Barisic promises young SCR fans: ‘We’ll win the next derby’

“Children’s mouths tell the truth” – under this motto, Rapid managing director Steffen Hofmann and coach Zoran Barisic had to listen to many a tricky question on Friday in the press room of the Allianz Stadium.

The Hütteldorfer had invited to a “children’s press conference” before the LASK game (Sunday, from 2:30 p.m. in the LIVE ticker >>>), and the around 20 “Greenies” present did not miss it, the currently precarious one to address the sporting situation.

For example, the question arose as to when Rapid would finally defeat Austria again. “We’ll win the next derby,” promised Barisic.

How long Rapid has to wait for the next championship title was also discussed. Hofmann exclaimed: “We want that every year, but you have to say that there are clubs that are a bit further than us at the moment and we have to be a little patient. But we will work hard to be in the next ones years – maybe not next year, but the year after next or in three years – to be able to become champions again.”

Steffen Hofmann and the discussion about the football god

Among the little guests was Hofmann’s eleven-year-old son Moritz, who turned to his father: “Do you like it when you’re called football god?” Hofmann senior replied: “It’s a great award and I’m very happy, I’m not resisting it.” Postscript: “Your pocket money is looking bad for the next few weeks.”

Another child’s question went in a similar direction. “My father and I are arguing who is the football god – I say Hofmann, he Modric. Who is right?” The German smiled. “Children always tell the truth.”

It was also learned that Barisic usually does not eat anything immediately after a game. “Because I’ve lost my appetite.” If so, then after defeats he prefers “sweets, chocolate. If we win, I don’t need anything, then I’m happy enough.”

Barisic also commented on the level of salary for players and coaches (“Far too little”) and on his reaction to serious mistakes by his kickers. “I try to stay positive and cheer up the players. It’s not good when a coach jumps around off the pitch like Rumpelstiltskin and scolds the players.”