Andy, originally, today should have marked the beginning of your next internship-phase at VfB, which you are undertaking as part of your education to become a football-tutor. Instead, yesterday you presided over training with the professional team.
Andreas Hinkel: "Sporting director Michael Reschke asked me if I could take over as coach of the professional team transitionally, until the club can sign a new head-coach. For me, it was self-evident that I would help VfB in this situation."
As a player, you were a member of the 'Jungen Wilden' (young wild ones) generation, you became a German international at VfB and, at the end of your active playing days, you began your coaching career here too. Is it a very special feeling for you to now also become head coach of the professional team?
Andreas Hinkel: "VfB is my club – I made it as a pro here! To now take charge of the Bundesliga team – albeit in a difficult situation and for a limited amount of time – is naturally very special – no question. However, my personal situation is completely incidental. The decisive factor is that VfB quickly get back on track."
How does your personal planning for the next few days look?
Andreas Hinkel: "For the time being, my complete focus is on the professional team. Everything else takes a back-seat. There are no problems with my football-tutor apprenticeship. As part of my apprenticeship, over the next couple of weeks I would have been here anyway."
Is it your future goal to land in the Bundesliga as a head-coach?
Andreas Hinkel: "That’s not something I am concerning myself with right now. Top priority at the moment is VfB! Priority number two is becoming a football-tutor. We’ll just have to wait and see about everything else."