“We want to take that step in the right direction!”
A week to remember for Tayfun Korkut! Following his unveiling as Hertha’s new head coach and his first press conference, he held several sessions to get to know his team. On Friday, the 47-year-old held his first pre-match presser as coach of the Blue Whites. “I’ve been really welcomed here. Every single person at the club is ready to support me. There are many, many people here who hold the club close to their hearts,” said Korkut, summarising his first few days as part of the Hertha family. Alongside him sat sporting director Arne Friedrich, as they answered questions ahead of the trip to VfB Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon (15:30 CET), a former club of Korkut’s.
Tayfun Korkut and Arne Friedrich on...
... the work done in training:
Tayfun Korkut: We’ve got a few sessions under our belts now and the analysis of them has given us a few bits of information. The most important things for me are to get to know all the lads and to concentrate on making player profiles. That was the main thing and it confirmed to me a lot of things which I had presumed beforehand.
... first impressions of the club:
Tayfun Korkut: I’ve been really welcomed here. Every single person at the club is ready to support me – you can only wish for that as a new coach. There are many, many people here who hold the club close to their hearts.
... the effect of the change of coach:
Arne Friedrich: I’ve been to a few sessions on the pitches and of course, there is a lot of energy to be seen in training. We have noticed that Tayfun has clear ideas and gives clear instructions on what he wants to see, both in team meetings and on the pitch. Let’s not beat around the bush – we want and we need to win games. The lads have been highly focused this week and have given their all. At the end of the day, every player wants to be on the pitch and make use of their chance with a new coach.
... visiting a former club in Stuttgart:
Tayfun Korkut: It’s a bit of a special game for me, yes, because they were my last club and it’s my hometown. The more important thing is the game itself, though – VfB against Hertha. Whichever side wins that game will be making a step in the right direction, and we want to take that step!
... the reduction of spectator capacity at the Olympiastadion:
Arne Friedrich: We’ll roll with it; that’s what we’ve done so far. Of course, the proportion of restrictions needs to be questioned if the stadium can fit nearly 75,000 but only 5,000 are allowed in. We’ll do what is asked of us, but it’ll be a big shame for our fans.