The Daily Mail went to meet Sami Hyypiä in Lapland.
Sami Hyypia, 50, wants to enjoy life after busy playing and coaching years. Matti Matikainen
One of the biggest futs legends in Finland sami Hyypiä British magazine presented the wonders of Finland on a snowmobile for the Daily Mail.
In addition, he recalled his career in Liverpool, which began in 1999. The Finn moved to the club from the Dutch Willem II for a transfer fee of just under three million euros.
– When I came to Liverpool, nobody knew me. It was like a dream. I never wanted to be a famous person, I wanted to live life as an ordinary person, Hyypia recalls.
However, that changed quickly when he became one of Liverpool’s key players.
– After the first season, we went out and when I entered the first pub, someone said: “Hey, it’s Sami”. I thought, what is really going on here, Hyypia says.
The long-haired topper did not enjoy the attention he received, but on the other hand, it also told him that things had been done correctly.
Gerrard dodged
Hyypia began serving as Liverpool’s captain in 2001. A couple of years later, he was given the captain’s armband For Steven Gerrardwhen the team’s games had gone badly.
– I still remember the day when Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson told me Stevie was going to be captain.
After the announcement at the end of training, Hyypia went to look for Gerrard, but he was nowhere to be found.
– The next morning I saw his car, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. I don’t know if he was trying to hide because he thought I was upset about it.
In the end, Hyypia saw the new skipper in the dressing room before training, tying his shoes.
– He turned his head away from me, but then I said: “Good luck, you’ve earned it. If I need help, I’m always there for you.”
Gerrard immediately relaxed.
– It was amazing to see how he developed. He could have played any position.
The story continues after the picture.
Hyypia served as Liverpool’s skipper in the early 2000s. PDO
Scary situation
Hyypiä also remembers a restaurant dinner with his teammates from his Liverpool days, because it was suddenly interrupted due to a shooting incident.
– It was quite scary. Shots and screaming, says Hyypia.
At the time of the incident, 8-9 friends were sitting at the same table as the Finn.
– We all jumped behind the wall to hide. When we came back, Christian Ziege was still sitting at the table. He hadn’t moved anywhere. He was time cool!
The criticism hurt
After his playing career, Hyypia coached Leverkusen, Brighton and Zurich in 2012–2016. At the moment, he does not want to return to coaching.
– Management positions interest me, but I don’t like the direction business is going in that field. I don’t really know if I want to be part of it.
It is very sad that the action is no longer very long-lasting. The patience of club bosses may not be enough if losses start to accumulate at the very beginning.
– When you go to something, you should win right away. Managers are fired after only three months, which is ridiculous. I personally believe in a longer process.
Hyup also didn’t like the pressure on the Manager.
– When you lose as a manager, criticism and malice are directed at only one guy. It made me feel uncomfortable. I wasn’t tough enough, Hyypia says directly.
He still doesn’t regret the decisions he made or change anything.
– I should have been more demanding and protected myself more. At almost every club I worked at, I had little or nothing to say about player transfers, which made it very difficult.
Central striker!
Hyypia, who turned 50 in October, now wants to enjoy life. He keeps himself in good physical shape with, among other things, cross-country skiing.
– I took part in a 70 kilometer race last year. I like challenging myself.
The former top player longs for dressing room life in his playing career. Fortunately, he has found a perfect remedy for that in his hobby of hockey.
– I’m currently a center forward! the former defender reveals.
Sami Hyypia plays ice hockey. Miikka Jääskeläinen / AOP