Christian Ziege is back in Gladbach – not as a star, but as U17 assistant coach. The return follows a period of mourning and pause. Now the long-time national player talks about the difficult times that lie behind him and the upcoming restart.
He is back in Gladbach after more than 17 years. Christian Ziege, who worked for Borussia as a player, sports director and coach until December 2008, completed his first session at Borussia Park on Wednesday evening – as assistant coach to head coach Denis Hauswald with the club’s U17s.
Football had recently no longer played a major role in the 53-year-old’s life. His wife Pia, to whom he had been married since 1997, died last year after a long and serious illness.
Ziege, who played 72 times for the German national team, said to “Bild”: “After the death of my wife Pia, whom I had previously looked after around the clock, it took me a while until football had the same importance for me as before. Then I thought very simply, I would approach the club and say that I would like to work again in the area in which I know best. I said: If there is an opportunity, join the club I would be happy to come back to help and support him, in whatever form. We spoke a few times in different situations and finally the club asked me whether I could identify with the job as assistant coach of the U17 – and I’m looking forward to it.
He spent his best time as a professional with Bayern. Why return to Borussia now? Ziege: “As a professional, I wasn’t able to do as much in Gladbach because I got injured here and had to stop. What connects me with Borussia above all is that I was given the opportunity to start my second career here. First as a U17 coach, then as a sports director. That time was incredibly fun and I’m still proud of it today. With the changes after relegation in terms of sport and also in terms of approach, the basis of what Borussia is today was created. And I met a lot of people here, a lot of friends, with whom I have a good time.”
Goat was once followed by Max Eberl
In December 2008, he voluntarily resigned as Gladbach’s sports director despite a contract until 2011 – thus clearing the way for Max Eberl in the Bundesliga. Ziege: “Together with Steffen Korell, I immediately brought Max, who was head of youth talent at the time, on board. I always said that this job wasn’t a one-man show, but that we would do it together. But I also said from the start that I wanted to become a football teacher – and that’s how it came about that he took on the job as sports director. I’m pleased with what a career he has had at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, U17 coach Hauswald (35) is happy about the Goat’s return: “As a young coach, I can of course only benefit from it. I’m totally grateful to have the opportunity to have such a personality with so much experience at my side. When I first heard that the possibility existed, I was immediately excited and the first meetings and conversations confirmed that.”
The text was created for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first published in SPORT BILD.
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