Interview
Lars Ricken: "We want this performance culture"
Lars Ricken on his impressions from the training camp:
"We always talk about performance culture and readiness to perform. That's what we're seeing here right now. Every player is motivated, the lads want to be successful, they're all stepping on the gas. The new signings mean we have a competitive situation where there is a fight for places. I wanted this performance culture, the club wanted it, Nuri wanted it and ultimately the players wanted it too. This is the only way we will improve."
…the first weeks in his new position:
"Very turbulent. In Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, we lost two role models who have embodied performance for years. Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen were two absolutely quality players too. Then our coach decided that he did not wish to continue. That meant that a new coach arrived with his entire coaching staff. We also have a new constellation in terms of our sporting leadership with Sebastian Kehl, Sven Mislintat and me. There has been a lot to do and the main focus during this period has been on squad planning. The transfers that we have completed required a lot of time. That was very challenging but we're a good team and it whets the appetite for more."
…Nuri Sahin's work:
"I've already said before that because of his CV, he is not a normal 35-year-old. On our training ground we have an absolute character who exemplifies what is necessary in order to be successful. He spends every free minute with the players, talks with his support team, the athletics coaches and the doctors. They not only prepare the training and matches but also reflect an enormous amount – sometimes until late into the night. On the pitch, he is very demanding, loud and dominant. He issues corrections time and time again, but also praises a great deal. It is also important to be very fair and respectful towards the players. He gives all the players the possibility to show their performance potential and to fulfil it. He is building up a climate of trust, which at the same time serves as an obligation for the players to get themselves into the best-possible shape. I'm extremely satisfied with his work."
...the transfer window:
"I'm very satisfied because we achieved all of our Number 1 transfer objectives in the different positions. We had already defined Waldemar Anton, Pascal Groß and Serhou Guirassy as our transfer targets several months ago. A new coach, Nuri, has arrived in the meantime and when he heard about our plans, he agreed too. Also in the case of Yan Couto, we're all in agreement that we've really invested in quality. We had our sights set on all four players and I'm extremely pleased that we were also able to get all four of them."
…the youth players:
"It is not a matter to be taken for granted that we currently have four U19 players in our squad in Kjell Wätjen, who has already played, Paris Brunner, Cole Campbell and now Almugera Kabar as well. After we released Tom Rothe, we decided that we would not only allow him to travel to the match but that he would also stay with us too. It is of course a courageous decision, a courageous solution, but I think we have to be prepared to give the lads this opportunity with us. In Filippo Mane, we also have another central defender who has only just come up from the U19s."
…the season objectives:
"Theoretically, there is a relatively large number of possibilities with the German Championship, the DFB-Pokal and of course the Club World Cup and the Champions League too. A few weeks ago, we were in the final. This is my first transfer window. Why did all those players come to BVB? Because it is an amazing club of course, because they think it's brilliant to play for Borussia Dortmund in front of more than 80,000 spectators at our stadium. But in the end they also came to Borussia Dortmund because they wanted to compete for titles. And for the players who are already here, it's the same too. We don't only want to compete for titles, but ultimately we also of course want to win one. That's our attitude. I cannot promise a title, but I also don't have to rule one out."
…the competition in the Bundesliga:
"We have perhaps the most exciting league in Europe at the moment. Bayern Munich have invested a lot once again. Leverkusen did a good job of keeping their squad together and have also brought in one or two reinforcements. Nobody there is under the assumption that they will no longer be competing at the top. Leipzig also clearly have their own ambition to play at the top and win titles. Stuttgart also finished above us, that will be another tough battle again. As the team that finished fifth in the league, we are also to some degree the challenger. Ultimately, of course, we want to bring home a title. We've come close twice now with the Bundesliga and the Champions League, and we now of course want to take the next step."
Transcribed by Christina Reinke