Bremen professional in an interview
©IMAGO
Derrick Köhn has had a turbulent year: In February 2024, the full-back moved from second division club Hannover 96 to Galatasaray Istanbul, and just six months later he moved on to SV Werder Bremen on loan. The native of Hamburg knew how to impress in terms of sport on both the Bosporus and the Osterdeich. Since the move at the end of August, the Green-Whites have made 17 of 18 possible league appearances and four scorers. However, it remains to be seen where things will continue for the 25-year-old with the fine left-footed player in the summer.
In the Transfermarkt interview, Köhn recapitulates the past twelve months, talks about his time getting used to the Weser, the relationship with coach Ole Werner and Werder’s ambitions in the second half of the season. The defender with Ghanaian roots dares to look into the future and comments on the Black Stars and the DFB, his dream of the Champions League and the belief that he can do something special with Werder.
Transfer market: About a year ago you moved from Hannover 96 to Galatasaray – now you are a regular player in the Bundesliga. Was it the plan back then to gain even more attention in this country through an international club like Gala than was perhaps possible through Hannover 96 at the time?
Derrick Koehn: The move to Galatasaray was a valuable opportunity that I wanted to take advantage of. The club has a remarkable tradition, a passionate fan base and a strong international presence. My goal was to develop further in my sport, and Gala was the right step for that.
Transfer market: The time in Istanbul wasn’t long, but it was definitely successful. What is your balance sheet today?
Koehn: I was able to develop athletically, play at a high level and win titles as a regular player. As Turkish champion and Supercup winner, I look back fondly on this phase. The atmosphere in the stadium, the passion of the fans and the people around the club made this experience something beautiful for me.
Transfer market: To what extent did moving to Turkey help you develop as a footballer, and perhaps also as a person?
Koehn: Since I already had a posting abroad in the Netherlands, living and adapting in another country wasn’t completely new for me. Nevertheless, Turkey was a completely different challenge – culturally, linguistically and sportingly. As a result, I not only learned as a footballer, but also matured as a person.
Derrick Köhn signing his contract in Istanbul at the beginning of 2024
Transfer market: The summer transfer to Werder on Deadline Day 2024 happened at the last minute and under strange circumstances. Why did you decide to take the step? And were there other considerations?
Koehn: The move was a sporting decision based on several factors. The Bundesliga is one of the strongest leagues in the world, and Werder showed me a clear concept and perspective on how I can develop further here. The conversations with Ole Werner as well as with Clemens Fritz and Peter Niemeyer were very positive and gave me the feeling that I can play an important role here. In addition, Werder’s style of play suits me very well, which made my decision even easier. Another point was that I am now geographically closer to my family. There were also other options, but the combination of the sporting challenge, the right style of play and the proximity to my family tipped the balance in favor of Werder.
Köhn about Werder: “Appreciate the clear concept and family atmosphere”
Transfer market: You were one of the absolute winners in the Werder squad during the first half of the season and quickly earned a regular place. From a purely sporting perspective, how did you feel about the first few months at Werder? Why did things go so well for you?
Koehn: I found the early days here to be very positive. I was able to quickly fit into the team because the style of play suited me well and I immediately felt the coach’s trust. The clear instructions and the interaction with my teammates helped me bring my game to the pitch. In addition, my previous positions gave me the experience of quickly adapting to new environments and game systems. All of this contributed to things going well for me from the start.
Transfer market: What do you particularly value about the club, the city, the teammates…?
Koehn: What I particularly appreciate about the club is the clear concept and the family atmosphere. You can tell that everyone here is working for success and there is a lot of cohesion. The city of Bremen has its own charm – it is clear, pleasantly quiet and you quickly feel at home. What I particularly appreciate about my teammates is the open interaction and the good atmosphere within the team, which makes daily work on and off the pitch very pleasant.
Transfer market: How would you characterize Ole Werner as a coach, how would you describe your relationship?
Koehn: Ole Werner attaches great importance to clear structures and a precise game idea, which I really appreciate. He is characterized by his calm, matter-of-fact manner, which conveys a lot of trust. He makes me feel important to the team and supports me in my development. Our relationship is very good – there is an open exchange and I know exactly what he expects from me, which helps me bring my performance to the pitch.
Derrick Köhn and coach Ole Werner get along well together
Transfer market: Around the Osterdeich, many supporters have recently started to have European Cup hopes again. Do you think that’s realistic? What goals have you set for yourself for the second half of the season?
Koehn: Sure, the start to the second half of the season wasn’t ideal, and that of course makes it harder to talk about the international places. But we still believe in ourselves as a team. We have shown that we have quality and if we become more consistent in the second half of the season and bring our strengths to the pitch, a lot can still be possible. For me personally, it’s about continuing to push, deliver my performances and help the team get the best out of the season. In the end we’ll see what it’s enough for – but the belief in creating something special is definitely there.
Transfer market: You were able to fulfill your long-standing dream of playing in the Bundesliga at Werder. What personal goals and perspectives do you still have in terms of football? Is there some kind of career plan?
Koehn: Reaching the goal of the Bundesliga was an important step for me, but I don’t want to rest on my laurels. My goal is to continually develop, play at a high level and be a permanent fixture in the league in the long term. Of course, as a footballer you also think about proving yourself in the Champions League or perhaps in another top league at some point, but that is still in the future. The focus now is clearly on being successful at Werder and getting the most out of myself. I don’t have a rigid career plan, but I set milestone goals and work hard every day to achieve them.
Köhn: DFB and Ghana an honor, Werder and Gala exciting
Transfer market: In addition to German, you also have Ghanaian citizenship; the Black Stars have already courted you in the past. Which nation would you like to play for?
Koehn: Both nations mean a lot to me and I feel connected to both Germany and Ghana. I’m currently concentrating fully on my development at the club and when it comes to the national team, I’m leaving everything open. When the time comes, I will calmly consider what is the right step for my career. In any case, it would be an honor for me to play for one of the two nations.
Transfer market: You have already confirmed that you would like to stay on the Weser beyond the summer. Your contract in Istanbul runs until 2026, Werder has a purchase option, which is reportedly not small (Note d. Editor: 5 million euros). How confident are you that we will see you in the green and white jersey next season?
Koehn: I feel very comfortable in Bremen and enjoy my time here, both sportily and personally. At the same time, I am grateful to Galatasaray for giving me this opportunity. It’s important for me to continue to perform and help my team! Both options offer me exciting prospects. Everything else will be decided over time.
Interview: Thomas Deterding