Cup semi-final “most important game”
Sports director Thomas Brendel is with FSV Frankfurt before the decisive games in the final spurt of the league and in the cup, and planning for 2023/24 is in full swing. The only thing that is certain is that FSV will also play in the Regionalliga Südwest next season. The 46-year-old spoke with Sven Bauer about the cup constellation, the reasons for not registering when promoted to league three, the development of the team, the youngest coach in the first four German leagues – Tim Görner – and his own plans.
Transfer market: Mr. Brendel, tonight the semifinals against Kickers Offenbach in the Hessen State Cup will take place. What can the fans expect?
Thomas Brendel: It’s now the game of the year for both clubs and we can look forward to a hot derby with lots of emotions. Games against our direct neighbors are always the highlights of the season. Soccer heart, what more do you want? It’s clear we want to get to the final.
It’s the most important game of the season for us
Transfer market: In the other semi-final, TSV Steinbach Haiger and Wehen Wiesbaden face each other. Should the SVWW win and end up in the top four in the third division season, your club would have qualified for the DFB Cup regardless of the final result.
Brendel: Participation would be extremely important for us from two points of view. On the one hand, after the last participation in the DFB Cup in 2016 against VfL Wolfsburg, it would be an opportunity for FSV to present itself nationally again. On the other hand, regardless of the possible opponent, from an economic point of view an enormous additional source of income. The game against Kickers Offenbach could therefore be the early final for entry into the DFB Cup. It’s the most important game of the season for us.
Transfer market: In the regional league, you and FSV are eight points behind leaders SSV Ulm 1846 – who have been struggling since the second half of the season. Do you secretly still have a chance of winning the relay?
Brendel: Our conspicuously constant performance and one or two negative surprises from the favored teams meant that we were able to build up more and more contact with the top group. We’re definitely trying to keep up, even though we were 15 points behind the leaders at the time and didn’t submit the license documents.
Transfer market: So could it come to the worst case: you win the championship, but remain fourth division? In that case, I’m sure you’d have to listen to a few questions…
Brendel: We are currently still a few points behind the leader from Ulm. Surely it would be madness if that were to happen. However, the chances are still slim. At the time of the decision, this option seemed rather hopeless.
Sports director Thomas Brendel with FSV Frankfurt coach Tim Görner (l.)
Transfer market: It’s noticeable that your team is playing more consistently – you’ve lost one of the last ten games. What makes the FSV so strong?
Brendel: In the meantime, of course, we’re benefiting from our unity, the team has developed extremely well. Players who have not been able to demonstrate their qualities in the past simply call them up at the moment. Of course, a bit of luck also plays a role here, for example in the home win against TSV Steinbach (2:1; editor’s note).
In the future, even if we will always have economic limits, we must try to position FSV permanently in the top 5
Transfer market: In your opinion, what is missing in order to be able to keep up with the top teams in the long term?
Regionalliga Southwest
FSV Frankfurt 8 points behind SSV UlmTo the table
Brendel: We’ve been spared injuries this season, and we’re certainly lacking a bit of quality across the board. Everything has to fit for us so that we can be a surprise team like this season. In the future, even if we will always have economic limits, we must try to position FSV permanently in the top 5. I think it definitely belongs there.
Transfer market: Let’s play through two scenarios: Suppose the FSV would make the promotion on paper. Would the 3rd division have been financially manageable?
Brendel: We would certainly take promotion with us, but we have to manage a budget of 3.5 million euros or more in the 3rd division in order not to be a potential relegation candidate in this difficult and expensive league. All in all we are in a very good position and we can definitely keep up in terms of infrastructure. In order to be able to think ahead, we need more support from sponsors and partners, then a good quota when putting together the team.
Transfer market: Second: FSV will also play in the regional league next season. Would you try to force the class change in 2024?
Brendel: We would be well advised to exercise restraint when it comes to goals for promotion. Of course we want to look ahead, but a planned promotion is still too early for us.
Thomas Brendel on dual roles at FSV Frankfurt and the future
Transfer market: After the double relegation in 2017 and 2018, things have calmed down around the club. You have been working for the FSV since 2018. You started out as sports director and you still hold this position. How did that happen?
Brendel: In the meantime, after the two coaching dismissals, Alexander Conrad and Angelo Barletta, I was also active as a coach for the club in a double function. I played for FSV for five years, including being promoted to the regional league and the 2nd Bundesliga. After I ended my career, of course I never lost sight of the FSV. After the said double relegation and the associated insolvency, I agreed to support the club so that the game could continue in the regional league.
Transfer market: The unpleasant tasks also include the dismissal of coaches, which you just mentioned. April 2019 you had to announce this decision for the first time. How was that for you?
Brendel: Unpleasant, especially since I had known Alexander Conrad for some time and had worked under him as an assistant coach for 1. FC Eschborn. Unfortunately, such things are also part of the business.
Transfer market: How did you manage the dual role of sports director/coach?
Brendel: That was very intense and not an easy task, especially when you’re playing against relegation and you’re responsible for everything, including all the employees in the office.
Transfer market: You have performed both functions for many years. Where do you see your future?
Brendel: In the future, I see myself as a sports director or managing director of sports. Since I’m good with numbers and I’m very familiar with regional and national football, and I’m fluent in negotiations, I prefer both positions. Since I also managed a company as managing director for ten years, I am familiar with the commercial processes and the management of employees. In principle, I don’t want to return to the position of coach.
Transfer market: You’ve been at Frankfurt for five years now – are you going into a sixth season with the club?
Brendel: I’m currently in the middle of planning the squad for the coming season. Of course, I would also like to develop further, gladly with the FSV. However, football is very fast-moving, sometimes things happen that you cannot predict.
Thomas Brendel made Tim Görner the youngest coach in the top four German divisions
Transfer market: You also go other ways, for example you made Tim Görner head coach at the age of 26 and have not regretted it. On the contrary, because the contract should also be extended with him. What distinguishes him and what else do you think he is capable of?
Brendel: Tim is a very ambitious coach who, despite his age, seems to get along very well with the current team. He has good coaching and prepares the team very well for the next opponents. In any case, he has to keep gaining experience, especially in situations when things don’t go so well, that’s when you learn the most.
Transfer market: Apart from a few breaks, you have been involved with football since 1997 and have experienced a lot – both actively on and off the field. Which experiences, both positive and negative, have particularly influenced you?
Brendel: I’ve had a few coaches as a player, and I’ve learned something from everyone, positively or negatively. It is important to go your own way.
Transfer market: What aspects of your time as a footballer help you in your role as sporting director?
Brendel: Of course I know how the players tick. It always helps to have played yourself. It is also important to always have an open ear for the players, an honest relationship is very important.
If you get the chance to work in a higher league, if you have the ambition, you have to think about it carefully
Transfer market: You are 46 years old, have an A license and are a fixture in Hessian football. What are your goals, where could you go?
Brendel: It’s the same with the players – if you get the chance to work in a higher league, if you have the ambition, you have to think about it carefully. The positions are limited. Let’s let ourselves be surprised and see what the future will bring.
Transfer market: What do you do when you’re not playing soccer?
Brendel: Spend a lot of time with the family, do sports yourself. But believe me, football doesn’t let me go even in my free time, because my job always requires availability.
Transfer market: Thank you very much for the interview and we wish you all the best for the future.
Interview by Sven Bauer (Lapdog)
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