Patrick Helmes has been back at Sportfreunde Siegen since the beginning of the year. Just under three weeks have passed since he took over as coach. Time for a first summary.

Patrick Helmes is back at his youth and first senior club, Sportfreunde Siegen. Since the beginning of the year, the 13-time international has been working as a coach on the Sportfreunde sidelines. In an interview, Helmes sums up the first three weeks.

Patrick Helmes on…

… his first impression of the team: “It’s my home. That’s basically a good feeling. Working again is also a good feeling. Accordingly, the first few weeks were a process of getting to know the team, as it is. It’s about getting to know each other and that worked out quite well.”

… the first test matches: “Only the match against Düren was cancelled. The other three took place as planned. They were like test matches are – there were good and not so good moments. But that’s what the games are for. That was also the problem in the first half of the season: despite a lot of talent, the team was often inconsistent. And we still have to get the boys to perform more often.”

… the new co-trainer Lars Toborg: “I chose Lars. We don’t have the financial resources to cover everything. For example, we don’t have an athletics coach. So I can’t entice people with financial means, but need people who are willing to work hard for little money. Lars is now a civil servant teacher and has an interesting CV. The pedagogical effect as a teacher is also a great advantage when dealing with the players, which is also totally important. So he thought about it for a moment, found it interesting and is now part of the team. We are happy about that and in the first few days he is already doing very well.”

… the approaching league restart against TuS Bövinghausen: “The start will probably be difficult due to the weather. There’s snow here in Siegen and the temperatures are below zero, so I expect the game to be cancelled.”

… possible changes in the squad and the target for the rest of the season: “Basically, it will stay like this, we don’t have any big options. But the team, if it stays injury-free, is definitely capable of staying in the Oberliga. That’s what it’s all about for us. We’re currently three points above the line and there’s a reason why we’re there. So we’re really just looking to get the boys fired up. They have to believe that we are capable of playing to their potential more often. If we can do that, we’ll get the points we need. “