Horst Hrubesch led the Germany Olympics team to a Silver medal in Rio de Janeiro. His side lost 5-4 on penalties to hosts Brazil in the final. In an interview with DFB.de, the legendary coach talks about the past year, the time in Brazil and his future.
DFB.de: Horst Hrubesch, 2016 was quite a special year, how was it for you?
Hrubesch: Looking back now, 2016 was a simply wonderful year. A lot happened that you can’t plan for, but there were also lots of moments where you could really see how much this new group of U21 players have developed, and continue to develop. Everyone knew we had some problems before the Olympic Games. We went into the tournament without much preparation, but at the end of the day we had a team that has a lot of character and that has grown a lot together. Do you want to know the best part?
DFB.de: Please!
Hrubesch: The best thing is that the team were rewarded for their efforts. So many people stopped me on the streets or at events after the games and told me: “It was wonderful how those boys played,” or “It was so much fun watching the team and following them to the final.” I was really surprised. Suddenly I started getting sacks full of letters asking for autographs. Even for an old man like me that meant a lot.
DFB.de: Looking back at Brazil: is there any moment that will live especially long in the memory?
Hrubesch: There were several things. Firstly, I am grateful for the team I had around me. All the staff, Hansi Flick the sporting director, my assistants Thomas Nörenberg and Marcus Sorg. They all stood behind me 100% and contributed a lot. After the first game I got sick, I couldn’t talk at all and was stuck in bed. I thought I may even have to come home. A few players came to me, Leon Goretzka, Max Meyer and the Bender twins, and they said to me. “Coach, don’t worry, we’ll be alright. We will get the job done, even if you’re sick here in bed.” I got the same level of support from the coaching staff and it really showed me how much spirit we had in the team.
DFB.de: You enjoyed two successes as head coach: the 2009 U21 EUROs and the Silver at the 2016 Olympics. Which carries more weight for you?
Horst Hrubesch led the Germany Olympics team to a Silver medal in Rio de Janeiro. His side lost 5-4 on penalties to hosts Brazil in the final. In an interview with DFB.de, the legendary coach talks about the past year, the time in Brazil and his future.
DFB.de: Horst Hrubesch, 2016 was quite a special year, how was it for you?
Hrubesch: Looking back now, 2016 was a simply wonderful year. A lot happened that you can’t plan for, but there were also lots of moments where you could really see how much this new group of U21 players have developed, and continue to develop. Everyone knew we had some problems before the Olympic Games. We went into the tournament without much preparation, but at the end of the day we had a team that has a lot of character and that has grown a lot together. Do you want to know the best part?
DFB.de: Please!
Hrubesch: The best thing is that the team were rewarded for their efforts. So many people stopped me on the streets or at events after the games and told me: “It was wonderful how those boys played,” or “It was so much fun watching the team and following them to the final.” I was really surprised. Suddenly I started getting sacks full of letters asking for autographs. Even for an old man like me that meant a lot.
DFB.de: Looking back at Brazil: is there any moment that will live especially long in the memory?
Hrubesch: There were several things. Firstly, I am grateful for the team I had around me. All the staff, Hansi Flick the sporting director, my assistants Thomas Nörenberg and Marcus Sorg. They all stood behind me 100% and contributed a lot. After the first game I got sick, I couldn’t talk at all and was stuck in bed. I thought I may even have to come home. A few players came to me, Leon Goretzka, Max Meyer and the Bender twins, and they said to me. “Coach, don’t worry, we’ll be alright. We will get the job done, even if you’re sick here in bed.” I got the same level of support from the coaching staff and it really showed me how much spirit we had in the team.
DFB.de: You enjoyed two successes as head coach: the 2009 U21 EUROs and the Silver at the 2016 Olympics. Which carries more weight for you?
Hrubesch: Each has its own merits. I have to thank the players for sharing these successes with me. Of course, I helped too, there’s no question of that, but at the end of the day the players are the ones who made me a European champion and Olympics Silver medallist. It’s not possible for me to say that one is greater than the other.
DFB.de: Your time with the DFB had come to an end, but now you are staying. Tell us more about your role within the association?
Hrubesch: Working in youth football has been a big part of my life and I want to continue that. I’m going to continue coaching for the DFB, so nothing has changed on that front, except for that I’m no longer training a specific team.
DFB.de: Will you act as a mentor for some of the younger coaches?
Hrubesch: Exactly, you can look at my role as like a mentor, which will really come to life when the DFB Academy is complete. There will be so many great opportunities for the DFB when that opens. We have a great mixture of young coaches and those with a lot of experience. Now we want to work together to work out what we can do better. We know we are good. We’re very good. But we can always be better.
