Ex-Freiburg coach
Without a job – Streich sought professional help
Updated 10/10/2025 – 5:33 amReading time: 2 minutes
With Christian Streich, the Bundesliga lost one of its defining faces. After his departure, the coach initially went into hiding. Now he’s talking about what happened to him.
Christian Streich has no longer been the coach of SC Freiburg for over a year. In the summer of 2024, Breisgauer’s long-time trainer hung up his shoes for the time being. After 17 years as an assistant coach and head coach, the 60-year-old needed a break. With Streich, the Bundesliga lost one of its defining faces.
He now reported on what the South Baden resident has done since then in a conversation with moderator Johannes B. Kerner. In his “Best Cast” interview format on MagentaTV, Streich chatted about his life away from the pitch. Among other things, he took a trip through South America and explored Bilbao in Spain by bike.
But he also admitted that the transition from a full-time job on the sidelines to playing privately was not easy for him. Above all, the lack of daily structure bothered him. “And now it was all gone, no organizational framework, no structure in that sense, it’s not uncomplicated.”
He told Kerner how difficult life is for him without being a coach. He therefore sought professional, mental help. “I just spoke to the right man who was experienced.”
“Every small contribution is important because the sum of these contributions simply means that some people who are going astray will perhaps think about something,” said Streich when asked about his sometimes clear opinion pieces. During his active career, the coach repeatedly spoke out about social issues at press conferences and events.
The successful SC Freiburg coach left it open whether he would return to the Bundesliga again. “I don’t think I’ll coach a Bundesliga team again,” he initially said in response to a question from the moderator. But then he backtracked a little. “I’m not ruling anything out.”
Streich recently worked for the German Football Association (DFB) as part of an exercise campaign for children and young people. In order to encourage children and young people to take part in sports again, the association has declared the “Year of School” with a number of activities. In practice, the aim is to increasingly play football, handball or basketball in small groups at schools, similar to many clubs.
“The concept is clever,” said Streich. “There doesn’t have to be a coach standing on the sidelines giving instructions. What you need is intensity and joy,” said Streich. “Three against three or four against four is pure football.”