Cologne’s long-time goalkeeper Timo Horn talks about his career, the current situation, his plans and why he recently lacked appreciation in the kicker interview.
kicker: Wednesday morning, shortly after ten, you come to the meeting point in your training outfit. How is Timo Horn currently staying fit?
Horn: Above all, I want to be ready if the worst comes to the worst. We train five times a week and the intensity is very high. If something comes up, I want to be in a position where I can jump right in. I do strength and running units, but also special goalkeeper training, which I am now completing with Michael Kraft at Cologne Viktoria. Everything is covered. I previously worked there with Alex Bade before he accepted the offer from Saudi Arabia. I am very grateful to both of them for working so intensively with me and keeping me on such good terms.
Keyword Saudi Arabia. Because of the popularity of galloping, is this more interesting for the horse racing stable owner Timo Horn or also for the footballer?
They will bring in more and more players in the coming years and, in my opinion, no professional can be blamed for taking up such an offer. Basically, I’m open to everything. But I also became a father four months ago and then you start thinking about what’s best for the family. It’s a matter that would have to be weighed up if something came up. As of today it’s not interesting. But I wouldn’t rule it out in principle.
When it comes to running, Horn is fitter than ever
Jonas Hector completed a triathlon last weekend. Isn’t that for you?
When it comes to running, I’m probably as fit as ever (laughs). Seriously, it’s not for me. Jonas has always been interested in this, also through his acquaintance with Jan Frodeno, the 2008 Olympic triathlon champion. For me that would probably be out of the question. But Jonas was always a talented runner and was in very good physical condition.
Back to everyday life: Are there moments when you feel frustrated?
Not frustration. I hope the situation changes again. That I can finally show what I’m capable of. I’m fit and healthy, at 30 I’m in my prime as a goalkeeper, and – thank God – I’ve rarely been injured. I feel good. And that’s why my first goal is to attack again, to play football again. That’s why I hope that the situation changes as quickly as possible.
Information about TImo Horn Timo Horn was born on May 12, 1993 in Cologne. At the age of nine, after three years at SC Rondorf, he joined 1. FC Köln. He celebrated his professional debut under coach Holger Stanislawski on the first matchday of the second division. Season 2012/13 with a 0-1 draw in Braunschweig Horn played in the Bundesliga for the first time under coach Peter Stöger on matchday 1 of 2014/15 in a 0-0 draw against HSV. At his official farewell on May 27, 2023, Timo Horn looked back on 329 competitive games for FC back Horn covered the entire range at Effzeh: 201 times in the Bundesliga, 98 times in the 2nd league, 22 times in the DFB Cup, six times in the Europa League and 29 times in the Regionalliga West Seinen His last appearance for FC was on July 30, 2022 in the DFB Cup in a 3-4 penalty shootout win against third division club Regensburg. From the U15 to U21 level, he played 33 international matches for the DFB youth team. In 2016, as a regular goalkeeper, he won Olympic silver at the Games in Rio – in the final, Germany lost to Brazil 4-5 on penalties in the Maracana. In the kicker rankings, Horn was ranked in the international class three times (winter 2015/16 and 2016/17 as well as in summer 2017)
Where?
I played for FC for 21 years, almost ten years as number one. That’s why it should be a task that challenges you again and that gives you motivation. It should be something of caliber that you can fully identify with. Which suits this career after leaving 1. FC Köln.
What do you as a person get out of this situation?
The last year and a half have not always been easy, you have to admit that openly. I think I didn’t let it show as much as I could. No matter whether in daily training or in dealing with teammates. But for you personally, it was a big burden not to be able to play anymore and have to fall back in line. The current situation is completely new, one I have never found myself in before. Looking for a new employer is a new challenge that I’m trying to take on as best I can. Above all, my family helps me, they support me and give me every support.
Do you mentally pack your bag before games?
I wouldn’t describe it that way. But of course I still follow FC.
I was a team player in the situation. And I definitely don’t regret that.
Timo Horn on the permanent replacement by Marvin Schwäbe
But not in the stadium?
No, not that yet. I didn’t want to expose myself to the questions that were sure to come. I watch it relaxing at home on the couch. But of course, I’m following it closely and am also in contact and exchanging ideas with the boys.
You mentioned that you suffered few injuries. In the end it was one too many and cost you your job in goal. After the decision for Marvin Schwäbe, you behaved very calmly and in solidarity with the club. Would you possibly fight on a different level today?
That would have been the last thing I would have wanted to be accused of. There was no alternative to going full throttle every day in training and bringing a good atmosphere into the dressing room. A goalkeeper is always a loner somewhere. But in the situation I was a team player. And I definitely don’t regret that.
The difficulty of finding a good number two
Did you often have to clench your fist in your pocket?
Sometimes. If you’re from Cologne and you don’t run towards the center circle in the stadium but towards the substitutes’ bench, then these are really tough moments. During the week it was easy to ignore it. But it’s not easy on the weekend because I’ve been used to it differently all these years.
After your departure, FC struggled to find a number two. How did you observe this?
Not just Cologne, many clubs have struggled with this. You have to find someone who is willing to take on this role. Not every goalkeeper wants that and that’s why I ultimately decided that I didn’t want that anymore. Although I am from Cologne and remain closely connected to the club. I clearly rejected this from the management because I realized what it was doing to me as a person, that it would simply have been too big of a challenge to do this any longer over the course of a year and a half. In this respect, I can well understand that it is not so easy to be satisfied with this situation.
kicker reporter Frank Lußem (left) in conversation with Timo Horn. kicker
Do you see a risk that your status will take longer and you may miss developments in the game?
They won’t make me another goalkeeper, that’s completely clear. On the other hand, I always accepted the things my coach asked of me and tried to implement them. Otherwise I wouldn’t have played under different coaches over a decade and prevailed. I think this adaptability is one of my great strengths. I can bring a lot to every team, a lot of experience with promotions, relegations and international games. Therefore, I have a wealth of experience and can help any team.
Your former coach Andreas Menger, who now works at Hertha, once said that you were one of the best goalkeepers he worked with. Asked through the flower: Isn’t Berlin a beautiful city?
(laughs)… I’m in contact with Andy. Our relationship went far beyond sports and the club. But no request came from there. Let’s see what’s next. We’ll see what happens.
Interest from abroad
You are without a club and can also sign outside the transfer period. What does it take to make you say, ‘That sounds interesting!’?
Not that much at all. There were two or three offers from abroad that I rejected. Simply because it would have been difficult for me to find my motivation given the requests at hand. But, as I said, I’m basically open to everything.
What would your new employer expect?
I’m easy-going and ready to complete a goalkeeping team, show myself in training and assert myself. It should be a nice task that I can say that I am 100 percent behind.
If you have the status that I had, then it’s clear that such developments do something to you.
Timo Horn about the end in Cologne
Is only the Bundesliga an option?
No, there are also interesting, ambitious second division teams. I’ve proven that you can move up with me. I am a realist. After a year and a half of not playing, it’s not like you can choose. Although I personally believe that I would quickly find my rhythm again. I stood in goal long enough for that. But this practice was missing, I can see how the clubs think about it.
When you look back on that time. Did everything go correctly from your point of view?
I’m not the type of person to follow suit. But it’s true that I’ve lost a bit of appreciation. If you have the status that I had, then it’s clear that such developments do something to you. And then you don’t always feel 100 percent well treated. But I think that was also clear to the coaching staff. They tried the best they could, and they always tried to support me in terms of communication. But it goes without saying that something is always missing.
2023-09-07 10:14:14
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