If not now then when?
Günther Gorenzel (50) experienced what seemed to be the perfect summer: the sports director was able to win nine newcomers for the lions. The prerequisites for the big goal, promotion to the second division, have never been so good.
BILD: It seems like everything went like clockwork this summer…
Gunther Gorenzel: “In fact, we didn’t turn down any of our dream players. The interaction between everyone, i.e. trainers, scouting, shareholders, executive committee, financial director, was just perfect. It was more harmonious than ever before.”
BILD: What is the concept of the new lions?
Gorenzel: “We want to play ambitious football, the goals here are clear to everyone. But you will deliberately not hear the word with an A from me, it will not be pronounced until the end of the season, because no one has achieved goals by just talking.”
BILD: With fitness trainer Jörg Mikoleit you brought in a veteran…
Gorenzel: “An absolute professional. But it’s a fallacy to think that just because there’s a good new fitness coach, players are automatically fitter. The interaction between coach, fitness expert and the players has to be right and go hand in hand.”
BILD: Which lion has what it takes to surprise everyone this season?
Gorenzel: “The team. It would be unfair to single out one now. We have good players in all positions, we have a broad squad and many different types of players. A lot is expected of us this year, but that’s also a compliment to our work in the run-up.”
BILD: You are rather cool, analytical and are considered ‘the voice of reason’, coach Michael Köllner is considered a people catcher…
Gorenzel: (laughs): “. I try to balance one or the other with a cool head, experience and the necessary distance. You see, it is precisely this supplement that makes it so special. I have to speak differently to advisors than Michael does to players. He does it perfectly, can build trust in a very short time.”
BILD: 1860 has now finished fourth twice in a row…
Gorenzel: “So it’s clear that we had to change something. It needed new impetus. Last season we relied on second division players, among other things, so the salary structure was different then. Now we have positioned ourselves more broadly and got the potential second division players from the third division.”
BILD: Three heavyweights have left the league in Kaiserslautern, Magdeburg and Braunschweig, who have been promoted to the second division. Will this be the supposedly easiest season to climb?
Gorenzel: “No. Six or seven teams are at eye level. We have to be consistent from the start to be up there.”
BILD: You’ve been back with the lions for five years now. How long do you give yourself for the rise?
Gorenzel (laughs): “Hamburger SV has been trying for five years. All in all, I’ve been at 1860 for ten years, nothing can surprise me anymore. I have a heart rate of 60 on the bench during the game. No joke. The years have taught me that with too many emotions you miss a lot of important things. Seriously: As long as I have the feeling that I can make a difference here and shape things, I’ll stay. But it’s possible that my wife (Tanja, ed.) will veto it if it doesn’t turn out this season again.”
BILD: How are you planning for November and where does 1860 have to be so that you can go into the long break with peace of mind?
Gorenzel: “Simple: within striking distance of a promotion place. At most with a deficit that can be made up with a few games. I see the long break due to the World Cup as an opportunity, you can make corrections in terms of training. It will also be new territory for all teams. We have invitations from abroad to take part in a tournament, including with teams from Austria and the Italian Serie A. But nothing has been decided yet.”
BILD: What dream will you fulfill if you finally get promoted?
Gorenzel: “A long vacation. My wife would like to travel far away. But I like being at home because I’m traveling all season. In addition, we live at the Wortersee (Austria, d. Red), where others go on vacation. In the end I’ll probably have to go back to work. Whereby, with promotion, all the players who have now decided for us, despite offers from the second division, can prove that they can do it too.