Michael Reschke, the new Sporting Director at VfB since last Friday, on…
…the Bundesliga start next Saturday away to Hertha BSC: "We have a massive task ahead of us in ensuring that we will still be playing Bundesliga football in the 2018/2019 season. There are none of your typical relegation candidates this season. There are just clubs that work very well. That considered, survival in the top-flight won’t be easy. In order to achieve that, we must operate perfectly. Every player must put his ego on the back-burner and make themselves part of the team, to prove successful. Decisive will of course be that the fans get behind us during phases when things are not going so well. We have a young team right now, which needs backing and support."
…the current squad and possible activities before the transfer period ends on August 31st: "It would be helpful to land the odd sensible coup. We are working on a couple of different ideas and trying to improve the squad cleverly. The fact is – the team is talented and the initial situation within the side is good. We have some players with Bundesliga experience and a lot of players with good prospects. That said, we hope to win over one or two more players with experience."
…collaborating with Hannes Wolf: "He is an exceptional trainer, with whom I am currently exchanging opinions with every day. Our first discussions were in the greatest of trust, with mutual respect and some very intensive exchanges. Not only about possible improvements of additions, but more about the current team and surroundings. I am in agreement with him on every issue and every idea behind it. I have the feeling that the chemistry between us is positive and I am very much looking forward to working together with him."
…the reasons behind his decision to join VfB: "The manner in which Wolfgang Dietrich communicated VfB to me, both emotionally as well as objectively, totally impressed me and was ultimately decisive in me deciding to make this move. Aside from the collaboration with Wolfgang Dietrich and Hannes Wolf, there were also strategical issues which appealed to me: for example, the outsourcing of the football department with a strong partner on our side, which makes visions appear realistic. I was also captivated by the images of last season, above all the promotion party. There you got to see the emotion and significance of this club to the people in the region. That really moved me on an emotional level. I consider it a major responsibility to play a part in catering for that feeling with pride."