''It's always about us, never just me''

He's back: Alfred Schreuder, former assistant coach at TSG Hoffenheim, is all set for his first Bundesliga season in the top job. His decision to leave Ajax to move back to the Kraichgau was one he had to ponder over: ''I feel really at home here. I feel very close to and very much in touch with things I like. I love the sense of emotional closeness. The memories I have of my first spell here are entirely positive,'' said the Dutchman during his interview for the latest edition of the club magazine SPIELFELD, set for publication on 9 August.  

The new Bundesliga season kicks off on 16 August, and the new head coach has given himself a clear set of goals: ''We have to keep our feet on the ground, but at the same time not be afraid to show off our identity and our way of playing the game. We play adventurous, positive football, and will always, when possible, seek to attack early on in matches.'' TSG's new-found self-image is set to play an important role: ''Courageous and confident. Not arrogant, but at the same time never talking ourselves down. TSG are only a small club in the sense that the village of Hoffenheim is small. A new sense of confidence has emerged, prompted, no doubt, by two years of competing in Europe. TSG have now spent 11 years in the Bundesliga - the club has written its own history. Everyone here has worked hard to get the club to where it is now. We've carved out our own identity.''

"As a coach, you have to be a good observer"

The instructions for day-to-day work under Schreuder are also clearly defined: ''If we want to win, then the only thing that matters is that we remain disciplined. If you don't have that then you might as well forget it. If either the coaching staff or the players become negligent then there's no chance you'll have success. That's why it's so important to keep a clear head. It's always about 'us', never just 'me'. When the players see that the coach takes his duties seriously and sets a good example, then that transmits to them. As a coach, you have to be a good observer. I had a long playing career. I know that players can tell whether or not I see when they do something wrong, and it's important that I then let them know. It's not about being tough; it's just being honest. It's always about the basics, both on and off the pitch."

The playing philosophy will remain an attacking one, but, in light of the 52 goals conceded last season, it's important that the team become more solid at the back: ''We always have to see what's best for the lads, which players fit which system. But at the end of the day, it's also vital that we have our best players out on the pitch at any given time. In addition to a 3-4-3, we will also look to play a 4-4-2 diamond, with a nominal striker playing in the number 10 role. We want to be proactive with the ball regardless of which formation we're playing in. We want to dominate matches. We have enormous quality going forward.''

Schreuder is not weighed down by concerns regarding his new role and the difficult decisions he'll have to make over the course of the season: ''We're all working together to do what's best for the club. There will be decisions I make that players won't agree with, but they must know it's nothing against them personally; it's just what I deem best for the team. You just have to be clear, open and honest. Then it works.''