236 Bundesliga appearances, 33 caps for Germany, Bundesliga champion and DFB Cup winner in 2004, a third place finish in the 2006 World Cup in his home country and runners-up at the 2008 European Championships: Tim Borowski enjoyed a successful career, filled with highlights. As a professional, Borowski dedicated his entire career to SV Werder Bremen, with the exception of the 2008/09 campaign, when he spent one season with FC Bayern München. He will take on a new role at SVW starting on June 1st, becoming sporting director for Bremen's U23 side.
Borowski prepared for his new job during an 18-month-long trainee program at SV Werder. The 34-year-old will succeed a former team mate of his in Frank Baumann, who will step down at the end of this season at his own request. Tim Borowski sat down with DFB.de to talk about his anticipation for his new job, the importance of Bremen's U23 side and his working relationships with some of the other former Bremen players.
DFB.de: How much are you looking forward to your new job, Mr. Borowski?
Borowski: I'm really excited. It's going to be a new experience for me. I know the team already and I know that I'm surrounded by good and competent people.
DFB.de: How long did it take you to make up your mind before agreeing to take the job?
Borowski: I was slightly surprised when they offered me the position at first. I wasn't necessarily expecting a job offer as good as this one. But I was clearly excited about the opportunity and made up my mind relatively quickly.
DFB.de: What exactly will you be doing from now until 1st June?
Borowski: The plan is for me to be integrated into the daily business gradually, day by day. I will also take the time to watch as many games as I can. My task spectrum has quite a wide range and I intend to get a good overview of the different leagues, especially the U18 Bundesliga, the regional leagues and the 3rd division.
DFB.de: Will you also sit down with your predecessor Frank Baumann?
Borowski: We have and still do on a regular basis. We've known each other for a long time and get along great.
DFB.de: What exactly do you view as your tasks in your new job?
Borowski: I will be the link between upcoming youngsters and the first team. We want to form a good squad for our U23 team next season and play successful football. Our main aim is always focused on schooling and developing young talent. A constant exchange with Björn Schierenbeck, director of our performance centre, and Thomas Wolter, sporting director in our youth department, therefore play an important factor.
DFB.de: Last summer, an 18-month-long trainee program in SV Werder's management department came to an end for you. What did you learn during that time?
Borowski: I learned everything that is important at a football club. Making it run on a daily basis and preparing for a Bundesliga game to take place on the weekend. It was very exciting for me as a former player to get a look what goes on in our marketing department or performance centre for example. I also finished my sports management studies on the side, which was very important to me personally. Furthermore, I was able to realise several projects of my own and my kids were happy to see their father at home more often.
DFB.de: It is evident that SV Werder put a lot of emphasis into the development of their U23 side, while other clubs have decided not to install a second team. Why is it so important for Bremen to have a U23 team?
Borowski: Many U19 players have difficulties making the jump to the pros. An U23 side is the perfect stepping stone for them. New talent is given a chance to acclimatise to the men's level here. Furthermore they have regular match practice, which is indispensible at a young age.
DFB.de: Werder Bremen have installed a lot of their former players in key positions of the club. Head coach Viktor Skripnik, his assistant Torsten Frings and keeper coach Christian Vander are just a few of the examples. Does knowing each other well make the working relationship easier?
Borowski: The former players know the club's mentality very well. I think that's an advantage. But mainly I think that here at SV Werder the mixture of long serving employees and external colleagues makes the difference. There are frequently new impulses to feed off as well.
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236 Bundesliga appearances, 33 caps for Germany, Bundesliga champion and DFB Cup winner in 2004, a third place finish in the 2006 World Cup in his home country and runners-up at the 2008 European Championships: Tim Borowski enjoyed a successful career, filled with highlights. As a professional, Borowski dedicated his entire career to SV Werder Bremen, with the exception of the 2008/09 campaign, when he spent one season with FC Bayern München. He will take on a new role at SVW starting on June 1st, becoming sporting director for Bremen's U23 side.
Borowski prepared for his new job during an 18-month-long trainee program at SV Werder. The 34-year-old will succeed a former team mate of his in Frank Baumann, who will step down at the end of this season at his own request. Tim Borowski sat down with DFB.de to talk about his anticipation for his new job, the importance of Bremen's U23 side and his working relationships with some of the other former Bremen players.
DFB.de: How much are you looking forward to your new job, Mr. Borowski?
Borowski: I'm really excited. It's going to be a new experience for me. I know the team already and I know that I'm surrounded by good and competent people.
DFB.de: How long did it take you to make up your mind before agreeing to take the job?
Borowski: I was slightly surprised when they offered me the position at first. I wasn't necessarily expecting a job offer as good as this one. But I was clearly excited about the opportunity and made up my mind relatively quickly.
DFB.de: What exactly will you be doing from now until 1st June?
Borowski: The plan is for me to be integrated into the daily business gradually, day by day. I will also take the time to watch as many games as I can. My task spectrum has quite a wide range and I intend to get a good overview of the different leagues, especially the U18 Bundesliga, the regional leagues and the 3rd division.
DFB.de: Will you also sit down with your predecessor Frank Baumann?
Borowski: We have and still do on a regular basis. We've known each other for a long time and get along great.
DFB.de: What exactly do you view as your tasks in your new job?
Borowski: I will be the link between upcoming youngsters and the first team. We want to form a good squad for our U23 team next season and play successful football. Our main aim is always focused on schooling and developing young talent. A constant exchange with Björn Schierenbeck, director of our performance centre, and Thomas Wolter, sporting director in our youth department, therefore play an important factor.
DFB.de: Last summer, an 18-month-long trainee program in SV Werder's management department came to an end for you. What did you learn during that time?
Borowski: I learned everything that is important at a football club. Making it run on a daily basis and preparing for a Bundesliga game to take place on the weekend. It was very exciting for me as a former player to get a look what goes on in our marketing department or performance centre for example. I also finished my sports management studies on the side, which was very important to me personally. Furthermore, I was able to realise several projects of my own and my kids were happy to see their father at home more often.
DFB.de: It is evident that SV Werder put a lot of emphasis into the development of their U23 side, while other clubs have decided not to install a second team. Why is it so important for Bremen to have a U23 team?
Borowski: Many U19 players have difficulties making the jump to the pros. An U23 side is the perfect stepping stone for them. New talent is given a chance to acclimatise to the men's level here. Furthermore they have regular match practice, which is indispensible at a young age.
DFB.de: Werder Bremen have installed a lot of their former players in key positions of the club. Head coach Viktor Skripnik, his assistant Torsten Frings and keeper coach Christian Vander are just a few of the examples. Does knowing each other well make the working relationship easier?
Borowski: The former players know the club's mentality very well. I think that's an advantage. But mainly I think that here at SV Werder the mixture of long serving employees and external colleagues makes the difference. There are frequently new impulses to feed off as well.
