Huub Stevens introduced as new Hoffenheim Coach

HUUB STEVENS on...

...the attraction of taking over Hoffenheim:

The team have potential. They don’t belong so low down in the table but in the Bundesliga it is easy to slip down. It won’t be easy, because the team aren’t accustomed to situations like these. I have already spoken with the team, and the hard work starts now, not on Saturday. We must become a team, and only then will we begin to rectify this situation. We can’t do anything alone. I cannot score goals, nor can I prevent us from conceding myself, unfortunately. Markus Gisdol worked well for two and a half years here, and it’s a shame that it didn’t work out, but now we need to get rid of that style and stay in the league. That’s the first step, then we can move forward.

...his return:

Football is an addiction. I watched the TSG against HSV game on Friday evening. If there are three games on in an evening, I will watch all three. My wife says that I am crazy. It’s not great for the ambiance when I just sit there and don’t set anything.

... the approach from TSG:

I was called up on Saturday while I was watching the Bundesliga. It all went very quickly and I hope that it all goes well. I have also spoken with Dietmar Hopp. It was professional. TSG is not unlike other clubs. Everyone has a boss.

...the talk with his wife:

It wasn’t easy to explain to my wife. She had other thoughts, but she could see a passion in me, so she didn’t say a lot. We have been married for years, we’ll manage (laughs).

... his new post as head coach:

I don’t want to talk about weaknesses, only strengths. I don’t mind whether the players are young or old. Decisions will be based on quality and, ultimately, experience. The best players will play. That doesn’t necessarily mean the best individual players, but also the ones who work best in the team. There are eleven players who must be a unit. I want to get to know everyone in the squad on the pitch and in the dressing room, as I am now the outsider coming in. That will change.

 

ALEXANDER ROSEN on...

...his first chat with Huub Stevens:

The shareholders, management and I decided on Friday evening that we needed to analyse the situation critically, and we came to the conclusion that something had to change. Huub Stevens quickly became a realistic option. We called him on Saturday afternoon and opened up talks with him. He couldn’t believe the club’s current situation and saw our potential. On Sunday, Dietmar Hopp and Dr. Peter Görlich went to the Eindhoven. He was prepared and we had an open conversation. He did say, however, that he could only see himself at the club until the end of the season.

...Julian Nagelsmann:

Making Julian Nagelsmann the manager next season is a confident step. He is extremely young, but he was always a candidate for this position. He is a long-term option. Julian already has ten years experience as a coach and worked under Frank Kramer, Marco Kurz and Markus Gisdol for half a year, and had success with the U19s. Nearly every Bundesliga club have contacted us about him in the past. He is mature and has a personality.

...the immediate future:

Huub Stevens is the present. Julian Nagelsmann is the future. We have a lot of trust in Stevens; his experience, his prudence, his calmness and composure. Julian, therefore, won’t be thrown in at the deep end. He is getting more education as a football coach and will continue to look after the U19s. This is enough for him right now.

...the reason for switching up the coaching staff:

Before the HSV game I was still hoping that we could manage with Markus. The players and also Dietmar Hopp agreed, but that changed so we had to react. Markus Gisdol had two and a half good years here and this decision was not easy to make, but it was necessary. On Friday, there was an emptiness and helplessness about the team.