Will Werder Bremen's Ole Werner Coach Through Sickness Against Leverkusen?
A Potential Change at the Helm
A cloud of uncertainty looms over Werder Bremen as head coach Ole Werner battles a harmful cold. The question on everyone's mind: will he suit up for Saturday's home game against Leverkusen (3:30 pm)? It seems doubtful, opening the door for powerful Patrick Kohlmann, fondly referred to as "Kohle," to take the reins.
Kohlmann Stepping Up
Clemens Fritz, Werder's soccer mastermind, spoke on the situation. Kohlmann led training today and addressed the team. Fritz expressed the intention to give Werner the rest he needed. The other assistant coaches are proactively involved in the proceedings.
Can Werder Hold Up Against Leverkusen Without Werner?
If Werner finds himself on the bench, questions arise regarding the team's ability to remain competitive against Leverkusen, the current league leaders. Clemens Fritz shared his thoughts on the matter. Although Werder would probably be listed as a substitute, Fritz notes the influence of the head coach in such situations. Regardless of the close coordination between Ole and Kohlmann, the absence of Werner might create a noticeable difference.
Kohlmann's Background
Kohlmann has a rich coaching background. He has served as Ole Werner's assistant since 2019, during their time at Holstein Kiel. Previously, Kohlmann worked alongside Markus Anfang, now the Werder coach, as well as star assistants Tim Walter (HSV) and Andre Schubert. He donned the Bundesliga uniform once for Borussia Dortmund in 2004 and spent the bulk of his career at Union Berlin. In 2009, he helped Union Berlin promote to the 2nd division.
Additional Support for Werder
Although Kohlmann won't be stepping into a head coach role for the first time, he won't be alone in this endeavor. Tom Cichon, another Werder ace, will be by his side. Hannes Drews, former head coach of second-division club Aue in 2017/18, will also lend a hand.
Werder's Injury Woes
Besides Werner, another key player, Naby Keïta, has fallen ill. Fritz shared his concerns about Keïta's availability for the Leverkusen match. Though it's not yet clear how much impact these rough patches will have on Werder's performance, the team is facing a substantial challenge.
- There's a chance Ole Werner might be forced to sit out the home game against Leverkusen, with assistant coach Patrick Kohlmann stepping in as interim head coach.
- German reporter Frank Baumann sheds light on the current predicament of Werder Bremen, emphasizing the influence of both Ole Werner and Naby Keïta on the team's success in the Bundesliga.
- Given recent setbacks, including injuries to key players and suspensions, Werder Bremen must overcome adversity and adapt their strategy to compensate for the absentees.
- Clemens Fritz highlights the importance of coordination between Ole Werner and Patrick Kohlmann, but acknowledges that even with strong knowledge of each other's approaches, the absence of Werner might still be felt against Leverkusen.
- With Werder Bremen facing several challenges, Fritz underscores the need for team unity and adaptability as they prepare to take on the league leaders.
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While Werner's health status is the primary focus, Werder Bremen faces additional hardships. Key players like Julian Malatini, Keke Topp, and Leonardo Bittencourt are sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, Marco Friedl and Niklas Stark are suspended for the match. These challenges will require the team to adjust their strategy and possibly alter their lineup to make up for the losses. The absence of Werner might have a significant impact on Werder Bremen's performance against Leverkusen, but the team's spirit and adaptability will determine their outcome.
