Translation: Loooong Interview with Joachim Löw (Zeit Magazin)
Source: http://www.zeit.de/2012/23/Fussball-Bundestrainer-Loew
Note zarah5: I thought this was a really interesting interview with Löw which provided some insights into how die Mannschaft operates. Also, it provides insights into how much Löw values young players.
JOACHIM LÖW "That's the way I want it"
At the beginning of the European Championship: The coach of the German national team Joachim Löw talks about authorities, good upbringing and his dislike of Facebook and Twitter
© Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images
ZEITmagazin: Mr. Löw, due to the Champions League final of the Bayern players, you could not fully assemble your team up until ten days before its first match in the Euros. Is that enough to win the title?
Joachim Löw: Obviously, it's far from ideal and of course it isn’t what I’d have wished for. We’ll make the best of it, though, and have adjusted the training accordingly. After the painful defeat of the FC Bayern in the Champions League final, we’ll also have to do some careful psychological work to get them back on their feet. But even though it was a tough experience: The Bayern players will assume their roles within our ranks and will move past their disappointment. They’ve been through enough difficult situations to prove that you can count on them.
ZEITmagazin: Accepting compromises even before the first match must be hard on your perfectionist nature.
Löw: Just to make it perfectly clear: I will never use this situation as an excuse. The team has grown so much over the past few years that we'll have a great start into the tournament despite our somewhat limited preparation phase.
ZEITmagazin: After achieving third place at the WC and, before that, second place at the last EC, the country is longing for a title.
Löw: Well, I’m sure it’s nice to win a title. We want that, too, and it is indeed our goal to win the European Championship. But for me as a trainer, it is more important-no, more satisfying, to see how well the team has developed. When I started, in 2006 after the WC, I asked myself: Where will we be in 2010, 2012? Where did we do well up until now? How far have we come in those two years? What type of football do I want to play with this team? What do we need for our players? What do I want?
ZEITmagazin: And how would you answer these questions today?
Löw: When I look at how we played recently during the EC qualifications, but also during the friendlies against Brazil and the Netherlands, then I’m very satisfied. I can see that the team is seen in a positive light, that they exhibit their joy of the game and that they are now playing a modern, attractive football. And when we are good, we will also be successful. Of course, it's also a given that during a European Championship with 16 more or less strong teams, one mistake may be enough to cost you the title. A defender’s tackle goes wrong, he misses the ball, the opponent lands a penalty shot… It has always been my vision that our team can play the type of football that is based on dominating an opponent rather than on merely reacting to their actions. It doesn’t guarantee we’ll be successful, but it does make it much more likely.
ZEITmagazin: Can you give us an example of this dominance? The requirement to pass the ball safely and quickly?
Löw: No, not necessarily as safely as possible! But certainly as quickly as possible, yes. We used to play too slowly. Our game was characterized by too little movement and by actions taking too long. From the moment the ball was accepted to when it was passed, it used to take an average of 2.8 seconds. So we asked ourselves what we can do to decrease instances of cross passing or passing back to the goalkeeper. We introduced a different distribution of space, different sequences of movement, and we practices more sprints, both with and without the ball. We created training intervals which logically lead to the game increasing in speed.
ZEITmagazin: How many seconds is it now?
Löw: In good matches, we’re down to about a second; we've even measured 0.9 seconds on occasion. It depends on the opponent, of course. If you have Kazakhstan crowding the penalty box with ten players, we do need more time.
ZEITmagazin: People call you a master of motivation. How do you reach 20-year old millionaires?
Löw: It doesn’t matter whether they’re young or old, or how much money they earn: If I need to motivate someone like Gomez or Neuer, I’m doing it wrong. I try, through intensive communication, that the players' own motivations increase. I formulate targets together with them, explain to them: These are your strengths, you need to use them effectively; here are weak points and you need to do more about them. I don’t use motivational tricks to somehow awaken a special kind of enthusiasm in a team. We’ve managed to convince the players that our concept is good for them. They see that they develop their abilities further with us. That’s how you build trust.
