"Berlin is my true love"

Berlin – Ellery Cairo joined Hertha in 2005 from SC Freiburg. He was team mates with Hertha’s current manager Pál Dárdai and scored three goals in 43 appearances for the Berlin-based club. The Dutchmen, who has roots Surinam, eventually left in 2007 for England to link up with Coventry.

After his spell in the UK, Cairo returned to his home country, but was forced to end his career in the 2012/13 season due to a serious injury. His passion remains closely linked to his profession however, as he has started a career in Women’s football. We sat down with the 38-year-old to talk about his current situation and the upcoming Bundesliga encounter between his former two clubs Hertha and Freiburg.

herthabsc.de: Hi Ellery, you’re active career has been over for a few years now. What have you been doing since then?
Ellery Cairo: I had to end my professional career in 2013 due to an injury. I had a knee surgery and the healing process wasn’t optimal and it had me sidelined for nearly six months. Afterwards I started to lift a lot of weights. I now weigh 93kg, but as an active player it was more like 70kg. (laughs)

herthabsc.de: What happened next? What profession did you move into?
Ellery Cairo: For a time I worked as the assistant coach at Twente’s women’s team. Since then I’ve started to work more with youth team players, however. I support them in the gym. Working in women’s football was my entry point and I enjoyed working as the assistant or athletics coach. Being the head coach isn’t my type of thing.

herthabsc.de: What’s next?
Ellery Cairo: I would like to work for a big club like Freiburg or Hertha as their athletics coach. I still need some time to continue my development, but I’ve already done apprenticeships and I will start my third in about two months. I hope that I will be able to work as a coach in about three years.

herthabsc.de: You played for Hertha until 2007. What do you remember from that time?
Ellery Cairo: I had a great time in Berlin and I truly enjoyed playing in the Bundesliga. Playing for Hertha is something very special. I still keep in touch with some of the players from then like Kevin-Prince Boateng, Christian Müller or Ashkan Dejagah.

herthabsc.de: One of your team mates from then is now the manager...
Ellery Cairo: Yes, I played together with Pál Dárdai. He’s a really good guy who knows a lot about football. He also helped me during my time at Hertha. It was already obvious then, that he could become Hertha’s manager one day. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s so successful either.

herthabsc.de: What do you think Hertha can still achieve this season?
Ellery Cairo: Whenever I have time, I watch Hertha’s games. I think the club belongs in an international competition. That should be feasible this season, right? (laughs)

Herthabsc.de: Is there something you miss from Berlin?
Ellery Cairo: The last time I was in Berlin was a year ago, which is far too long. Berlin is my true love and I miss taking walks on the Kurfürstendamm, for example. The Olympic stadium was the best stadium I ever played in.

herthabsc.de: This weekend your former teams will face each other. Are you still in touch with anybody at Freiburg?
Ellery Cairo: I don’t hear a lot from former team mates from my time in Freiburg any more. It’s strange when two of your former clubs play against each other – it’s special. I hope that the better team, the side that plays better football, wins. I think both teams will try to win the game and it will be an exciting match. I predict a 2-2 draw.

herthabsc.de: What is Freiburg capable off this season?
Ellery Cairo: I think Freiburg will definitely avoid relegation and Hertha will play on the international stage next season.