Dear football friends, A year or two ago I ran into football manager Jörg Schmadtke in front of “Schumann’s” in Munich. “Schumann’s” is not just any bar, possibly even the bar par excellence for everyone who wants to be something in show bizz. Schmadtke left “Schumann’s” at the side of Elyas M’Barek, followed by two young women who were obviously aiming for a selfie with M’Barek, Germany’s greatest film star.
Nobody wanted a photo with Schmadtke.
So it was just as Schmadtke has been experiencing in football for almost two decades: everyone rushes at the beautiful, youthful heroes, the second row is reserved for Schmadtke, in which he, according to his own information, feels so comfortable. The fact that Schmadtke, who declares at every “Sportstudio” appearance that he doesn’t need recognition for his work, can be found in a wannabe bar like “Schumann’s” was surprising. It may be a long way from there to Wolfsburg, from M’Barek to Mark van Bommel.
Ex-BVB coach apparently a candidate in Wolfsburg – interim coach is certain
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YESTERDAY AT 06:53
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But the question of whether Schmadtke is a really good football manager or just a power actor of himself, this question has been more open than ever since the weekend.
“Desired solution” van Bommel failed
What was it like in the summer when VfL opted for van Bommel? That was quite surprising. There was talk of “intensive personal conversations”, of the fact that it “fit perfectly with our philosophy”, and in the end there was even the euphemism “desired solution”.
From Schmadtke’s mouth. About a van Bommel who, as a player, had earned a reputation as an unruly hotspur. That sounded promising, exciting, and risky for that very reason. Less than five months later, the “desired solution” failed. When the “kicker” complains that van Bommel has switched the existing successful game system too radically from switching to ball possession football, then one has to ask oneself what common “philosophy” Schmadtke was talking about in the summer?
VfL Wolfsburg: Mark van Bommel and Jörg Schmadtke
Fotocredit: Imago
How can Schmadtke be so mistaken?
So – find the mistake: An experienced football manager makes a contract with a Bundesliga newcomer, to whom he throws the above-mentioned caresses, but throws this coach out again after a very short time, in the first crisis. What does that say about a sports director with that much experience, if he can be so mistaken? Schmadtke has his merits, which are now listed reflexively: His former clubs Aachen, Hanover, Cologne have been promoted to the European Cup under the manager Schmadtke. He was honored as football manager of the year, and Anthony Modeste sold him for 35 million from Cologne to China – the question of what the tasks and expertise of a sports director in football are should be considered separately.
First and foremost, it is personnel acquisition for club success: players, coaches. And then I have to stand behind these staff, after all I bought them. Especially when I give a young coach like van Bommel a chance, which is worth all credit, then I have to support him, at least through the first crisis. Wouldn’t that have been his very first managerial duty? But what does Schmadtke, the “coach killer”, who he absolutely does not want to be, but who simply confirms the old cliché over and over again, does?
What does Schmadtke have against his coaches?
In the course of van Bommel’s dismissal, stories were launched of how he made life difficult for Oliver Glasner, who was so extremely successful in Wolfsburg, even before van Bommel. Schmadtke had fetched him too, he had wanted to get rid of him too. Which just didn’t work because Glasner simply worked too successfully. In fourth place, even in Wolfsburg, no coach can be dismissed. Not even from Schmadtke. But why do you want to get rid of someone when they are successful?
That is illogical for a professional company like the Bundesliga, which is all about success. Or it’s personal, so it’s about things like ego, power and hubris. So here is the job advertisement for the next VfL Wolfsburg coach under the supervisor Jörg Schmadtke:
“The retort club is looking for well-known sporting directors with a common philosophy. Anyone who develops their own philosophy as a coach is generously compensated. The trial period ends after ten match days.”
About Thilo Komma-Pöllath:
The sports journalist and author (“Die Hoeneß”) illuminates the events in the Bundesliga for Eurosport.de in his weekly blog “Der LIGAstheniker”. Often skeptical, ironic, critical – but after all, someone has to hold the ball flat.
Mourinho annoyed by rumors: “There can be no bigger lie”
“Surprised and disappointed”: Wolfsburg dismisses van Bommel
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YESTERDAY AT 3:26 PM
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Still undefeated: Freiburg shoots van Bommel deeper into the crisis
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23/10/2021 AM 15:24
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