RETTIG: IT'S ALL ABOUT KEEPING OUR HEADS ABOVE WATER
Monday, 14. November 2016, 18:10 Uhr
Commercial director Andreas Rettig took on the position of interim director of sport just under two weeks ago on 2 November. One day after the annual general meeting the 53-year-old spoke for the first time about his dual role, the associated tasks and the current on-field situation.
"When I got home that evening and told my wife about the extra work, she asked me if the time had come again when all she would see of me was the photo on her bedside cabinet," joked Rettig. "But when you need someone who can walk straight into the role, it's easy to understand the board's decision. We're also very clear that it's only until the end of the season, however." Rettig will be aided in this task by a sound administrative structure and capable department heads with the ability to take decisions autonomously on the commercial side, thus lightening the burden on his shoulders.
The new role may not have been part of his plans, then, but he is no stranger to it, having already held the position at SC Freiburg, FC Cologne and FC Augsburg. The biggest difference at his previous clubs, however, was that he was able to work with the future in mind. "It's something new for me. The long-term perspective and direction don't matter now, it's all about keeping our heads above water. Everything else is secondary. We have to get past at least two teams. To have a realistic chance in the second half of the season, we need to pick up points in the last five games before the winter break, otherwise it's going to be tough."
Rettig has already identified his first task. "I see myself as a partner and service provider to the coaching team and the players. That's the approach I've always taken. It's about doing everything I can to help the team and the coaching staff. My job is to be the go-to person for Ewald Lienen, who has overall responsibility for the team. It's important for Ewald to have a sparring partner who gives him his thoughts and discusses things with him, as has already been the case several times in the last few days."
Asked about the possibility of bringing in players during the winter break, Rettig said: "We don't intend to do anything rash in the current situation. We're responsible for 120 full-time staff. We'll try everything we can to avoid the drop. We're keeping tabs on the transfer market but we have to decide wisely and weigh up whether any players who could join us in winter hold more promise than the ones we already have."
Photo: Witters
