When people talk about African teams, there are six experts sitting there, but no one has any idea about African football. They spew clichés from 1950: ‘Africans are strong and athletic. We know how the Africans play.’ No! Congo plays different football than Ghana, Ghana plays different football than Morocco and Morocco plays different football than Ivory Coast. If you don’t know anything about it, you shouldn’t talk about it.
So there is a lack of diversity?
So many experts were brought in, but they are all just experts for Germany. Not more. They also comment on other games. The World Cup is colorful, the cast is not.
Have you been asked as an expert?
Do you think they asked anyone who knew anything about African football? Then the cast would be different.
There’s a problem: Müller and Klopp aren’t as funny as them.
Hans Sarpei
Would you take on such a role if a request came?
Basically yes. But it was Magenta’s intention to put together such a team. Their aim is to get the biggest Germans available in order to generate as much attention as possible.
Müller and Klopp in particular are trying a relaxed, humorous approach. It is somewhat comparable to the style of US broadcaster CBS, where the ex-professionals Thierry HenryJamie Carragher and Micah Richards will lead through Champions League evenings together with presenter Kate Scott. How do you like that?
There’s a problem: Müller and Klopp aren’t as funny as them.
CBS has a diverse mix, everyone brings something to the table, they all have fun. This is what sets the format apart. This doesn’t work with magenta, it’s all about names – German ones if possible.