Bundesliga 2 - Grammozis back at FCK: "An affair of the heart"
New head coach and returnee Dimitrios Grammozis did not have much time to get the unsettled professionals of 1. FC Kaiserslautern back on track. After four defeats in a row in the 2nd Bundesliga, the 45-year-old, who took over from Dirk Schuster on Sunday, had just two days to prepare the players for the round of 16 in the DFB Cup against 1. FC Nürnberg on Tuesday evening (18:00/Sky and ARD).
What makes his task easier is that much of the Betzenberg is familiar to him from his time as a player from 2000 to 2005. "It's a nice feeling to return here after all these years. It's a matter close to my heart," said Grammozis at his presentation on Monday.
"We mustn't make the mistake of turning everything inside out. We don't have time for that either. It will be about how we can eliminate the individual mistakes," explained Grammozis. "I hope that the team can implement one or two things that we give them."
He will make his debut in front of a large crowd. The Fritz Walter Stadium is almost sold out with over 48,000 spectators. "I'm really looking forward to the game. You want to experience a crowd like that," said Grammozis. However, miracles should not be expected. "It's important for us to be compact. We know that our soccer is not the best at the moment. But we can play freely in the DFB Cup," emphasized Dirk Schuster's successor.
The new coach was already able to see how beautiful this competition can be during his playing career. In 2003, Grammozis made it to the final in Berlin with FCK. "I know how nice it is to go far in the DFB Cup. The competition is also financially important," said the Wuppertal native. Those responsible at the Palatinate club only contacted him last Thursday. "There was a phone call with Enis Hajri and Thomas Hengen to exchange ideas. We then met the next day and quickly realized that it could be a good fit," reported Grammozis. "I was impressed by the talks. When I came out of the interview, it was clear from my side that I was ready."
He received the confirmation shortly afterwards. During his first training session with the team on Sunday, he realized that the job was fun. "I'm glad that I can get back to work," said Grammozis. The German-Greek will only be without the injured Aaron Opoku for the cup game. Goalkeeper Ragnar Ache should return to the squad.
Table 2. Bundesliga Announcement about the new coach
Read also:
- Grammozis spent part of his playing career in Germany, specifically with 1. FC Kaiserslautern from 2000 to 2005.
- With Kaiserslautern, Grammozis reached the final of the DFB Cup in 2003.
- Grammozis' return to Kaiserslautern as head coach is a matter close to his heart.
- The DFB Cup match against 1. FC Nürnberg on Tuesday evening will be Grammozis' debut as the new coach of 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
- Due to individual mistakes, Kaiserslautern has struggled in the 2. Bundesliga, but Grammozis sees potential for improvement in the DFB Cup.
- Sky and ARD will broadcast the DFB Cup match between Kaiserslautern and Nürnberg on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
- Grammozis' coaching tenure at Kaiserslautern will be tested in the challenging environment of the Bundesliga, as they aim to regain promotion.
- The Rhineland-Palatinate club contacted Grammozis last Thursday to discuss the possibility of taking over from Dirk Schuster, who was recently dismissed.
Source: www.stern.de
