Its probably gone under the radar in the mad FFO world, but Union Berlin have appointed the experienced Andy Babbs as their head coach. The move which suprised many took place a few weeks ago, and the Englishman has wasted little time in making his presence felt in Germany. We caught up with him this week and asked him a few questions.
Hi Andy, I suppose the first question has to be why move from Chelsea to Berlin.
AB, Why not Id say. I was not enjoying Chelsea at all, and was getting stale, so much so I thought of leaving the game altogether. Ive taken a job which has come as a shock to many, but I see a very good long term plan in place in Germany that Im happy with.
Reporter, Ive heard youve hit the ground running, so tell us what youve been up too.
AB, Well the squad is simply not good enough at all, even though they finished one place outside the play-offs last season. The experienced L_Bonucci has moved to Roma in a reported 8.5m deal from Berlin. This move has helped free up 1m in wages per month which Berlin can not afford at all in the long term. Ive since sanctioned a 10k expansion of the Berlin home ground, which will take the capacity up from 35k to 45k.This will inflate revenue, and provide extra monies for wages and transfers in the future .In addition Ive sold the striker Becker to Racing Club Lens, and in exchange welcomed the younger forward French man A_Fulgini, who is younger and again a saving on wages. Defender 19yrs old W_ArmItage has now joined us as a direct replacement for Bonucci and is an exiting youngster that this club will now foster and develop in the seasons to come. Next to come in is a very good young attacking midfielder E_Nuamah from Lyon who Im particulary pleased to welcome to the club. Mean while German player R_Khedira has joined Premier league side Liverpool for an un-disclosed fee. Other transfers are planned and several players are available for the right offers.
Reporter, Youve certainly been busy, and seem to be balancing the books but at the same time signing youth players.
AB, Yes thats about right. Ive also arranged for extra close season training with the employment of an additional coach for the next three close seasons, starting from now. It doesnt stop there either, we have a employed a specialist scout who will travel the world in search of players for Union Berlin .He will be employed for the next five seasons, and Im informed that we have already have an exiting talent identified, who will join our Academy in the very near future. In addition to this we have a further two youngsters joining our academy as well, probably a defender and attacking midfielder. This will make our new academy up to ten players which will progress into the first team hopefully in the not to distant future. Well thats the idea anyway.
Reporter, Wow great news, for Berlin fans. What about promotion.
AB, At this stage not interested at all to be honest. This club is not ready for Promotion yet but we will be in the future.
Reporter, Not sure Berlin fans want to hear that
AB, Thats the future for this club, youth Academy, youth players and balancing the books, its the only way. Its a challenge and will take a few seasons to start to see real progress, But we will get there.
Reporter, Any news in FFO world we maybe interested in AB.
AB, The transfer markets gone mad, and theres an auction coming, which I cant see Berlin taking part in Im afraid. I think the smaller clubs should be made a more attractive Prospect maybe by making their academy players at least the equal to the higher clubs, which is not the case at present. If you dont do something Managers will not migrate over, its as simple as that.
Reporter, Thanks AB and good luck at Berlin.
AB, Thanks, no problem.
Hi Andy, I suppose the first question has to be why move from Chelsea to Berlin.
AB, Why not Id say. I was not enjoying Chelsea at all, and was getting stale, so much so I thought of leaving the game altogether. Ive taken a job which has come as a shock to many, but I see a very good long term plan in place in Germany that Im happy with.
Reporter, Ive heard youve hit the ground running, so tell us what youve been up too.
AB, Well the squad is simply not good enough at all, even though they finished one place outside the play-offs last season. The experienced L_Bonucci has moved to Roma in a reported 8.5m deal from Berlin. This move has helped free up 1m in wages per month which Berlin can not afford at all in the long term. Ive since sanctioned a 10k expansion of the Berlin home ground, which will take the capacity up from 35k to 45k.This will inflate revenue, and provide extra monies for wages and transfers in the future .In addition Ive sold the striker Becker to Racing Club Lens, and in exchange welcomed the younger forward French man A_Fulgini, who is younger and again a saving on wages. Defender 19yrs old W_ArmItage has now joined us as a direct replacement for Bonucci and is an exiting youngster that this club will now foster and develop in the seasons to come. Next to come in is a very good young attacking midfielder E_Nuamah from Lyon who Im particulary pleased to welcome to the club. Mean while German player R_Khedira has joined Premier league side Liverpool for an un-disclosed fee. Other transfers are planned and several players are available for the right offers.
Reporter, Youve certainly been busy, and seem to be balancing the books but at the same time signing youth players.
AB, Yes thats about right. Ive also arranged for extra close season training with the employment of an additional coach for the next three close seasons, starting from now. It doesnt stop there either, we have a employed a specialist scout who will travel the world in search of players for Union Berlin .He will be employed for the next five seasons, and Im informed that we have already have an exiting talent identified, who will join our Academy in the very near future. In addition to this we have a further two youngsters joining our academy as well, probably a defender and attacking midfielder. This will make our new academy up to ten players which will progress into the first team hopefully in the not to distant future. Well thats the idea anyway.
Reporter, Wow great news, for Berlin fans. What about promotion.
AB, At this stage not interested at all to be honest. This club is not ready for Promotion yet but we will be in the future.
Reporter, Not sure Berlin fans want to hear that
AB, Thats the future for this club, youth Academy, youth players and balancing the books, its the only way. Its a challenge and will take a few seasons to start to see real progress, But we will get there.
Reporter, Any news in FFO world we maybe interested in AB.
AB, The transfer markets gone mad, and theres an auction coming, which I cant see Berlin taking part in Im afraid. I think the smaller clubs should be made a more attractive Prospect maybe by making their academy players at least the equal to the higher clubs, which is not the case at present. If you dont do something Managers will not migrate over, its as simple as that.
Reporter, Thanks AB and good luck at Berlin.
AB, Thanks, no problem.
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