ZEITmagazin: Did you face initial opposition?
Löw: If you change something, deviate from well-worn paths, you will be regarded with a certain amount of initial skepticism - and sometimes, you will face opposition. However, on the part of the players we encountered a lot of openness, even curiosity, regarding innovations right from the start. It’s just that they wanted us to explain why we did something in a certain way - and we did explain, right from the beginning.
Page 2/4:
"When in doubt, team spirit is more important than individualism"
ZEITmagazin: What were the most severe changes?
Löw: Apart from the previously mentioned, domination-oriented game philosophy, it was probably how you communicate, how you interact with one another. A respectful, trusting interaction in our team is of utmost importance to me, reliability and trust are crucial factors in this context. Open communication at eye level, the capacity to accept criticism, transparency, tolerance, we did try to show this in all our actions, but it takes a while until it becomes natural for everyone involved, both for the players and also for the persons looking after them. Until people trust each other.
ZEITmagazin: Don’t professionals love clear statements?
Löw: They do! But nowadays, you can’t just give an order and expect everyone to obey; you need to convince the players. These are self-confident, intelligent, thoughtful and self-reliant young men. I think there’s been quite a change here in recent years, not just in football, but in the whole of society.
ZEITmagazin: Does it happen that your way of moderation-oriented communication is misunderstood?
Löw: It happens, yes.
ZEITmagazin: How do you avoid that?
Löw: Before I talk to the players, I think about how best to address them. I often discuss this with our team psychologist Hans-Dieter Hermann. Some players need to be addressed on an emotional level, others respond better to clear, rational instructions.
ZEITmagazin: What does that mean, addressing someone on an emotional level?
Löw: It means that when you criticise a player, you start with a positive experience. You move from praise to criticism.
ZEITmagazin: Which players respond to that?
Löw: Lukas Podolski is one of those sensible players who respond well to being addressed on an emotional level. Mario Götze, too. Or Mesut Özil. Actually, it's offense players in general who respond to emotional explanations. Defenders, strategists, they prefer precise instructions. In a way, that's only logical because it's just what I want from them in a match: precise orders, clear decisions.
ZEITmagazin: How does the young generation of players differ from the older one?
Löw: They are keen to learn things. And they do have values and interests that go beyond football. These values stabilise the players, the way they think and act, and build their character. It's why they are better prepared - you can see this with Mario Götze right now - for setbacks, be it because of injuries or simply because they're in a bad form.
ZEITmagazin: And here people are saying that the young generation is glued to the Playstation, always hanging around Facebook and Twitter.
Löw: Be that as it may, but I do observe that these young people move within a clear framework of values: reliability, ambition, the ability to accept criticism, professionalism. I can only repeat it: They treat each other with respect and are very polite and friendly also to people in our second or third row. They know how to judge their own performances, know how to handle popularity. They are self-confident, but also thoughtful. They know what they want and still ask for advice. For example, when they consider a change of clubs, they ask me: Trainer, what do you recommend? The new generation of players is very open and all things considered, it seems to me that they have been raised well - even though that might sounds slightly old-fashioned.
ZEITmagazin: Do you know the players' parents?
Löw: In some cases, yes. When I talk about good upbringing, though, I'm not just thinking about the parents, but also about their choice of friends, about how they interact with them. The clubs also contribute with their youth development work.
ZEITmagazin: Is there a difference in how you address the young and the older players?
Löw: Young players such as Sami Khedira, Thomas Müller, Holder Badstuber, the Bender twins or Julian Draxler, they were able to develop their own character much faster and more fully than what used to be the case before. It's partly the result of the encompassing education they get in the clubs, which has improved not only in terms of football skills. In the youth development centers of professional clubs, the youths are also encouraged to perform well in school. It means they have to learn and will become, if they're good: able to learn. They are down to earth and know better how to deal with defeats; they're not as easy to destabilise just because they played badly in a match. And if the trainer criticises them, they accept that criticism.
