- Mainz manager Henriksen shares his season objectives: "I'm rather unexciting"
Bo Henriksen, the trainer for Mainz 05, hasn't spilled the beans about his season objectives ahead of the Bundesliga kickoff. He joked, "I'm as exciting as watching paint dry. I just focus on the next game." This was spoken during the pre-match interview prior to the encounter with 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday (3:30 PM/Sky). Despite his humorous tone, Henriksen acknowledged the significance of a strong start. "Then we can divert our attention elsewhere."
The upcoming fixture presents a peculiar Danish coaching face-off, with Bo Svensson, a former Mainz player, also taking part. Svensson coached Mainz from January 2021 to November 2023 and even wore the club's colors from 2007 to 2014. Henriksen reminisced about Svensson, stating, "He's a major hero here." However, he admitted their relationship isn't very personal. "I went head-to-head against him in the Danish Superliga about 25 or 30 years ago."
As far as additional transfers are concerned, Henriksen kept his options open. His entire squad is available for the league opener, as reported by Henriksen himself, all players being fit and having been in training. Whether Mainz will make any more signings before the transfer window closes is still up in the air. "We only make a move if it's beneficial for us," Henriksen said. Media outlets hint at Mainz being interested in Danish midfielder Nicolai Vallys from Brøndby IF.
The first team Mainz 05 will face in the Bundesliga kickoff is none other than FC Union Berlin. Despite Bo Henriksen's humorous comment about his excitement levels, he emphasized the importance of a strong start for his team, as it would allow them to focus on other matters later.
