Felix Wiedwald (32) was with Werder Bremen from 1999 to 2011 and made the leap from youth player to professional. After his first farewell, he returned in 2015, became Werder’s regular goalkeeper and played 59 Bundesliga games until 2017.
On Sunday he will meet again in the Weser Stadium as Sandhausen’s No. 2.
In the BILD interview, Wiedwald talks about the duel, his love for Werder and his farewell in 2017.
BILD: Mr. Wiedwald, you have been in Sandhausen since January. How are you doing?
Wiedwald: “Pretty good. We strengthened in winter, are more stable, concede fewer goals and are very efficient with the exception of the last game. The trainer said: ‘We’ve been doing well since you’ve been here’ (laughs).”
BILD: How did the transfer come about?
Wiedwald: “There was contact as early as September. Dennis Diekmeier kept me up to date on what it looks like, passed on my number. Then in January things went fast. Because I already knew a few in the team and the region is very beautiful, I thought: I’ll do that!”
BILD: Does Dennis Diekmeier receive a consultant’s fee?
Wiedwald: “No no. He earned enough at HSV…”
BILD: You have four players with a Werder past in the team. How much is Werder an issue in the dressing room?
Wiedwald: “The region does, the club less. But of course let’s talk about old times. We have all experienced a lot.”
BILD: How do you intend to trip Werder up?
Wiedwald: “Our standards are dangerous. Thanks to our players, who are strong in the air, we have power up front. And because we are stable at the back, one goal is often enough for us up front.”
BILD: At Werder, three regular defensive players, including Captain Toprak, are out. How hopeful does this give you?
Wiedwald: “At the beginning of the season you could see how much Werder lacked stability without Toprak. In any case, we are not afraid, we sense our chance.”
BILD: Could it be that Werder underestimated little Sandhausen?
Wiedwald: “That is possible. Everything is smaller here. I haven’t even seen a reporter at practice. It may well be that you underestimate such a club a little.”
BILD: How did you experience the pressure in Bremen?
Wiedwald: “It was difficult because all my family and friends were rooted in Bremen. After all, Werder was always and everywhere in my life an issue. But I’ve always managed to deal with it quite well.”
BILD: What do you think of first?
Wiedwald: “The best moment was when we secured relegation against Frankfurt on the last day of the game in 2016. I won’t forget that. It was always my dream to be Werder’s No. 1. It fills me with pride that I was able to make this dream come true.”
BILD: How close are you to it now?
Wiedwald: “My heart is still there and I even wore the Werder jersey again last year. Even if it was just that of the traditional team.”
BILD: In the summer you kept fit with the Werder U23s. Have you toyed with a signature?
Wiedwald: “Honestly yes. I wanted to give the impression that I’m fit and that they can involve me at any time. But that was not possible at the time.”
BILD: You left Bremen in 2017 after the then coach Alexander Nouri had signed a new goalkeeper in Jiri Pavlenka. Do you regret today that you didn’t take up the competition?
Wiedwald: “Yes, the thoughts came afterwards. Especially since I’ve seen how fast things can go in football. Only a few months later, the coach was replaced. But I felt no support and had a good offer from Leeds. I wouldn’t want to miss the experience either.”
BILD: Sandhausen is the fifth club since you left. You have become a migratory bird…
Wiedwald: “Yes, my wife wasn’t always enthusiastic about it. As long as my children are not yet in school, I would even go abroad again. I don’t have that financial pressure anymore, I’ve always been careful with my money.”
BILD: How close are your ties to Werder?
Wiedwald: “I follow the games and am still in contact with Kiki Vander and Klaus Filbry. My friends are also going to the Weser Stadium. Werder will always be a part of me.”
BILD: You passed an exam as a property manager. Why?
Wiedwald: “I already look after my own properties and can imagine expanding this later.”
BILD: Will Werder be promoted?
Wiedwald: “If Werder is spared major worries, then by all means. Werder simply belongs in the 1st league. I’ll be happy if that works out and we hold the class with Sandhausen.”