ZEITmagazin: How many egotists can a team take?
Löw: I'll put it like this: When in doubt, team spirit is more important than individualism. In the end, the functioning of the team is what counts. If someone is exceptionally skilled, but somehow inhibits and limits all others in some way, then it gets difficult. Then the trainer needs to decide whether he wants to rely on such a player.
ZEITmagazin: Sounds like: When in doubt, the answer is no.
Löw: Yes, true: In case of doubt, no.
Page 3/4:
"Only players who are able to learn are good players"
ZEITmagazin: Are you better at talking one-on-one or in a group?
Löw: It depends. Sometimes, it makes sense to say something in front of the entire group. You have to, before and after a game, then you need to give a short talk or tactical instructions or other topics that concern the entire team, so everyone needs to hear that. On the other hand, it can have its advantages to train or discuss in a small group.
ZEITmagazin: Because that's when you have real discussions?
Löw: A small group is more likely to discuss than a bigger one.
ZEITmagazin: Do you sometimes face opposition?
Löw: Opposition? Well, let's call it differences of opinion. There were, especially in the beginning of our engagement, moments in which people were of a different opinion regarding our game philosophy. That hasn't happened in a while, though.
ZEITmagazin: What was it that was criticised?
Löw: Some players preferred training or playing the way did in their clubs.
ZEITmagazin: How did you react?
Löw: I explained why we were doing things the way we were doing them, then I listened to their views. Eventually, we reached a point when I said: Yes, sure, I understand you, but this is the way we do it! Like this! That's how I want it!
ZEITmagazin: How can we picture it when you criticise a player?
Löw: It depends on the situation. If it's about a players options and our expectations, we discuss it in a private conversation.
ZEITmagazin: Who's “we”?
Löw: The coaching team. Or just me.
ZEITmagazin: What does “discuss” mean?
Löw: We start by analyising his situation, his development. Then we tell him how we perceive him. Then I explain my expectations: The player leans what, precisely, I want to see from him in his position. And then - very important - we ask him how he himself sees his situation.
ZEITmagazin: That's something you ask?
Löw: Of course!
ZEITmagazin: And how does such a conversation end?
Löw: After exchanging our opinions, we formulate our expectations: In the next eight weeks, we want you to focus on tackling your opponent, on improving that, on playing less fouls. Of course we combine that with concrete ideas for solutions. The player then knows what we'll be looking for. In the end, you have something like an oral agreement.
ZEITmagazin: Where do these conversations happen?
Löw: We've created a sort of lounge atmosphere in the rooms where the trainers talk to the players, a place where we can sit back and talk or even just drink a cup of coffee together. The atmosphere differs from that of an office or a meeting room, where players feel like they're being cited and now have to face the boss. It's one of those changes that was met with initial skepticism.
ZEITmagazin: But of course these relaxed conversations can't always be about perspectives; in some cases, probably less relaxed, you'll also have to discuss a lack of perspective.
Löw: Yes, that happens as well.
ZEITmagazin: How do you start such a conversation?
Löw: I explain to the player what I expect, what our philosophy is and why I'm not satisfied, what I don't want to see from him anymore because it could cost him his place in the squad.
ZEITmagazin: How do the players react?
Löw: Usually, it's the final stage of a communication that's been going on for a while. Sometimes, players have different tasks in their clubs and then it can be difficult for them to change their habits for the national team. Of course we do have patience, but what matters to me is: Who's able to adapt quickly? Is a player able to learn? Only players who are able to learn are good players.
ZEITmagazin: Someone who's not willing to learn has no real perspective?
Löw: That's a way of putting it. It sounds tough, but in the long run, it's important that everyone goes through a learning process in order to improve the quality of the team.
ZEITmagazin: How do you control whether your orders are also observed when playing for the clubs?
Löw: It can be difficult, of course, because clubs tend to have different priorities and I don't meddle with the daily work of my coaching colleagues. But there are some basic issues where I'm not willing to compromise.
