Steffen Takes the Helm at Bremen's Weser Stadium
- [horst_steffen]
- [bremen]
- [bundesliga]
- [weserstadion]
- [sv_werder_bremen]
- [clemens_fritz]
- [sv_elversberg]
- [elversberg]
- [ole_werner]
Spreading Positive Atmosphere for Werder, as Per Steffen - Spreading Positivity: Steffen's Uplifting Influence
Oh boy, Horst Steffen, the 56-year-old ex-Bundesliga player and coach, ain't just got a memory like a steel trap for the good ol' Weser Stadium days with Werder Bremen. "Sure, there were a few hiccups," said the guy at his first pressie as their new coach. "But lemme tell ya, this place always had some great football happening."
Now he's saddled with the task of making sure the current gang pulls off the same feats. His ol' cheesy grin during the presser sure as hell showed he's raring to give it a shot.
"Y'know, I nearly squirted my brew when Clemens Fritz, Werder's sports director, gave me a ring," he remembered. "I thought, 'Whoa, some big-time club's interested in my act, in me, in what I've been up and about.' With Elversberg edging ever closer to the Bundesliga, Werder's call was a game-changer."
Turns out, even with Elversberg's lucky streak, Werder was top of Steffen's wishlist. "If Werder catches wind of me, the idea of being Werder practically swoops in already," he joked, possibly sounding a bit silly to the folks of Saarland.
Last Monday, he came oh-so-close to landing the Bundesliga spot with Elversberg, but 1. FC Heidenheim stole their promotion glory in the relegation playoff. Still, it's his first-ever crack at the Bundesliga as a coach, and he's fiercely proud of his multi-league coaching career, from youth ranks up to lower divisions.
"I've played ball all over Germany, from U17 to U19 Bundesliga and every league from Landesliga on up," he said, explaining that a shot at the big leagues with Werder was a long-held goal. "And when Werder comes knocking, you don't need to give it too much thought, it's a no-brainer, you wanna seize the opportunity."
Steffen's been with Elversberg since 2018, turning them from a mid-table team in the 2. Bundesliga into one of the most formidable squads in their division last season. He's succeeded Ole Werner, who parted ways with Werder after three and a half seasons. The specifics of Steffen's contract and tenure are hush-hush, but media reports suggest he's signed on till 2028. Word on the street has it that Werder shelled out a cool €300,000 to €350,000 to snag Steffen from Elversberg.
Steffen isn't keen on pinning down specific targets or positions. But his vision for Werder is clear as a bell: "We're all about enjoying the game, committing to every play, bringing intensity and focus, with structures to guide our game plans and spaces for creativity," he said. "We're gonna play with confidence and courage, and defend like we mean it, too. The team's gotta feel like one solid unit."
He isn't one for making empty promises; Steffen wants the enthusiasm and love for the game to seep from the stands and shine on the screens. "I'm hopin' it'll happen again, that the passion for football is as infectious as it once was, that we play our hearts out no matter the opponent or the score," he said, grinning ear to ear.
Notable Coaching History
- SC Kapellen-Erft (Sixth Tier): Steffen kickstarted his coaching career at Kapellen-Erft, using three years to build a solid rep in lower-tier German football.
- MSV Duisburg (Youth/Reserve): He coached the reserve and U19 teams for three years, gaining recognition for his work with young talent.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach (Youth): Over four years, Steffen coached the U17 and U19 Squads, further honing his talent for nurturing young players.
- Stuttgarter Kickers, Preußen Münster, and Chemnitzer FC: Steffen took the helm at a trio of lower-league clubs, managing various competitive environments in Germany's football pyramid.
- SV Elversberg: Steffen joined Elversberg in 2018, initially a fourth-division club. He led them to two consecutive promotions, reaching the 2. Bundesliga and narrowly missing out on a shot at the Bundesliga.
Philo-Football
- Attacking Football: Known for advocating an attack-minded style, Steffen's teams strive to dominate possession and control the tempo.
- Youth Development: Steffen emphasizes working with and developing young talent, with his commitment to nurturing young players being a key factor in his appointment at Werder.
- Tactical Flexibility and Leadership: Praised for his strong leadership and distinct tactical vision, Steffen is seen as adaptable, capable of adapting to the needs of his players and the demands of each match.
- Progressive Mindset: Steffen's knack for fostering a winning mentality and club culture has been instrumental in propelling teams through the leagues.
Werder can expect Steffen to use the full pre-season to develop his tactical ideas before diving into the 2025/26 campaign. It's the dawn of a new era at the Weser Stadium, and Steffen's got big plans to make it sparkle again!
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, as Horst Steffen's dedication to football extends beyond the Weser Stadium. Steffen, the new coach of Werder Bremen, has shown his commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting an attack-minded style of play, similar to the passion and intensity found in European football leagues.
