Future open
©IMAGO
Cedric Teuchert is back in Germany – at least for the time being. Two years after his move from Hannover 96 to St. Louis City SC, the 29-year-old looks back on his MLS adventure in the Transfermarkt interview, but also looks forward and talks about new goals and challenges.
Because exactly what will happen next for the attacker after his contract ends on June 30th is currently unclear. St. Louis is leaving an extension option unused, but another MLS club could take it. The former U21 national player, however, is interested in returning to Europe. “I’m up for an ambitious task,” says Teuchert, who at 29 sees himself as “the perfect age” to take on a role with responsibility in the future. In the TM interview, Teuchert talks about concrete discussions and options, Hannover 96’s bitter season finale and a possible return to Lower Saxony, his personal development in the MLS, the appeal of a new chapter and why nothing has been decided yet.
Transfer market: Cedric, looking back today on your move in the summer of 2024: Were St. Louis and the MLS exactly the adventure you were looking for?
Cedric Teuchert: Yes definitely. The MLS is now a top league that is absolutely on the rise. You notice that everywhere here and in the last few months you have also felt the hype with a view to the upcoming World Cup. Football in the USA has generally caught up significantly compared to other popular sports and leagues such as the NFL or the NBA. The MLS has taken a big step forward in recent years, both as an “experience”, as they like to say here, but especially in terms of football.
Transfer market: The attention has increased not least because of transfers like yours and big names like Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller.
Teuchert: This certainly played its part in promoting the popularity of the league on other continents. But of course the MLS hasn’t reached everyone yet and there will still be people in Europe who wouldn’t call it a top league. But I can say from my own experience and comparison: There is a lot of quality and the sporting structures and conditions are at least equivalent, if not better, than in Europe. That’s why I really enjoyed playing here and competing as a player in this league.
Transfer market: In general, what surprised you most about your time in the USA – in terms of sport, culture or just everyday life?
Teuchert: As far as my personal experience is concerned, I can say that people are incredibly open-minded and helpful. If someone notices that you are new, maybe don’t feel completely acclimatized yet, have problems with the language or something similar, then they will take care of you and welcome you. That really impressed me and I saw it as something very positive in everyday life outside of club life.
Transfer market: You had a great start in terms of sport in St. Louis, with seven goals and four assists in the first 14 games, you directly built on your strong performances from the previous season in the second division. You didn’t seem to have any problems adjusting on the pitch back then.
Teuchert: I had almost four weeks before my first game to get to know the team, to acclimatize without pressure and to get used to my teammates’ routines in training. I also flew to two away games back then, even though I wasn’t allowed to play yet. Looking back, that was certainly a plus point and also a decisive factor in why I was able to hit the ground running.
Teuchert about the MLS adventure: “The second season was the most difficult”
Transfer market: 2025 then became much more complicated: new sporting management, new coach, plus injuries and a partially different role. Was that the most difficult phase for you in these two years?
Teuchert: The second season was definitely the most difficult for me. After I arrived, we played a good half-series, and in my opinion the chemistry in the team and with the coach was very good. The club still decided to hire a new coach. Such a measure is always accompanied by an adaptation and discovery process. There are changes in tactics and playing style that you have to adapt to as a team and as an individual. In terms of sport, this was reflected despite a good start with four games without conceding a goal and we never really got going over the summer. Personally, I suffered an injury that unfortunately sidelined me from August until the end of the season. Nevertheless, I was personally able to take a lot with me from this time.
Transfer market: For example?
Teuchert: Of course it hurts when you’re out due to an injury and can’t help the team. Such a long outage over several months was completely new for me. But during this phase I tried to always focus on the positive and focus on that. I was able to use the rehab to work on my physique overall and to tweak areas that have brought me significantly further forward in my opinion. Today I feel physically fit.
Transfer market: You are only 29 years old, but you can already look back on eleven years of professional football. Do you now perceive your body differently than, for example, five or six years ago? Have you made any adjustments in terms of load control?
