Marco Rose is the new coach of RB Leipzig - and in his first game he meets former club Borussia Dortmund. Edin Terzic has been on the sidelines there since this season, who is not only Rose's successor, but also his predecessor. At the press conference before the game, Terzic commented on the special reunion on Saturday.
"Marco and I got along really well from day one," emphasized Terzic (via WAZ), who worked as technical director at BVB during Rose's tenure. "Originally, the plan was for me to assist Marco as assistant coach. We immediately exchanged ideas about the pre-season. He is very close, trusting and often stayed. During this time, I not only got to know Marco as an outstanding coach, but also as a great guys."
BVB had won the DFB Cup under Terzic, but had previously agreed to work with Rose. The Black and Yellows then rejected the original plan to install Terzic as an assistant coach. Tying the successful coach so closely to the team would have weakened Rose's authority, the Dortmund bosses thought.
The plan to go into the future with Rose in the long term failed after just one year. Now it is again the original Borussia Terzic who has taken over the sporting responsibility in the Signal Iduna Park. With a view to the unexpectedly quick reunion on Saturday, the 39-year-old is trying to calm things down.
"To what extent it will help us that we know each other well will be seen on Saturday," explained Terzic, but reminded us: "We're not both on the pitch. It's not Marco Rose playing against Edin Terzic, but RB Leipzig against Borussia Dortmund."
Apart from the special coaching constellation, BVB has to compensate for numerous injuries early in the season. In addition to Mo Dahoud, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (both shoulder surgery), Sebastien Haller (tumor disease) and Mateu Morey (knee surgery), who are all absent for the long term, there is also regular goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who already missed out in the Champions League with a torn muscle fibre had to, not available.
In addition, Donyell Malen, Karim Adeyemi and Thorgan Hazard are doubtful. "Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi increase their workload every day, they complete parts of the training. It's about how high the risk would be that they would injure themselves more seriously again," Terzic described the current status Thorgan Hazard out. It's going to be tight for Saturday."
Despite the many absences, Terzic remains optimistic: "It's important that we get through the English weeks up to the World Cup. The team looks very fit, very lively. I'm confident that we can continue to play dominant football."
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as "We got along really well": Terzic before reuniting with predecessor Rose.
