70th birthday on Saturday
© Imago
Perhaps Peter Neururer can accuse a lot. A lack of authenticity certainly not. Even before his 70th birthday on Saturday, he stays true to himself and simply cannot leave it. Even if he naturally claims the opposite. “I no longer get upset about things that I cannot influence,” said Neururer from the “German Press Agency”.
It works well, you want to mean Ironically. A few seconds later, the notorious speech is at least felt to 180. You only have to address the long-time Bundesliga coach to FC Schalke 04. “Of course I get annoyed,” said Neururer.
The charismatic Harley-driving mustache has twelve different clubs in German professional football. He still has a close bond as a crashed district giant, in which he is still a member. The story that he was once left on Schalke 35 years ago, although he was on a Bundesliga promotion square in the 2nd division, is part of the formation of soccer in Germany.
When it comes to Schalke, Neururer is angry
“Schalke 04 is an integral part of my life,” said Neururer and scolded like a pipe sparrow in view of the current situation of the royal blue. “A lot is going wrong. There are people at work who have no idea about football at all,” said Neururer in view of the latest Posse around still coach Kees van Wonderen, who has to go at the end of the season.
The expectations of the Dutch are far too high. “Nobody in the world can rise with this team. It’s a joke.” And in general. “This external presentation. It has never been so bad,” said Neururer. “And I’ve already witnessed a lot.” And some with him, which is no wonder at all of his stations.
The opinion of him is much more positive by people who have experienced him up close than those who can only judge him from the outside. Christoph Kramer, for example, once played at VfL Bochum before he became world champion in 2014. And closed him “really in my heart,” said Kramer later. “He is the perfect fireman for every team in the world.”
Neururer-comeback at most at Schalke, Cologne & Bochum in Need
But this time has been over since the end of 2014 since he had been on leave at VfL Bochum. “I don’t feel like it anymore,” said Neururer himself. Of course there are exceptions, for clubs that have grown particularly heart: “If Schalke, the 1. FC Köln or Bochum would be in the worship. But otherwise I would no longer do it.”
Which does not mean that he would no longer return to the professional business beyond the 70. “As a sports director or sports director – immediately. I am fit and dare to do more than others.”
In any case, there is not much to hear from private plans, which other 70-year-olds perhaps undertake in retirement. Accordingly, there is no need to catch up: “I feel like 45, I have two children who have already given me two grandchildren. I have a fantastic marriage.”
“I have this dream to hold the bowl in your hand”
Even as a hobby biker, a lifelong dream is fulfilled: with his Harley-Davidson Cruiste Neururer with his buddies, now through all 50 US states, even Alaska. “We did that last year. We were directly translated from Hawaii to Alaska. A crazy history, but that’s how we are,” said Neururer himself.
So a wish remains unfulfilled: “I have this dream of holding the shell in my hand once.” But that would have to work again with the job as a sports director or sports director. And maybe not at FC Schalke.