Newly-appointed Paderborn coach, hailing from the realm of padel sports, expresses indifference towards the World Cup.
Straight-up With Ralf Kettemann, Paderborn's New Football Maverick
Ditching the stereotype of a football-crazed coach, Ralf Kettemann, the fresh face at the helm of Paderborn's second division team, declares he's anything but fixated on football 24/7. "Ain't caught the Club World Cup fever," he quipped at his unveiling as the club's new coach. "Life's got more intriguing stuff than just football," the 38-year-old asserted, labeling himself a "free spirit."
The self-proclaimed "don't-call-me-nerd" coach replaces Lukas Kwasniok, who's now with 1. FC Cologne. President Thomas Sagel is hopeful about Kettemann's appointment, praising his resemblance to the club's recent footballing minds. Kettemann previously honed his skills coaching the U19 team at Karlsruhe SC.
Kettemann: Fitting Like a Glove
Evading a rigid football philosophy, Kettemann stresses the importance of teamwork and interpersonal dynamics. "SCP and me," he joked, "we're like a well-worn leather glove." Emphasizing humility and strategic thinking, he's no stranger to being compared to a large-brained thinker. The only thing that's left him wanting in Paderborn? The padel skills of the executive team, apparently.
A good chunk of the players he'll be working with are already familiar faces. "I'm stoked. The squad ain't gonna change much. The team's shown it's got what it takes," he said.
Last season, SCP nabbed fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga. Before departures, they're in negotiations with a striker who's almost at the finish line. That's about it for the off-season planning.
Overall, Kettemann's approach at Paderborn sets the stage for an energetic, dynamic playing style. As he works towards his DFB Pro License, his modern, proactive mindset and focus on youth development hint at a promising future for SCP. (Note: This won't make you a football guru overnight, but it offers a glimpse into the coach's philosophy.)
In the midst of an unconventional coaching approach, Ralf Kettemann comments on his preferences beyond football, expressing an interest in various aspects of life beyond European leagues and football, as he quips, "Life's got more intriguing stuff than just football." Despite his residential change from Karlsruhe SC to Paderborn, he finds camaraderie with his new team akin to a well-worn leather glove.
