Norbert Elgert: “There are youth players who already earn 30,000 euros a month” | EUROtoday

Norbert Elgert has been head of the Knappenschmiede at FC Schalke 04 since 1996. The 68-year-old is taken into account one of the influential younger coaches in Germany and has formed the expertise growth of his membership for many years. Numerous future nationwide and high gamers have been educated beneath Elgert, together with Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, Benedikt Höwedes, Julian Draxler, Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka.

Elgert stands for a transparent perspective, closeness to the gamers and a holistic method during which character, self-discipline and character are simply as necessary as sporting high quality. A dialog.

Ask: Mr. Elgert, do you have got an concept of ​​what number of gamers you have got educated are at present enjoying in skilled soccer?

Norbert Elgert: I maintain lists of them in keeping with the motto: The head forgets, paper does not. There are at present round 80 gamers enjoying within the high three leagues in Germany and overseas. During the 30 years that I’ve been on this function, round 150 gamers have made the leap into skilled soccer. We do not wish to reward ourselves, however the Knappenschmiede success story is without doubt one of the biggest in world soccer.

Ask: Which participant shocked you probably the most in his growth?

Elgert: I’d like to say Joël Matip, who was gifted however not above common. He labored his method to the highest step-by-step by means of the essential virtues that I regularly propagate. It confirmed me as soon as once more: expertise is just the place to begin, it solely places you within the door to skilled soccer. Only willingness to make an effort, perspective, perseverance, arduous work and resilience over a really lengthy time period can maybe get you thru this door.

Ask: Which participant did you must grind probably the most?

Elgert: In this context, Malick Thiaw’s path might be probably the most thrilling. He all the time performed in defensive midfield as much as the U19 degree. He and his father additionally thought it was the right place for him as a result of he must be on the ball so much. After six months, my teaching group and I spotted that central protection could possibly be rather more appropriate for him. I informed him: “Malick, you want to be a professional.” He mentioned, “Sure, Coach!” – “Your chances would increase significantly if you tried out as a central defender.”

Ask: The response?

Elgert: For God’s sake (laughs). Dad wasn’t joyful in any respect. I used to be in a position to persuade each of them to no less than strive it out as soon as. And it labored splendidly from the primary minute. Today he’s a German nationwide participant within the place and may be pleased with his path.

Ask: Do you retain in a variety of contact along with your former protégés?

Elgert: Yes, however I do not wish to bask within the boys’ reputation and consistently annoy them. I’ll let you already know if there’s something particular. For instance, I spoke to Manuel Neuer on the cellphone and wrote to him when he had his final critical harm to encourage him. But additionally Vitalie Becker, for instance, who not too long ago scored his first aim for our skilled group.

Ask: How do you put together the gamers mentally for the massive process at Schalke?

Elgert: It’s all related, so I’d wish to broaden on {that a} bit. On the one hand, to be gifted you want good method, the ball has to obey you and your toes. Secondly, an excellent understanding of the sport. Because the sport is getting sooner and sooner, you must learn and perceive the sport even higher and sooner, because the house, opponent and time pressures have gotten ever larger. Third, good athleticism. You should be in high form, you want power and, above all, tempo and pace. We have already talked in regards to the primary virtues, which can also be a degree. Then comes the psychological power you talked about. For me which means being good when it counts. And we’re somewhat pleased with that: the truth that the gamers from the Knappenschmiede have been normally extra prepared for the Veltins Arena than gamers who got here to the professionals from one other membership.

Ask: How do you try this?

Elgert: There are gamers who’ve this skill proper from the beginning, for instance Julian Draxler, Max Meyer, Sead Kolasinac. They did not take into consideration this backdrop or this stress in any respect. Others want extra assist. And that’s why I make a transparent distinction between the phrases “trainer” and “coach”. I coach individuals – and practice soccer with them. Mental coaching is about physique language, having a constructive psychological image and eliminating destructive ideas. If I begin considering and doubting myself on the pitch, I’ve already misplaced. And most significantly: the way to discuss to your self. My credo is: If nobody speaks positively to you, then please do it your self.

Ask: It is commonly mentioned that the Elgert School could be very arduous…

Elgert: Not arduous, however constant. The boys have change into extra delicate and I’ve tailored to that. When I give suggestions, I first should open individuals up by figuring out their strengths. Then you’ll be able to speak about weaknesses that you simply undoubtedly want to enhance. I inform the boys the issues they should hear, not the issues they wish to hear. There’s no wishy-washy perspective, however all the time respectful and by no means condescending. Today, trainers clarify much more than earlier than.

Ask: How particular was your considered quitting in 2026? That’s what you introduced till Schalke proudly introduced on the normal assembly that they’d proceed till 2027.

Elgert: That was very particular, in any other case I would not have put it into the world. There have been a number of elements why I continued: Firstly, my household was very a lot in favor of it and was very supportive of my concept. On the opposite hand, the membership administration: Frank Baumann, a stroke of luck for Schalke, can also be utterly behind me. But crucially: my gamers, who nonetheless belief me regardless of the massive age distinction. And: Players additionally come to us as a result of I’m nonetheless there.

