Dimitrios Grammozis is back at 1. FC Kaiserslautern! The 45-year-old was officially introduced as Dirk Schuster’s successor. From 2000 to 2005, Grammozis wore the “Red Devils” jersey as a player.
On Sunday (December 3rd), Dimitrios Grammozis led his first training session as coach of the Palatinate team. The former midfielder is tackling his new role at second division club 1. FC Kaiserslautern with great enthusiasm.
“It’s a very, very nice feeling to return here. The club is a matter of the heart for me,” said the former FCK professional when he was introduced on Monday: “I’m happy that I can work again.”
“We can’t turn everything inside out”
Grammozis knows how difficult his task is: “We mustn’t make the mistake of turning everything inside out. We don’t have time for that either. It will be about how we can correct individual mistakes,” he said. “I hope that the team can implement one or two things that we give them.”
Grammozis wants to stabilize the defense
Grammozis, who was under contract with the four-time champions from 2000 to 2005, has inherited Dirk Schuster. Schuster was fired on Thursday due to the Red Devils’ continued lack of success. The FCK has only picked up one point from the last six league games and has slipped into the bottom of the table.
“From now on a new era begins. Everyone can prove themselves again. The squad is good. I am sure that we will be successful,” said the 45-year-old Grammozis, who has previously been on the sidelines at Darmstadt 98 and Schalke 04 : “Stabilization is an important topic, that is the main focus. We have to work hard, our situation is not the best.”
Debut in the cup against 1. FC Nürnberg
Grammozis will make his debut on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup against league rivals 1. FC Nürnberg (6 p.m./ARD). “I’m extremely excited,” said the new coach, who cut a good figure in his first appearance.
The duel between the two traditional clubs will probably take place in front of a full house. The FCK has already sold 48,299 tickets. “You would like to experience a setting like that,” said Grammozis. “We know that our football isn’t the best at the moment. But we can play freely in the DFB Cup.”
Broadcast on Monday, December 4th, 2023, 6:40 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
