A huge honour for Ralf Kellermann: The manager of Champions League winners VfL Wolfsburg has been nominated for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football award. In an interview with DFB.de the 46-year-old spoke about the peculiar way he found out he was nominated and how it feels. The VfL coach also looks ahead to his side’s Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga game on Sunday (11:00 CET) against SC Freiburg.
DFB.de: Mr. Kellermann, how did you discover that you had been nominated?
Ralf Kellermann: I had been given the details beforehand – I knew that the list was announced at roughly 17:00 CET. But I wasn’t aware of the exact details. I found out when my 12-year-old daughter sent me a message on WhatsApp.
DFB.de: How do you feel about the nomination?
Kellermann: I’m happy and proud, especially because it’s the second year in a row that I’ve made the final three. But I’m not the sort of guy to hog the limelight – without my backroom staff, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I can’t forget the excellent team too. Such things cannot be achieved alone.
DFB.de: Nadine Keßler is on the list for FIFA Women's World Footballer of the Year…
Kellermann: … and I’m delighted for her. I think it’s a shame that Nilla Fischer didn’t make the list too. That would’ve been the icing on the cake. She probably plays in the “wrong” position though. Nadine Keßler deserves the nomination. This will give her a bit boost considering the fact that she is out with a knee injury.
DFB.de: Are you looking forward to the ceremony on 12th January?
A huge honour for Ralf Kellermann: The manager of Champions League winners VfL Wolfsburg has been nominated for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football award. In an interview with DFB.de the 46-year-old spoke about the peculiar way he found out he was nominated and how it feels. The VfL coach also looks ahead to his side’s Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga game on Sunday (11:00 CET) against SC Freiburg.
DFB.de: Mr. Kellermann, how did you discover that you had been nominated?
Ralf Kellermann: I had been given the details beforehand – I knew that the list was announced at roughly 17:00 CET. But I wasn’t aware of the exact details. I found out when my 12-year-old daughter sent me a message on WhatsApp.
DFB.de: How do you feel about the nomination?
Kellermann: I’m happy and proud, especially because it’s the second year in a row that I’ve made the final three. But I’m not the sort of guy to hog the limelight – without my backroom staff, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I can’t forget the excellent team too. Such things cannot be achieved alone.
DFB.de: Nadine Keßler is on the list for FIFA Women's World Footballer of the Year…
Kellermann: … and I’m delighted for her. I think it’s a shame that Nilla Fischer didn’t make the list too. That would’ve been the icing on the cake. She probably plays in the “wrong” position though. Nadine Keßler deserves the nomination. This will give her a bit boost considering the fact that she is out with a knee injury.
DFB.de: Are you looking forward to the ceremony on 12th January?
Kellermann: It will obviously be a great start to year. It will be nice to be able to mix with some of the biggest names in football: Cristiano Ronaldo, Maunel Neuer and Lionel Messi for example. Joachim Löw will also be there. I will enjoy the occasion with my wife in Zurich but in until then the focus is entirely on success with VfL Wolfsburg.
DFB.de: On Sunday you play SC Freiburg...
Kellermann: We don’t want to make mistakes and underestimate the opposition. Freiburg recently beat Hoffenheim, which will have done their confidence the world of good. We’re also a scalp – playing us will motivate them.
DFB.de: Everything has gone well for you so far. The 2-0 victory over Frankfurt saw you go top of the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga. What are you expecting up until the winter break?
Kellermann: We don’t want to let up. We want to pick up six points against Freiburg and Hoffenheim. I also hope that we can beat SC Sand and qualify for the DFB Cup semi-final- If everything goes to plan, we can have a happy Christmas.
DFB.de: And look forward to next year?
Kellermann: Of course: We hope to be in a good position in all three competitions. It’s not going to get easier – especially in the Champions League and DFB Cup although the league will be tricky too. We need to play the best teams in the league and travel to Jena – a huge challenge awaits but we are looking forward to it.