Ask: What do you imply?

Elgert: That there are gamers who at the moment are coming to our youth ranks or staying with us, who’ve made it a situation that I keep. Despite all my modesty, I’m somewhat pleased with it. The fireplace in me nonetheless burns fiercely.

Ask: Will it lastly finish in summer season 2027?

Elgert: I will not set a deadline like that once more anytime quickly.

Ask: What do you propose to do after your teaching profession?

Elgert: I feel that I’m very within the areas of teaching, mentoring and expertise administration. I wish to move this on as a sort of advisor. And if we would like one another, we would be joyful to proceed right here.

Ask: How is your interplay with head coach Miron Muslic?

Elgert: Good, respectful and appreciative from the beginning. I feel Miron is a extremely good coach as a result of – we’re again on the topic – he is not only a coach, but additionally a coach. He has a transparent concept of ​​the sport, nice assertiveness, and perspective is non-negotiable for him, similar to it’s for me. But he additionally offers his boys a loving hug. I see a variety of parallels between him and me.

Ask: What do you suppose he can do in his profession?

Elgert: He is on a extremely good path and will definitely arouse the curiosity of different golf equipment. But I feel it makes a variety of sense for him to remain right here for a couple of extra years. Because: Schalke can also be a giant membership. I all the time inform my gamers: You do not have to go away right here shortly. We are nonetheless one of many greatest golf equipment on the earth.

Ask: Was your contact with the pinnacle coaches all the time good?

Elgert: Different. But that is not all the time essential for me.

Ask: To what extent?

Elgert: The head coach has to win video games. I’m a specialist in coaching to change into knowledgeable. I’ve been specializing in this for 30 years. It is of the utmost significance to me that folks totally belief me, my expertise and my experience.

Ask: It is commonly mentioned to be about the suitable time for the expertise to make the leap to the professionals.

Elgert: This is what I imply: The head coaches haven’t any method of figuring out that. And after all there have been different opinions. I do know what you are getting at.

Ask: Because of Assan Ouédraogo, it ought to have crunched.

Elgert: At the time I mentioned: “Let me have him here for a few more months because he’s not quite ready yet!” Unfortunately, that turned out to be extraordinarily true.

Ask: He was pulled up after which needed to take care of a variety of accidents.

Elgert: I’d have a lot most well-liked it to be completely different, in any other case I would not be sincere with the gamers. It was comparable with Zaid Tchibara, and I additionally mentioned that he could be higher off staying with me for an additional two months. He additionally shortly suffered a critical harm whereas enjoying for the professionals. But I wish to make one factor clear.

Ask: Please.

Elgert: I additionally proactively informed many gamers: The time has come! With Leroy Sané, for instance, who was additionally promoted early, I didn’t veto something. When it got here to Taylan Bulut, I even really helpful that he be included within the skilled squad early on. I simply anticipate individuals to belief me.

Ask: How do you react if you find yourself outvoted – as was the case with Ouédraogo?

Elgert: It’s not about me, it is simply in regards to the gamers and their future. You have to know, I do not work for my private outcomes, however for individuals. And the gamers should be ready in order that they’ll play a constructive function with the professionals. Pulling up too early shortens the coaching time. Only a powerful basis supplies the mandatory stability.

Ask: Has the battle for expertise change into tougher in recent times?

Elgert: That’s how it’s, sure. There are youth gamers who earn 30,000 euros or extra a month. We do not even come near maintaining with that. If you are not completely clear-headed, cash kills motivation. Many youth academies are outfitted with the best services. That’s okay, though I feel perspective undoubtedly beats furnishings and an excessive amount of consolation. It’s not simple to remain hungry and grasping in paradise. Other golf equipment now pay enormous sums of cash for advisors and oldsters. We not too long ago had gamers who determined towards us. When I heard the place he was shifting to as a substitute, I knew immediately. When making choices like this, it’s typically forgotten that gamers listed below are more likely to change into professionals.

Ask: Finally: Your greatest anecdote from 30 years as a Schalke grinder.

Elgert: In 2015 we performed the ultimate of the A-Junior championship towards Hoffenheim. In entrance of 12,500 spectators in Wattenscheid. The recreation of the 12 months for us. Leroy Sané was already a part of the skilled group, but additionally with us once in a while. The skilled season was over and I actually wished to subject Leroy. So I’ve Roberto Di Matteo (then head coach; d. Red.) known as the day earlier than and requested him if he had something towards it. After an extended dialogue he mentioned: “But only half time!” So when Leroy wasn’t within the beginning line-up, I used to be known as loopy. Seen from the skin: completely proper. After 5 minutes we fell behind – after which immediately I did not care. I known as out to Leroy, “Warm up!” A murmur went by means of the stadium. After 35 minutes I substituted him. In the top we received 3-1.

Ask: What was Di Matteo’s response?

Elgert: There have been none. He was fired by these in cost on the day of our recreation.

The textual content was created for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first revealed in SPORT BILD.