Page 4/4:
"Correct tackling is not up for discussion"
ZEITmagazin: For example?
Löw: Correct tackling is not up for discussion. If someone tackles six times and causes a penalty three times, then I don't care what the club coach wants from him, then he's just not the right player for us.
ZEITmagazin: Is there a type of misbehaviour from players that enrages you? For example if someone under-performs so constantly you have to tell him: You're wasting your talent?
Löw: There is not a single one of our players who constantly under-performs or he wouldn't remain with the national squad for long. I'd like to give you a different answer, though: We have to aim at getting even high potential players to use every single one of their skills. And I hope it doesn't sound arrogant when I say that I believe we're doing pretty well.
ZEITmagazin: You consider yourself capable of that?
Löw: Usually, yes. If a player with great potential repeatedly makes the same mistakes, then his potential may be great, but he's lacking the ability to learn, to concentrate. That's something we need to work on.
ZEITmagazin: How quickly can you tell whether someone is able to learn?
Löw: I know relatively quickly, but not always right away - sometimes, you see it only after several training sequences or after a couple of games - whether a player can fulfill my expectations.
ZEITmagazin: We're taking this opportunity to ask: Do the players address you formally or informally?
Löw: A few say “Du,” but most say “Sie”. [Note zarah5: Du=informal, Sie=formal]
ZEITmagazin: »Trainer, du« and »Trainer, Sie«?
Löw: Yes.
ZEITmagazin: Who's allowed to say “Du”?
Löw: Lukas Podolski says “Du.”
ZEITmagazin: Without you offering it to him?
Löw: Well, back when I was co-coaching under Jürgen Klinsmann, it somehow just happened automatically with him. I never explicitly offered it to anyone. But back then, I was somehow on an informal basis with all the older players such as Lehmann, Ballack or Frings. With the younger ones, excluding Lukas Podolski, it was the formal address. With Philipp Lahm, for example, or with Bastian Schweinsteiger or Per Mertesacker. And they still use the formal address with me - just like the younger players who have come in since 2006.
ZEITmagazin: And you address them all formally as well, no?
Löw: No, no. I say “Du.”
ZEITmagazin: You say “Du” to all of them?
Löw: Yes.
ZEITmagazin: So that's something like the boss' tiny privilege.
Löw: I don't know. I just say “Du.”
ZEITmagazin: Most young players have a Facebook profile and a Twitter account through which they communicate with the outside world. Does that tell you something?
Löw: Of course, but it isn't my way of communicating, so I never actually came in touch with it.
ZEITmagazin: Don't you think it might be of advantage to take a look, just to better understand your players?
Löw: No. I respect that the players are using it. It isn't my form of communicating, though. I consider it as somewhat risky.
ZEITmagazin: Why?
Löw: It fail to understand how people can freely share their own life, including private, in some cases even intimate details, with thousands or even millions of people. But as I said, that's up to them. As for me, I just heard that my lawyer had to shut down pages that someone ran under my name. That someone can do this using a fake name sheds a certain light on the whole system.
ZEITmagazin: How do you reach the players when you need to tell them something?
Löw: I write a SMS. Usually, they react very quickly to that. Important things are discussed only orally, often on the phone.
ZEITmagazin: Are you worried that players might twitter private things about the team during the Euro?
Löw: No, I'm not, because we have a clear set of rules. They don't essentially differ from the rules we've had before: The changing room, the content of our team discussions, tactics, injuries and so on are not to be shared. Same goes for any private details of other player and the training staff.
ZEITmagazin: So who controls it?
Löw: I'm sure I'll hear of it if our rules are disregarded. There's no need for me to actively surf on all channels.
JOACHIM LÖW
52, has been Germany's national coach since 2006. Before that, he co-trained under his predecessor Jürgen Klinsmann. As a player, he was active for Freiburg, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. He trained clubs in Istanbul, Karlsruhe and Wien. Löw is married and lives in Breisgau near Freiburg.