On Friday, Ilyas Trenz will sit on the bench as coach in the third division for the first time. This is how he wants to get Alemannia Aachen back on track.
On Wednesday, Ilyas Trenz sat on the podium for the first time as head coach before a third division game. The 28-year-old didn’t let it show. With complete conviction, a lot of self-confidence, and a zest for action, he looked ahead to the away game against Wehen Wiesbaden (Friday, 7 p.m.).
The interim coach had had a “turbulent few days” following the dismissal of head coach Benedetto Muzzicato. He had not been involved in the dismissal process. Rachid Azzouzi, managing director of sports, had simply called him after the decision had been made. The question of whether he would take over the interim position had not even been raised. “To be honest, Rachid didn’t even ask me,” said Trenz with a laugh. “Because it’s obvious. I know the team and have a good feeling about what’s needed. I’m not afraid and I like taking on responsibility. I have a good team at my side and on the pitch.”
What’s important now? ” Calm, clarity, prudence, and focus on what’s really important,“ he said, emphasizing: ”We have to tune out the noise and prepare the team. The task is huge, but we’re not afraid; we’re very confident.“
After eleven games, Alemannia Aachen is in third-to-last place, having won only three games. ”We all take that personally. We’ve closed the door, told ourselves the truth, and focused on what matters now.“
What is that? ”After Schweinfurt, we conceded the most big chances,“ said Trenz, adding: ”That’s what it’s all about: consistency in defense, clarity, compactness, and still having the team high up the field so that we can play to our strengths.”
Because his team has “great offensive players with high individual quality and fast defenders. The team dictates how we play.” Not much will change in terms of the basic idea of how the team is structured and formed. But: “Clarity, compactness, aggressiveness, intensity. Those will be the things that set us apart.”
On Friday, the former assistant coach will have to do without Mika Hanraths, Fabio Torsiello, Gianluca Gaudino, Jeremias Lorch, Matti Wagner, Nils Winter, Lamar Yarbrough, and Lukas Scepanik. Niklas Castelle’s participation is questionable.