Teuchert: I would say that in the last two years I have learned to know my body differently and to deal with it more consciously. Also due to the changes in terms of stress that everyday league life brings with it. For example, we played eight of 14 games away from home this year, so you really travel a lot and feel like you’re flying somewhere every three days. The trips are often significantly longer than you are used to in Germany. Of course, the body has to get used to these strains between the hard training sessions and games; you need a lot of additional regeneration time.
Transfer market: And the risk of injury increases.
Teuchert: Of course it depends. You have to listen to your body 100 percent and work even harder on yourself to prevent injuries. This is not possible without additional physio sessions. We had great conditions in St. Louis that we were able to take advantage of as players.
Transfer market: In addition to travel, the climate in the USA is also a factor that is being discussed again and again, especially these days and with a view to the World Cup. What experiences have you had with this?
Teuchert: We have experienced everything. (laughs) Artificial turf is of course also an issue. Summer in St. Louis is extremely hot, so we usually played in the evenings. When we once had a kick-off time at 1 p.m., it was comparatively brutal – it felt like the game had already lasted an hour, but it was only twelve minutes over. (laughs) But you have that elsewhere too. In Texas, for example, we had to play in temperatures of around 36 degrees several times.
Teuchert about his experiences in the USA: “Looking back, a bit proud”
Transfer market: With your experience, is there anything you would advise a German professional who wants to make the step into the MLS?
Teuchert: Personally, I am very happy to have taken this step. Because it helped me develop both athletically and personally. I think the latter is also what I would give as a positive factor to anyone who is thinking about such a step. Of course, there are always difficulties, but in the end the positive experiences outweigh the negatives. Even as a family with two children, it wasn’t always easy for us in a new country. You have to approach things with an open mind, but by taking on new challenges you also learn and develop.
Transfer market: Were there things on and off the pitch over the past two years that you missed from Germany?
Teuchert: Of course you miss your friends and your familiar surroundings, that’s clear. And as just mentioned, it is sometimes easier as a family if, for example, your grandparents or siblings are not a 14-hour flight away. But as a strong team, we always managed somehow, even in the more difficult phases. So, looking back, it makes my wife and I a little proud to be able to say that we achieved this together.
Transfer market: Your contract expires on June 30th. St. Louis would have had an option until the end of 2026, but has already said goodbye to you. How specifically is your future clarified?
Teuchert: I am currently back in Germany and at home in Hanover. I’m open to the next step. The option can also be drawn by another MLS club. But I’ll also say honestly: I’m really excited to play in Europe again. As mentioned, I have developed further as a player and am up for an ambitious task.
Transfer market: What does the next station have to fulfill so that you can say: This is the right step for the next two or three years?
Teuchert: Several factors always play a role, but of course the overall package has to be right. There should be a perspective and a clear plan. At 29, I feel like I’m at a perfect age and have seen and experienced a lot. I want to contribute my experience and quality and am self-confident enough to take on a responsible role within an ambitious team on and off the pitch.
Cedric Teuchert contributed 47 scorers in 97 competitive games for Hannover 96 between 2022 and 2024.
Transfer market: The question is obvious given your past and your family background – would it be conceivable for you to return to 96?
Teuchert: (laughs) That would of course be conceivable. I know the area, I know the city and had a great time at 96 – I would be lying if I said no.
Transfer market: Did you follow the club’s dramatic end to the season by missing out on relegation?
Teuchert: Yes, I still have some contacts in the team and of course I always follow the games – if possible. It was of course bitter that it wasn’t enough for third place in the end. It felt like we had three match points and of course I know from experience how great the euphoria around the club is. Nevertheless, 96 played a very strong season, especially considering the big upheaval in the previous summer.
Transfer market: Finally, let’s look ahead again: Are there already concrete discussions with clubs about the summer of 2026?
Teuchert: There are discussions, but nothing has been decided yet. We just had our last game last weekend, I’ve been back in Germany for a few days now and will be going on vacation with my family soon. After that we’ll see what happens.
Interview: Thomas Deterding
