Herrlich calms German nerves
Monday, August 13, 2007
Article summary
Heiko Herrlich has taken over as Germany coach for the FIFA U-17 World Cup but is speaking cautiously ahead of the finals in Korea Republic.
Article body
Although Paul Schomann guided Germany to fifth place at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, former BV Borussia Dortmund striker Heiko Herrlich will coach the team in Korea Republic.
Schomann thanked
German Football Association sporting director Matthias Sammer decided to turn to the 35-year-old Herrlich after the U17 finals in Belgium, with Schomann taking over the U15s. And the new man was quick to praise his predecessor for taking them this far. "I have to thank Paul Schomann and the team for the work they did and for qualifying," Herrlich said. "Now we have to live up to that and maybe even improve upon what the team showed in Belgium."
Coping with pressure
The last time his nation were in the U17 World Cup was 1999, exiting in the group stage, but in the inaugural 1985 event, West Germany were runners-up. This time around Colombia, Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago await in Group F in Changwon from next Monday, but Herrlich, who has warmed up with a 3-1 defeat by the United States and 2-0 win against Togo, is thinking about more than just results. "Being talented as a footballer is one thing, but using that talent to turn professional and learn to live with the pressure from fans and the media is quite another," he said. "This is something the young players have to learn to cope with, and that a successful career takes a lot of mental capabilities. I enjoy teaching young players that very much."
Kroos talent
There is no shortage of talent in Germany squad, notably playmaker Toni Kroos, already training with the FC Bayern München senior squad and tipped for the top by Ottmar Hitzfeld. "He has incredible potential, no doubt about that," Herrlich said. But we have to make sure he doesn't come under too much pressure, he is still quite young and should be given time to develop." However, there are a couple of notable absentees from the squad who played their part in Belgium, Hertha BSC Berlin forward Marvin Knoll and 1.FC Nürnberg defender Markus Untch.