60 years of experience in lockstep – generations of soccer coaches learned their trade from the Uhlig twins from Bad Deutsch-Altenburg (Bruck an der Leitha district). Johannes, sports scientist and educator at the University of Vienna, does the math: “We recently had our 30th anniversary as a trainer educator and we added up that a good 10,000 trainers went through our courses.”
And there are 30 more: the course at the Lindabrunn Sports School (Baden district) is mostly still active professional footballers to acquire the UEFA B license. This is the basis for a future as a coach after the time as a footballer.
Johannes and Manfred practice teaching of a different kind: captivating, lively, constantly in motion. Manfred, also a sports scientist and educator at the Federal Sports Academy, emphasizes: “Enjoyment and fun in the matter, enthusiasm – that is contagious and accelerates and improves learning processes.”
Gemini plan to keep going for many years to come
Teaching is learned during the practical exercises – and not just with football. This is also how the tennis racket is used. Professionals like ex-national players Veli Kavlak or Deni Alar do basic work for children’s training.
For the two instructors, however, there is also a private life apart from football, at least in fragments: “The conversation keeps moving towards football, but we also have other interests, such as jazz, literature or traveling. Thank goodness there is also something else, ”smiles Manfred Uhlig.
But in the end it is the ball that almost everything revolves around the twin brothers, confirms Johannes Uhlig. And it should stay that way for longer. “As long as I still enjoy it and as long as I get to the people and they say: Johannes Uhlig, what he does, Manfred Uhlig, what he does, that’s good for me – as long as we will continue. With the same enthusiasm and energy. Hopefully for a long time. “
