Oliver Reck is very familiar with the DFB Cup. As a player, the now 51-year-old lifted the title four times - twice each with Werder Bremen and Schalke 04. The keeper also participated in four more finals.
Meanwhile, the former Germany international has assumed coaching duties at lower league club Kickers Offenbach, who are set to face second division side Hannover 96 in the opening round of this year’s DFB Cup.
In an interview with DFB.de Reck talks about the chances for the fourth division side, but he also explains why working in Offenbach is an affair of the heart for him and why the situation at the former Bundesliga outfit is extremely difficult at the moment.
DFB.de: Mr. Reck, what are your feelings going into the encounter with Hannover 96?
Oliver Reck: I'm really looking forward to it. Naturally it's a tough challenge for us, but I still don't think we will be without a chance. We need a perfect day and at the same time Hannover has to slightly underestimate us. If that happens, we might have a chance.
DFB.de: What gives you hope?
Reck: We played against several second division sides in pre-season. We put up a good fight against Fortuna Düsseldorf for most of the match and the differences between the second and fourth division isn't as great anymore. Anything can happen in one game of football. We have to believe in that and that's also what makes this competition so exciting.
DFB.de: You've won the Cup four times. Which was the most memorable triumph?
Oliver Reck is very familiar with the DFB Cup. As a player, the now 51-year-old lifted the title four times - twice each with Werder Bremen and Schalke 04. The keeper also participated in four more finals.
Meanwhile, the former Germany international has assumed coaching duties at lower league club Kickers Offenbach, who are set to face second division side Hannover 96 in the opening round of this year’s DFB Cup.
In an interview with DFB.de Reck talks about the chances for the fourth division side, but he also explains why working in Offenbach is an affair of the heart for him and why the situation at the former Bundesliga outfit is extremely difficult at the moment.
DFB.de: Mr. Reck, what are your feelings going into the encounter with Hannover 96?
Oliver Reck: I'm really looking forward to it. Naturally it's a tough challenge for us, but I still don't think we will be without a chance. We need a perfect day and at the same time Hannover has to slightly underestimate us. If that happens, we might have a chance.
DFB.de: What gives you hope?
Reck: We played against several second division sides in pre-season. We put up a good fight against Fortuna Düsseldorf for most of the match and the differences between the second and fourth division isn't as great anymore. Anything can happen in one game of football. We have to believe in that and that's also what makes this competition so exciting.
DFB.de: You've won the Cup four times. Which was the most memorable triumph?
Reck: My first Cup victory in 1991, since it was simply an extraordinary experience. For me as a keeper it was even more special, since we had to prevail in a penalty shoot-out against 1. FC Köln. It was a great experience but ultimately each title win has its own story.
DFB.de: How important is the DFB Cup for Kickers Offenbach - particularly since they are currently in a difficult situation from a financial aspect?
Reck: Every day there are new rumours and I don't want to comment on those things too much. But at the moment we are working hard each day just so we can keep going here the next. To answer your question: With the situation we are in, it would be extremely valuable to us to reach the next round. It would be additional funds that could become very important here. At the same time however, we've only planned with the funds that we will receive from our first round encounter. Everything else would be presumptuous.
DFB.de: What do you expect from Hannover 96?
Reck: They might've been relegated from the Bundesliga last season, but they aren't the big favourites to secure promotion this year for no reason. Just look at the players they signed in attack. Niclas Füllkrug and Martin Harnik are two great additions, who could've found a club in the Bundesliga. But I also want to repeat that we won't be chanceless in this match-up. We want to seize our opportunity no matter how unrealistic it is. At the same time our focus is definitely on the championship.
DFB.de: When you assumed the coaching position at Offenbach at the start of the year you said it was an affair of the heart. Is that still the case?
Reck: Yes definitely. Kickers Offenbach was my springboard to the Bundesliga 30 years ago. I'm very thankful for that. I grew up here and I got the necessary support. I want to give some of that back now. It's definitely still an affair of the heart for me.
