Suche
Mein Konto
New coach Steffen demands competition: Werder goalkeeper in focus!
Werder Bremen signs Horst Steffen as their new coach. The competition in the goal between Zetterer and Backhaus begins.
New coach Steffen demands competition: Werder goalkeeper in focus!
A lot has happened at Werder Bremen: The club has hired Horst Steffen as its new coach. With a breath of fresh air and ambitious plans, Steffen would like to revitalize the goalkeeping situation. The challenge for the two goalkeepers, Michael Zetterer (29) and Mio Backhaus (21), is intended to create an exciting competitive situation that motivates everyone to give their best. Peter Niemeyer, the head of professional football at Werder, confirmed this line-up and leaves no doubt that the two will have to prove themselves in training to conquer the place between the posts.
Well, what does Mio Backhaus say about this new challenge? The young keeper has extended his contract with Werder and is excited about the opportunity to get more playing time. He was the substitute behind Zetterer last season and is determined to finally shine for his club. Initially there was speculation about a possible loan again, but Niemeyer values Backhaus not only as a player, but also as a person. He stressed that the young goalkeeper has progressed well despite a lack of action, although he tempered expectations of an immediate open tackle. [n-tv] reports that the situation is not only a sporting challenge for Backhaus, but also a character challenge.
Competition as an opportunity
The competition within the team could play a key role for Werder Bremen in the coming season. According to Gianluca Backhaus, this rivalry is not only noticeable on the pitch, but is also followed with excitement by the fans. For players like Backhaus, who have potential but are still waiting for playing time, it is important not only to learn, but also to be given opportunities. His assessment: “The competition excites me!” [transfermarkt] illustrates how important it is to keep talented players like him within the squad in order to offer perspective not only to the team, but also to the players themselves.
As for the new coach Steffen, he is aware of the typical challenges of coaching changes. Scientific studies have shown that such changes can often lead to a short-term increase in performance. Sebastian Zart, sports scientist at the TU Kaiserslautern, shows that the team usually performs better after a change of coach, which could be due to restructuring and motivation on the part of the new coach. Nevertheless, experts emphasize that coaches need time to form a team sustainably [BR].
An eye on the future
Werder Bremen's long-term goals are clear: In addition to the players' sporting development, it is also about financial stability. The questions surrounding exit clauses and transfer fees are of great importance for a club like Werder. The fear that talented players could leave the club for free is a constant issue.
An example is Woltemade, who left the club without a transfer fee and now has a market value of 30 million euros. One could say that there is something wrong if the board management cannot rethink and better support players like Backhaus.
Overall, Werder Bremen is at a crossroads that offers both challenges and great opportunities. Steffen and his team are challenged to get the best out of this constellation and to delight the fans in the coming season.