With two goals, Sebastian Kerk (27) is currently the “top scorer” at Hannover 96. Before returning to the ex-club Nuremberg, he talks about fatherhood, his beard and Freiburg’s cult coach Christian Streich.
Kerk about:
► Kerko or Kerki? “The nickname changes depending on who addresses me. The coaches tend to say Kerko because Lars Barlemann knew me from the time we were together in Freiburg, the Kerki team. But both are okay for me. “
► The return to Nuremberg. “I was at the club for four and a half years until 2020, had a very good time, excellent team colleagues. I am still in contact with Sörensen, Handwerker, Dovedan, Valentini and Mathenia. It goes without saying that there will be an end at some point. But I think back to Nuremberg positively. On Saturday my family will be in the stadium, I had to organize seven tickets. Maybe there will be a few more. “
► His young family happiness. “My daughter Elea Kaia is now three months old and is slowly becoming more receptive. In the beginning you only have a minor role as a father. But now it’s really fun, she learns from day to day. “
► The night shifts. “Fortunately, my wife Eva will take care of it. But during the day I also like to take it off her for a few hours. But the little one is really a very, very dear child, that works great. A child changes a lot. Suddenly completely different things become important. It is now a good balance to football, and it gives me a bit of serenity and lightness personally. I can switch off quite well there. “
► The duels on the tennis court. “My wife does fitness and, like me, she also plays tennis. She even had classes for years. We also play now and then. There’s always a train in there. Most of the time the games end prematurely – because one of us gets angry (laughs). We both have this ambition – even when you don’t get angry, we give full throttle. “
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► His left foot. “I always have been. In the past, my first instinct was always left. But my mother always put things into my right hand. Now it’s like this: foot on the left, hand on the right. “
► The situation as a top scorer. “My aim is to score goals and provide assists. Especially when, like in Kiel, I play almost a second tip. But the team’s success is paramount. If ten others score the goals, that’s fine with me too. “
► The descent with Osnabrück. “I got a lot of trust and knew about my position in the team. I was confident and able to perform well. It still hurts me that it wasn’t enough to keep the league in the end. “
► His life in Northern Germany. “The only thing I really miss from my Swabian homeland are cheese spaetzle. But the air is a little fresher up here, so it’s easier to play football. Sun and 25 degrees are not so ideal for my main type (laughs). “
► The Europa League. “I did very well in Freiburg’s youth, I also turned professional there – and at 19 I already played the Europa League. It also takes a bit of luck and the right sponsors at the right time. “
► Freiburg trainer Christian Streich. “He was my first professional trainer and has already lit a bit of fire under my bum. In retrospect, I am grateful for this experience. Back then, as a young player, I thought a little differently. But: If a trainer deals with you, he thinks you are good and wants to make you better. If he doesn’t speak to you at all, it’s not a good sign. Streich has already shown me where to go from time to time. “
► Teammate Mike Frantz. “We already played together in Freiburg, he was also in Nuremberg before that. I called him before my two changes. He already helped me there. “
► His beard. “He stays tuned. It’s already significantly shorter. That’s because he scratched my daughter a bit. When I’m at the hairdresser’s, I always have the weeds weed at the same time. “
► The Bundesliga. “That’s already my goal. I played a few games there and I want to go back there. But that is only possible through performance and consistency. “