Following their last game in 2023, SV Werder Bremen’s players can recharge their batteries over the Christmas period. Before head coach Ole Werner departed for a short winter holiday, he responded to our questions in a year-end interview.
Following their last game in 2023, SV Werder Bremen’s players can recharge their batteries over the Christmas period. Before head coach Ole Werner departed for a short winter holiday, he responded to our questions in a year-end interview.
WERDER.DE: Hi, Ole. The football year came to end with the 1-1 draw against Leipzig. How do you look back on it?
Ole Werner: It’s positive that we achieved survival last season and now have the club’s goal in our own hands once again, as is the development in the last few weeks. Nevertheless, it certainly wasn’t a good year – both in terms of the points tally as well as the fluctuation in performances. It was a demanding year with lots of challenges, which is why my conclusion is mixed.
WERDER.DE: This includes the transfer window, during which there was a lot of movement.
Ole Werner: It’s always a challenge at any rate. On the one hand, because we’re financially dependent on player sales as a club and on the other hand because we want to put together a team that is capable of playing good football and achieving success. I think that the boys have showed in the last few weeks that we have exactly that kind of team. However, that shift occurred later on this year, which was very noticeable in the first part of the season.
It’s important for us to improve away from home.Ole Werner
WERDER.DE: Part of the team’s positive development is that they’ve rediscovered their strong home form.
Ole Werner: The bottom line is that a good balance between home and away results would be preferable. Of course we want to make sure that our home ground continues to be a fortress. It’s now important that we step it up away from home since the New Year gets underway with two away games. It’s important for us to improve away from home in order to achieve our goal.
WERDER.DE: You started the year and the season with Jiri Pavlenka in goal, but Michael Zetterer is now the number one. How pleased are you with his development?
Ole Werner: I’m pleased with every individual player’s development. However, the most important thing is how the team develops and how individuals also develop as a consequence. Pavlas did a super job up until his injury, and then Zetti has done well. We’re playing differently to last season as a team because we’re lacking a clear target man. The role Zetti plays in our build-up play says a lot about him. It’s not a decision you like to make because whilst one goalkeeper is starting, there’s another who’s not in the starting eleven and is sat on the bench.
WERDER.DE: You said that 2023 was demanding. Will 2024 be similarly challenging?
Ole Werner: Yes, I think so. We have to prepare ourselves for the most difficult of challenges. I've been here for more than two years now and I've got a good feeling that we've got a good perception of the tasks ahead of us. We have worked well together in these two years to overcome challenges. That's why I'm looking forward to the New Year with optimism. I am aware of our capabilities and the tasks ahead of us, but I believe we are well equipped to tackle these challenges.
