent in his side.
DFB.de: After around three months in office – is the training role something you’re still not used to?
Arne Friedrich: Of course it’s a completely different job compared to my role as a player, but I’m getting used to it and can say that it’s fun. We work really intensively together in the coaching team and pay a lot of attention to detail, especially with video analysis. It’s really interesting for me to get to know the procedures and those of my colleagues. I think that we complement each other very well and every sector contributes to making it successful.
DFB.de: You only ended your playing career in 2013? Do you still get that urge to play yourself?
Friedrich: It’s still a lot of fun to play football of course. If we have one too many players in a training session, then I’ll get involved and play myself. I’ll try and lead the lads and pass on some of my tips and experiences. Even if I have to someday realise that I wasn’t as fit as I once was and was plagued by abductor problems. Then I’ll focus on work again.
DFB.de: Have you already discovered promising youngsters at U18 level, who can make it into the senior side?
Friedrich: Of course. Some players have the potential to make it right to the top level. Therefore it’s too early to make a prediction as they are still developing. Everything must go to plan and you need that little bit of luck too, of course, to land yourself in the Bundesliga.
DFB.de: How can you support the young players‘ development?
Friedrich: I’ll try to pass on my knowledge and practical aspects but I’m there for the players off the pitch too. I can make it clear to the youth players, what awaits them as a professional player: Discipline, keep yourself grounded, be focused. It’s not always easy for the young players to cope with the high expectations when they are under the spotlight.
DFB.de: Are there any instances in which players have come up and spoken to you?
Friedrich: Benedikt Gimber came to me once, for example, and showed me a photo of when he was at Hertha training in 2008 and took a photo with me as a small lad. It’s really funny to see how time flies! He watched me play football back then and now I’m his coach. This is how time changes.
