First promotion, now securing their Bundesliga status. Head coach Ole Werner already revealed the week before that staying in the league was an even greater success. For the 35-year-old, it was a first Bundesliga season with highs and lows. Werner summed up the 34 matchdays in an interview with WERDER.DE and spoke about the lessons learned over the season, his role during the squad planning and his excitement for the next season.
WERDER.DE: Moin Ole, after the game against Köln it was clear to see you release a lot of tension. A few days on, what do you make of the draw against Köln as the last piece of the puzzle?
Ole Werner: You could firstly notice the tension in the stadium and also within the team. After we hadn’t managed to achieve our objective for a few weeks, it went down to the final stretch of the season. It was a great performance, particularly in the second half, as we mentally stood our ground with a lot of pressure on us. That’s why I was so pleased in the moment, because that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
WERDER.DE: You said that the season would probably not find a place in the club’s history. How about your history as a coach?
Ole Werner: At a first glance, 13th place isn’t very impressive. As a promoted side, however, it is a great performance to not be in any real danger at any point. It was a very intense season considering how the team worked, developed and came together. On the whole, it was definitely one of the greatest achievements of my career as a head coach.
Season objective ✅#werder will remain in the Bundesliga next season ????#SVWKOEpic.twitter.com/ZMftnDab8z
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) May 20, 2023
WERDER.DE: As was the case for many players, it was also your first Bundesliga season. Did you notice the difference?
Ole Werner: The processes we go through are pretty much the same, but the game is somewhat different. Points are harder to come by than they were in the second division. That is just the nature of the league. As a group, you have to deal with more negative experiences, which in turn requires more energy and it becomes more difficult to manage. I think we went about that the right way. In terms of the work itself, the job is the same, however.
WERDER.DE: You already said that this achievement can’t be overstated. What setbacks did you experience?
Ole Werner: Above all, in the second half of the season there were more setbacks than were seen from the outside. Up to the winter break, pretty much all the players available and the games went well for us, and afterwards that was reversed. On average, we no longer had 20 players, but 17 in first team training. That made a difference in the work, the level of training and the preparation. I’m proud of the team that they overcame that and were in a position to win every game, except in Köln and to a certain extent in Frankfurt, too. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to come out on top in more games.
WERDER.DE: In the end, we’ll also look back on some great highlights.
Ole Werner: A great deal. In Dortmund, we gave an exceptional performance. That away game against Hertha showed the strength of this team and the support we have, which came together in a good performance from the boys. The third game that comes to mind is against Wolfsburg. We had just lost against Köln and Union and were only five points above the relegation zone. The team were very solid and showed mental strength in the game.
A lot of players are in a very good period of their careers at the moment.Ole Werner
WERDER.DE: You all also contributed to Niclas Füllkrug becoming an international player. Is that a highlight for you?
Ole Werner: Definitely. Fülle benefitted from it as a player, as did we as a team and a club. Individual players can develop further in a functioning team. He is a good example of that, but there are other personal highlights in the team, too. Romano Schmid and Ilia Gruev became senior national team players and Mitchell Weiser and Marvin Ducksch had great seasons. A lot of players are in a very good period of their careers at the moment. That speaks for how they work and how they can develop in this environment.
Incredible scenes in Bremen ????#werder#SVWKOEpic.twitter.com/dwbnIR9mcQ
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) May 20, 2023
WERDER.DE: On the other hand, there are also things that didn’t necessarily satisfy you.
Ole Werner: As a coach there are always areas in every game that you want to improve on. It’s a process that doesn’t always go in a straight line. We definitely didn’t pick up enough points at home. Part of that can’t be explained and is just how some games go, which can always change. The other part is that we let ourselves lose our shape too often. Against Freiburg, we were perhaps too elated after taking the lead and lost control. Against Bayern, we were too open after it went 1-0. I can think of more examples. In these emotional moments, we have to keep focused and not get overly eager.
WERDER.DE: Due to the negative trend at the end of the season, some fans have an uneasy feeling. Many say that the second year is more difficult for a promoted side. Can you calm their fears?
Ole Werner: I would first be interested to know if that is really the case or just a gut feeling (grins). Every season has its own challenges. The past years haven’t been easy, but we’ve coped with them together. Staff, players and coaches have gained confidence as a result. We can be confident enough to succeed again if we do a good job. There’s no reason for me to doubt that.
WERDER.DE: Last summer was the first time you were able to really help put your team together with transfers. Is this the most intense time that lies ahead for you and, of course, Clemens and Johannes Jahns?
Ole Werner: For those two, certainly (grins). For me as a coach, training and playing is at a higher level. Of course I am involved, we have defined clear position profiles and I also talk with the players, but I get involved at a time when things are prepared. It’s a team process and there is the right division of tasks. In the end, it’s important that the club gets players who fit the ideas that we are trying to get across as a coaching team.
WERDER.DE: Are there players who can further develop your style of play as a team or is it a question of strengthening the positions?
Ole Werner: It’s always about developing the squad as a whole. As a coach, you always want it all: more quality, more depth, more flexibility. In the end, however, this is limited financially, which is why you have to commit to things. For me, it’s important to find players who make us better but also fit Werder and this team in terms of character. Next year, too, a lot will rest on teamwork and then you have to have the right characters in the dressing room. I’m optimistic that we’ll succeed in doing that.
The anticipation for the new season with its different moments and challenges is definitely already there.Ole Werner
WERDER.DE: How much are you looking forward to taking a break for a few weeks now?
Ole Werner: It varies from person to person. I always need a bit of time to be able to switch off, but I will have a week in which I can do so. There will also be a lot of talks about the squad. The anticipation for the new season with its different moments and challenges is definitely already there.
WERDER.DE: What do you need to switch off?
Ole Werner: Good weather (pauses). Just good weather.
WERDER.DE: That shouldn’t be a problem in June. Thanks for the conversation, Ole!
