Belgium coach also spoke to SVW
The connection of Belgian national coach Domenico Tedesco to the Bundesliga helped two clubs from the German top flight to sign a new signing last summer. The 38-year-old played a role in both Loïs Openda’s transfer to RB Leipzig and Olivier Deman’s move to Werder Bremen, as both players independently revealed.
Openda came to Leipzig from RC Lens in mid-July for 38.5 million euros. The 23-year-old striker also had other offers, but decided on RB after a conversation with Tedesco: “I actually asked him when Leipzig expressed interest. He only told me positive things: the club wants to win every game, win the cup, and always be in the Champions League. And that they always have young players that they give playing time to so that they can develop. You can also see that in Nkunku, Gvardiol, Szoboszlai. That’s why it was the best choice for me to go to Leipzig. Domenico advised me to do this,” he told “Sport Bild”.
Up to this point, Openda had played three of its nine international matches under Tedesco, and two more appearances were added in September. The right-footer has a good chance of being in the Belgian squad for the 2024 European Championship – where Werder newcomer Deman also wants to be there.
From Hareide to Nagelsmann: Europe’s national coaches by age
Olivier Deman: Tedesco mediated between Werder and the new signing
The left winger, who takes on a more defensive role on the left rail for the Green-Whites, came to the Weser from Cercle Bruges as a last-minute transfer on August 31st for 4 million euros. He played his only international match to date against Estonia on June 20th and was part of the squad without playing in September. In order to continue to be part of the national team, Tedesco advised the 23-year-old to move to Germany and also gave the Bremen team important information.
“The first thing we talked about was the national team’s next call-up. Then he said that he had received calls from a Bundesliga team. He told me that he had spoken to Werder and that it would be a good step for me. That was a good sign for me to come here,” said Deman at his official introduction on Tuesday. Last weekend, the left-footer was in coach Ole Werner’s starting line-up for the first time in the 2-1 win against 1. FC Köln and performed just as well as after he came on as a substitute in the 2-4 loss in Heidenheim the previous week.
“It is a great opportunity and a great honor to represent your country at a major tournament. That’s also one reason why I wanted to take the next step in my career this summer. We have a strong team in Belgium. It won’t be easy there. But I will give everything to secure a place in the European Championship squad,” said Deman. The “Red Devils” have Arthur Theate on the left in the defensive back four, while there are many offensive options such as Leandro Trossard (28), Yannick Carrasco (30), Jérémy Doku (21) and Dodi Lukébakio (26).
To home page