Season
19.06.19
Dieter Hecking: “Putting the puzzle together”
The new HSV head coach spoke to the press during the first training session of the season and he spoke about his first thoughts on HSV, the tactics for the new season and the face of the new team.
Dieter Hecking got stuck right in at the first training session of the 2019/20 season. The 54-year-old coach, who was appointed HSV coach three weeks ago, paced relentlessly between mini goal-nets A and B, coaching his new squad while they completed various exercises. Hecking presented himself as determined and commanding but simultaneously positive in front of the assembled press, and had this to say about his first training session at the club: "When you've got a new challenge ahead of you, then you're always very motivated and will directly try to influence things from the get go. The whole situation is still not set in stone. I always compare it to a puzzle. You've got the pieces - now you've got to put them together." Players both old and new, possible departures and arrivals, ambitious season aims and completely different surroundings all face Germany's 2015 Coach of the Year, who chose the challenge of HSV with full conviction after 13 years' experience in the Bundesliga. Together with his team, Hecking will now put his 'puzzle' together as best as possible to find the necessary strength for the upcoming season and get the whole Rothosen squad on board. 500 fans watched on this morning as the players trained for the first time since their summer break: "When you receive such a friendly reception like the one earlier, then you see that HSV is and remains extremely important for many people, despite the vicissitudes of the past few years," said Hecking. "This is a positive and gives us the feeling that support off the pitch will immediately come if we put in honest work and try everything to win our games. It's a huge bargaining chip which we shouldn't bet on by being sluggish and reluctant in games. We're obliged to provide the goods." The 54-year-old understands the great responsibility that comes with putting the puzzle correctly together.
In detail, Dieter Hecking spoke about…
…his first thoughts: Whenever you are faced with a new challenge, then you are always very motivated, and try to put your own influence on things. At the same time, we all know how difficult this challenge is. HSV have just have a difficult six months. Everyone around the club will have to process what has happened, not only the players. The whole situation is still not sorted. I always compare it to a puzzle. You've got the pieces - now you've got to put them together. We have to approach this with a humble attitude but at the same time, remember that we have the quality. The second year in the 2. Bundesliga is always more difficult compared to the first one after being relegated from the Bundesliga. We have to make the best out of this situation and I am confident that we can it.
…the morale within the team: Due to have a new head coach and seven new players, everything isn’t automatically really good. There are a few reasons as to why last season happened and we will go over this in the next few days. I have spoken a lot with the staff and members of the club and so I am slowly getting a better image of the team. I did not contact the players while they were on holiday and now it is time to chat to all the players.
…the aims for the new season: We are ambitious: I have already said the word ‘promotion’ to the team today and I also said that I didn’t want to hear it again until May. We want to have something to celebrate at the end but it won’t help us at all talking about promotion every day. The team learnt from the second half of last season how important every single game is. One more win and they would have been in the Bundesliga.
…his personal motivation: I have decided to take this patch. I wanted an exciting challenge in which I can influence things. Even though it is in the second division, I have learnt quickly how difficult it will be. Once you have been a coach in the Bundesliga for 13 years, it becomes monotonous. Therefore, HSV is a challenge that I need, to re-invent myself and have new motivation. I understand that people have certain expectations of me. However, I will not be doing this job alone. It will be a big task that, first of all for me to create unity within the team. If we can become one team, we have taken a step forward and can continue on forward.
…the available squad: Currently, as a new head coach, it is important to have a view on each and every player. That will take about five to six weeks to make. That is about all the players; the players who have proven themselves in the past and also the players with potential. It is also time to see what is wrong. Sometimes, players have fitness issues or sometimes players just aren’t in the right condition. In the end, you have to ask the question as to whether the player is ready to take on the challenge at HSV. If that is not the case, then you have to draw your own conclusions.
…further ins and outs: There is always movement during the transfer window. In the Bundesliga, relatively little happens as the players are away on holiday and the squad plans aren’t priority yet. However, there will be constant rumors about players until the 31st August. It may take until then to have a full squad. Nevertheless, we still want to have our final squad as soon as possible.
…the expanding of his coaching staff: Tobi (Tobias Schweinsteiger) will join us tomorrow. I had already contacted him before my first talks with HSV. In the past few years, I have always worked with Dirk Bremser and some other older coaches. They have been excellent to work with but I am not getting any younger either and it’s good to now have coaching staff who are closer to the player’s ages and who could come up with different ideas. Tobi impressed me during our talks. He likes to look outside the box and is knowledgeable about other sports too. It’s important to be open to new things, as well as value your own experiences.
...the standard of 2. Bundesliga: Every year you hear that the second division grows stronger. With teams like Stuttgart, Hannover and Nürnburg and teams like us, there are four teams that have been in the Bundesliga for many years. That makes this league even more interesting. The standard of this league has increased in recent years and yet there have been games which are not to a high level.