The comparison with Julian Nagelsmann is uncomfortable for André Henning. At least that’s how it works. “The question is whether I also wear such extravagant coats“Jokes the new national hockey coach for the men.”Julian Nagelsmann is a successful trainer. It’s nice to be compared to him. “
In fact, there are some parallels. Similar to Nagelsmann, André Henning also started the coaching business at an early age. At the age of 23, Henning took over the post on the coaching bench from record champion Uhlenhorst Mülheim.
There are also optically similarities with Julian Nagelsmann when looking at the blonde short hairstyle. Henning is at least as eloquent as the Bayern coach. “A few years ago I was compared to Jürgen Klopp because I am just as enthusiastic on the line“says Henning.
But as I said: the comparisons with prominent coaching colleagues from the football world do not please the new national hockey coach so much: “I don’t emulate people, I rather try to develop my own style.“
Henning is still coaching the German champions Cologne
Henning’s style has long convinced those responsible at the German Hockey Association. For years they have tried again and again to win the 36-year-old for the position of national coach. Long unsuccessful: Only now has Henning accepted. One “Timing issue“he calls it.
Henning, who grew up in Velbert in the Bergisches Land, is still coaching the German champions Rot-Weiss Köln. At the end of the indoor season at the end of January, he gives up his job as a club coach and concentrates fully on his job as national coach. The challenge is great. The once so successful German men’s hockey has not won a major title for seven years.
“An absolute all-round package at a world-class level ”
This year the German team was runner-up in Europe, but missed the medal ranks at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with fourth place. “I don’t want to lower expectations, I want to win titles again with Germany“, says Henning with full conviction, knowing full well that the top nations from Belgium and the Netherlands are currently in the lead.
In the German hockey scene, Henning’s appointment actually triggered something like euphoria. “It is an absolute all-round package at a world-class level“, says national player Christopher Rühr, who currently also plays under Henning at Rot-Weiss Köln.”André always has good ideas, understands complex game processes and situations, is tactically outstanding. And you stick to your lips during the speeches before and during the game. “
Henning has already worked with most of the national players
Henning has known Rühr for over a decade. Henning discovered the striker in the youth division of record champion Uhlenhorst Mülheim and shaped him into a world-class attacker. Rühr is one of numerous national players that Henning has already coached despite his young age – at his coaching stations in Mülheim, Hamburg or Cologne. Or in the ranks of the German U21s, whom Henning led to the junior world championship eight years ago.
“The fact that I already know the guys well, that was one reason why I took on this task. I know what I’m getting myself into“says Henning. With him, German hockey should be what it once was: a reliable candidate for the title.
Status: December 21, 2021, 2:30 p.m.