The Germany U21s qualified for the European Championships in Poland with an impressive record of ten wins from ten, and 35 goals scored with just eight conceded. Stefan Kuntz only took over in September but contributed to five of these wins, setting a new record for the U21s side.
In this interview, Kuntz speaks about his first months in his new role, today’s generation of U21s players and how he works with Germany senior team coach Joachim Löw. The 54 year old also looks ahead to next summer’s tournament in Poland.
DFB.de: Mr. Kuntz, how have you found your first few games as coach of the Germany U21s team?
Stefan Kuntz: After almost four months and six games I can say that the work is incredibly fun. It’s a challenge to work with big talents who are mostly first-team players in their teams. As the coaching staff we have to consider the differing sporting and personal situations of each player and form a varied and quality squad for every game. Our intense cooperation with the clubs and coaches works very well.
DFB.de: After 13 consecutive wins, 2016 ended with a 1-0 defeat. How annoyed were you that this run had come to an end?
Kuntz: With five wins from the first five games, we had the perfect start to our new management. Admittedly, the defeat annoys me but we’ll learn from it for the Euros in Poland. It was a good test at the right time.
DFB.de: Before starting this new role with the U21s, you were the chairman at 1. FC Kaiserslauten, the last time you worked as a coach was 2004. After 12 years, how did this return come about?
Kuntz: The idea came from a meeting of the European Champions from 1996, in a talk with Hansi Flick. There were subsequent talks following this and I warmed to the idea more and more. By the end, I was completely convinced that being the coach of the U21s was the right job at the right time for me. Hansi’s trust played a huge role, he has a great team behind the team and created the ideal conditions for me. You also can’t forget the work Horst Hrubesch did, leading the team to the final in Rio and forging the path for our winning streak in the qualifiers for the Euros with the first six wins.
The Germany U21s qualified for the European Championships in Poland with an impressive record of ten wins from ten, and 35 goals scored with just eight conceded. Stefan Kuntz only took over in September but contributed to five of these wins, setting a new record for the U21s side.
In this interview, Kuntz speaks about his first months in his new role, today’s generation of U21s players and how he works with Germany senior team coach Joachim Löw. The 54 year old also looks ahead to next summer’s tournament in Poland.
DFB.de: Mr. Kuntz, how have you found your first few games as coach of the Germany U21s team?
Stefan Kuntz: After almost four months and six games I can say that the work is incredibly fun. It’s a challenge to work with big talents who are mostly first-team players in their teams. As the coaching staff we have to consider the differing sporting and personal situations of each player and form a varied and quality squad for every game. Our intense cooperation with the clubs and coaches works very well.
DFB.de: After 13 consecutive wins, 2016 ended with a 1-0 defeat. How annoyed were you that this run had come to an end?
Kuntz: With five wins from the first five games, we had the perfect start to our new management. Admittedly, the defeat annoys me but we’ll learn from it for the Euros in Poland. It was a good test at the right time.
DFB.de: Before starting this new role with the U21s, you were the chairman at 1. FC Kaiserslauten, the last time you worked as a coach was 2004. After 12 years, how did this return come about?
Kuntz: The idea came from a meeting of the European Champions from 1996, in a talk with Hansi Flick. There were subsequent talks following this and I warmed to the idea more and more. By the end, I was completely convinced that being the coach of the U21s was the right job at the right time for me. Hansi’s trust played a huge role, he has a great team behind the team and created the ideal conditions for me. You also can’t forget the work Horst Hrubesch did, leading the team to the final in Rio and forging the path for our winning streak in the qualifiers for the Euros with the first six wins.
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DFB.de: How much respect do you have for your predecessor, Horst Hrubesch?
Kuntz: Horst laid the foundations with his fantastic work, an experienced man with a background in football is the ideal person to take over from him. He supported his players with his personal characteristics, his values and of course his ability as a coach. In this sense we aren’t too dissimilar and therefore I can continue his work with the same style.
DFB.de: What’s it like working with young and talented players? What does your job consist of?
Kuntz: It’s about combining different characteristics together. At different times of the year, the players are in different situations. They are first-team players with their clubs so when they’re not in the starting XI then their confidence gets knocked. Some players are making the step up or have already played under Jogi Löw, we always have to bear this in mind. It’s also the same with the different tactics in different squads and how they’re affected by training, as the players come to the national team camp in different physical conditions. Additionally, there’s good communication with the players so they can show off their talent as freely as possible. You can’t forget they’re still young men who are still developing.
DFB.de: How would the young player Stefan Kuntz have gotten along with the coach Stefan Kuntz?
Kuntz: Obviously very well! (laughs) In 2000 as the coach of Karlsruher SC I noticed the difference between the players from my generation and the ones then and today. One time, a player did some amazing tricks with the ball after training and asked me if I could do the same. I’ve never been able to do tricks like that in my life, but I scored 179 goals in the Bundesliga and won a few titles in my career. In a footballing sense, the lads now are more talented than we were but mentally and tactically we can teach them something which they can benefit them.
DFB.de: What is your work with Joachim Löw like?
Kuntz: When I started we had a meeting with both coaching teams and sporting director Hansi Flick in which we spoke about different players. We had our next meeting before the DFB annual conference in Erfurt, where we discussed who we’d call up for the international games in November. Additionally, we phone each other regularly. Jogi Löw and I got our coaching certification together, I became European Champion in 1996 with Oliver Bierhoff and Andy Köpke. My assistant coach Antonio di Salvo also worked with Marcus Sorg in the U19s, we all maintain close contact and see the U21s as a spring board to the senior side.
DFB.de: Let’s look ahead to 2017, what’s the goal for the U21s at the Euros in Poland, how does the preparation look for the competition, and what’s you take on the group stage with the Czech Republic, Denmark and Italy?
Kuntz: We’d like to challenge for the title, we have the quality to do that. We’ll prepare intensely for this goal and contest two top-class friendlies against England and Portugal in March, who will also be taking part in the Euros. In our group, Denmark are a super Scandinavian team, I still have memories from the Czech Republic from 1996 and then there’s the big game against Italy – I’m really looking forward to the tournament.
