Just under a month ago, Erwin Koen celebrated his 45th birthday. We ask the former RWE fan favorite: What does Erwin Koen actually do?

It’s already been 18 years since Erwin Koen played for Rot-Weiss Essen. Between 2000 and 2005, the Dutchman played 145 competitive games (36 goals, eight assists) for RWE.

“Erwiiiiin”, as RWE fans affectionately called him, has still succumbed to the RWE virus. His sons Mick (14) and Lenn (12) are also big Red-White fans and enjoy coming to Bergeborbeck on Hafenstrasse from their home in the Netherlands, 90 kilometers away.

We asked Koen, who celebrated his 45th birthday on September 7, “What is Erwin Koen doing? Erwin Koen?”

“He enjoys his life (laughs). I’m really happy with my wife and kids. We lead a great life. I work in the field and sell greeting cards at the company ‘Paperclip Cards’. We Dutch are a real greeting card country. We give and send cards for every occasion. My company profits from this. We are actually in every Dutch bookstore and train station with our cards. The Corona period has given us a real boost and has been beneficial for our business,” says Koen.

He adds, “I also super enjoy the work. I have an existing customer base and don’t have to acquire new customers. So I can really relax and enjoy working, the pressure is not there. That’s important. I had enough pressure situations in professional soccer (laughs). “

I hope we have a carefree season and stabilize in all areas – athletically, structurally and financially. Maybe then we’ll be able to attack the top in a year or two. This season is still too early, everyone should stay calm and realistic. RWE is deep in my heart and it will stay that way.

Erwin Koen

The former RWE crowd favorite can’t let go of soccer, though. He coaches the fifth-division club VV Trekvogels from Nijmegen. And he hasn’t given up on the dream of a big coaching career yet either. “We were promoted just last year and we want to play at the top again this season, which starts next weekend. I am a coach who tries to combine the German mentality and discipline with Dutch looseness and offensive soccer. That actually works out quite well,” says Koen, who has made one Bundesliga appearance and has been on the pitch 100 times in the 2nd Bundesliga and 153 times in the 3rd Liga. He also played 24 matches in the Eredivisie.

And this is where he may want to work in the future. “Most recently, a buddy of mine became coach at FC Utrecht. He wanted me on his staff, but then that didn’t quite work out. It would have to be a great package for me to resign from the greeting card job,” he says.

And RWE? Koen answers: “Of course I follow the Red-Whites. Actually daily via Forecasting.de. I read almost everything and am always well informed. I was also in the stadium against Aue last time. I hope that we have a carefree season and stabilize ourselves in all areas – athletically, structurally and financially. Maybe then we’ll be able to attack the top in one or two years’ time. This season is still too early, everyone should stay calm and realistic. RWE is deep in my heart and it will stay that way. “