Christian Ilzer on…
…the last few days: “It’s been a turbulent week. I had a long conversation with the people in charge at TSG on Monday evening. I then spoke to my family and knew that I wanted to take this opportunity. I also informed Sturm Graz of this. The week of saying goodbye was then very intense. The four-and-a-half years have left their mark on me. The negotiations were tough but fair. Now everything is done and I’m very happy to be here.”
…his first impressions: “I arrived on Sunday evening, it was already dark. This morning we got to see the landscape for the first time. Now it’s all about getting to know the staff before we start with the team in the afternoon. There are still a few players away with their national teams. I’ll make contact with them before they return. We don’t have much time and want to get to work straight away. The arrival has been a success, now I have to absorb everything quickly.”
…the reasoning behind his move: „”The Bundesliga is a target for every Austrian coach. This is where you want to work. I know Andi Schicker and we have worked together very successfully. I knew that I wanted to do the same here. You don’t often get a chance like this, so I wanted to seize it. I didn’t have to think about it for long, but rather quickly and intensely. The decision was quickly made in favour of joining TSG. I’m delighted to be here. We want to make our mark in the big stadiums. Our aim is to create a good home atmosphere with our style. We want to play attractive football that is successful. I’m here to play successful football.”
…his departure from Graz: “I’ve always said that I’m leaving with a very clear conscience. We worked for four-and-a-half years to knock Salzburg off their perch. It took a lot of energy, but we managed to do it. After the double, you realised that there was a slight drop-off, but despite a tough summer, we managed to return to the top of the table with Graz. I wanted to establish a successful system, so that when I withdrew everything could work itself out. I was able to say goodbye to Graz because the team works without me. I’m now looking forward to the task here in Hoffenheim.”
…the timing of the move: “There is never an ideal moment. I saw it as a great opportunity. I’ve already had the experience of taking over a team from the role of assistant coach in November, and it worked very well back then. We now have eight games in five weeks. It will be very intense and I will see a lot. How are the players reacting? Who will be involved? That will be very valuable to see who is willing to go along with us. I’ve experienced all kinds of constellations in my coaching career. If you put a very good chess player at a chessboard where the game has been going on for a long time, the player doesn’t need to be told what happened before. He can read the game. I have brought very close associates with me. We want to connect with the existing team very quickly in order to be successful with the very good players we have. To do that, we need to see and analyse the state of play very quickly.”
…TSG’s team: “The team has a lot of potential, the club can be developed. With Andi Schicker, we have a set-up in which we have already worked successfully for many years. We want to develop step by step with our input. It’s a good chance to gain a foothold in a top five league and make an impression. We now need to take stock and refine everything in detail. We have a clear vision of the approach.”
…his coaching career: “It developed step by step. I always wanted to be a professional footballer, but serious knee injuries put an end to that dream. That’s why I looked for an alternative that would fulfil me just as much. I then gradually found my way into the coaching profession. I wanted to become a fitness coach, but at a world-class level. I worked very intensively on ideas for the game and spent time with many good coaches. I was assistant coach in higher leagues and head coach in lower leagues. When I started 20 years ago, my wife watched me on wooden benches in the lowest league, now she’s seen me in the Champions League in Dortmund. Being head coach fulfils me. It was in the fourth division at the latest that I realised that this is what I want to do.”
Andreas Schicker on…
…the last few days: “It was a very intense week, probably the most intense I’ve ever experienced in a management capacity. We sat down together on Monday with a list of coaches who fit in with our playing philosophy. We then made contact and had a long video call in the evening where we exchanged ideas. We also got in touch with the president of Graz and started negotiations. Christian said that he could imagine it and then it was clear to me that he was the ideal solution. Christian had a running contract, which is why we were still negotiating. I’m very happy that he’s here now. I’m very positive about the collaboration and the next few years at TSG.”
…his new head coach: “Christian stands for absolute clarity. He manages to organise his team perfectly. That’s very important at this level. What’s more, he’s busy with football around the clock.Christian will probably always be the last person to leave the office. He is a perfectionist who is very focused on detail. He can develop individual players. These are all qualities that fit perfectly with TSG.”
…the goals until the end of the year: “It will be very important to pick up points in the Bundesliga. But we also know that there are many opponents who won’t be easy to play against. Nevertheless, this month is important for us to gain knowledge. We want the coaching team to get to know all the players and we want to move in the same direction together.”