"Pondering Hansa, I can't help but recall..."
Once a formidable presence between the posts for RB Salzburg, Alexander Walke (40) now spends his days in Leipzig. The Austrian champion eleven times and European Cup participant on fifty occasions, Walke hung up his gloves in the summer to guide the next generation of goalkeepers. His t-shirt and shorts are his uniform, the grey temples a testament to time.
Leipzig beckoned, luring him into the coaching world after a thirteen-year stint in the Alpine Republic. An apartment in Leipzig, where his transition from player to coach takes place, is home base, while frequent visits to his family break the monotony.
"It was crystal clear that I would pursue this opportunity, learn and give it my all. Initially, I'm bound by a one-year contract – neither side can predict the nuances of transitioning from player to coach," Walke, with an ÖFB B-license, explains.
Compromise is not in Walke's vocabulary. The choice: either stay idle or seize an opportunity to test his coaching skills across different continents. A fixed plan B was never in the cards, as he sets his focus squarely on this journey, hoping to enjoy its fruits for ten years… or possibly even longer.
Training nine promising talents is no walk in the park – Walke laughs, only slightly realizing his irony. "During my first month, I was lost and barely knew where I was. Now, things are smoothly in place, save for the occasional challenge of time management in drills," he admits, with a Berlaer accent occasionally creeping into his speech.
His influential career flashes by, punctuated by moments of triumph: the exhilarating 2:1 victory against Dortmund in 2018, and the Celtic Glasgow away game, awash with festivities and rock music. Salzburg, with Marco Rose at helm, emerged victorious.
Relegation with FC Hansa Rostock in 2010 marked a difficult period. Walke's resilience shone in the final April game against Kaiserslautern, saving a penalty in a 1:0 win. Despite their relegation, the memory lingers fondly in his mind.
The scene that resonates most, however, features the emotional aftermath of their relegation: a stadium that applauded, and the consoling of teary-eyed Andy Thiem, the cult keeper. "That moment was truly special," Walke recalls with a warm smile.
Significant connections from his career remain, such as his on-going rapport with former teammate Tim Sebastian, now in Leipzig, as well as with Kevin Schlitte, former Rostock coach Marco Kostmann, and Andreas Reinke's family.
