Bundesliga: Horst Steffen Secures His Man – Raphael Duarte Joins as Co-Trainer
Werder Bremen grants Steffen's desire, appointing Duarte as the club's joint coach. - Granting Steffens' Desire: Achievement in Sight
Werder Bremen's new boss, Horst Steffen (56), has bagged his preferred assistant coach. Raphael Duarte, with whom Steffen has enjoyed a successful partnership at second-division side, SV Elversberg, will join the Bundesliga squad.
In a club statement, sports director Clemens Fritz expressed elation, stating, "Raphael was Horst Steffen's top pick. They click amazingly and trust each other immensely in Elversberg, and we're thrilled that we've finally worked out an agreement with Elversberg."
Steffen took charge of Werder Bremen two weeks ago as Ole Werner's successor. The 29-year-old Luxembourg native Duarte has served as co-trainer to Steffen at Elversberg since February 1, 2022.
- Horst Steffen
- SV Werder Bremen
- Bundesliga
- Bremen
- SV Elversberg
- Elversberg
career trajectory
Duarte's meteoric climb up the coaching ranks, particularly his collaborations with Horst Steffen, highlight an impressive coaching journey:
Early Days
Duarte began his coaching career in Luxembourg's Ehrenpromotion league with Canach. He also found his footing as an assistant coach at AS Nancy in France, honing his strategic planning skills.
SV Elversberg (Feb 2022 - June 2025)
Duarte joined SV Elversberg in February 2022, as the club competed in the Regionalliga. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the team's consecutive promotions, moving from the Regionalliga to the 3. Liga, narrowly missing out on a spot in the Bundesliga.
Bundesliga Debut
Now, Duarte is set to make his Bundesliga debut alongside Horst Steffen at SV Werder Bremen. This move promises to be a key stepping stone in his career, given his youthful age and remarkable coaching credentials.
A Partnership to Reckon With
Duarte's partnership with Horst Steffen has been instrumental in his rise. Their collaboration at SV Elversberg showcased a strong working relationship, and the duo is now set to continue this partnership at Werder Bremen. Clemens Fritz, Werder Bremen's Football Director, praised their bond, citing it as a vital factor in Duarte's appointment.
What the Future Holds
Duarte now faces fresh challenges and opportunities in the Bundesliga. His appointment with Steffen is viewed as a clever move to inject youthful vitality and innovative coaching strategies into Werder Bremen. Duarte's experience and UEFA A license position him as an exciting new addition to the team, and his future in the Bundesliga looks promising.
The Commission's recent proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement on the European Economic Area might take Horst Steffen's focus away from football as his assistant coach, Raphael Duarte, prepares for his Bundesliga debut with SV Werder Bremen. Prior to joining forces with Steffen at SV Elversberg, Duarte honed his strategic coaching skills as an assistant at AS Nancy in France.
