Meyer Unveiled as Eintracht Frankfurt Head Coach
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How does it feel to take your first head coach job at your hometown club?
"It's an honour, I'm delighted to have this opportunity. I've worked hard and waited patiently for my moment to come and I'm looking forward to putting what I've learned, my ideas and philosophy to the test in the Bundesliga."
What is your philosophy? What can the Frankfurt fans expect from a 'Meyer' team?
"Come on, lets not make it easy for the other Bundesliga league managers and their staff by giving them a tactical breakdown in this press conference... but for the fans, I like to attack and score goals and I like to defend and not concede goals...[chuckles] I have different ideas on how to do that. The fans can expect to come and enjoy the games. Be entertained, but equally I like to do so in a way that is progressive and patient. Waiting for the right moments you see. I'm sure you'll be able to write a lovely breakdown on my style over the coming months, when you do, send it me. I'd love to read it."
You come to the club at a time in which there has been some big questions asked about the direction they are heading, do you have a message for the fans regarding this?
"No nothing new, I echo the club's statement a couple of days ago and I am committed to taking this club forward with a shared vision, one that I hope all of our supporters can buy into and one in which I can make clear everyone inside of the club believes in."
You lost Luka Jovic, Sebastian Haller and Ante Rebic this summer and its rumoured you like to play with a specific type of defensive midfielder, do you have the players to replace them or will you go into the transfer market?
"Any club who loose players of that quality are going to have to replace them eventually, however, the situation isn't as bad as the media would lead everyone to believe. Of course who wouldn't want a terrific attacking trio? We have some young players here who I obviously know well and am willing to give a chance to impress in the first team. We have Andre on loan from Milan, and we signed Bas before I arrived and of course they will be a part of my plans. You are correct about my desire for a very particular defensive midfielder who has a certain set of skill. I'm willing to work with Dominik to see if he has those qualities, however, he may be better in a more advanced central position only time will tell. We have a modest budget and you may see one or two arrive and one or two depart but don't expect major changes in this first window."
What do you say to those who didn't think you were the right man for the club, maybe those who wanted Niko Kovač to return or a more experienced manager?
"I understand them, what they have to know is that Niko simply wasn't an option and as for my experience I can only hope to win them over with time. What I've done at this club at a developmental level has shown my commitment to taking this club forward and I believe I have what it takes to be successful here. I only hope the fans give me time, and eventually feel the same way. As Mr Klopp said when he signed for Liverpool, it's not about what people think at the start of your time, but at the end."
Speaking of the end, It's suggested that you one day you dream of managing Borussia Dortmund, what do you have to say on that?
"You know, I anticipated this question, it's a rather ridiculous thought ... obviously, I love Borussia Dortmund, I've been vocal about that my entire life. Lucien Favre is the right man for the job. He is a world class experienced coach and I wouldn't want anyone else in charge at Dortmund. I am delighted to be in charge at my hometown club. Frankfurt is my focus and I will do everything in my power to bring success here. I'm wearing my Frankfurt Pyjamas."
And in the future?
"Who knows what the future holds. I'm not a genie. For me as supporter of Dortmund, Lucien being the head coach for as long as possible is only good for the club. I signed a two-year deal here, and of course the club will consider if they want to extend that at a later date, and my sole focus is to bring success to Frankfurt."
What are your thoughts on Lucien's and also Jurgen Klopp's words on your arrival at Frankfurt?
"It's not a secret that I admire Lucien and the way he sets up his teams. I'm grateful for his kind words. I didn't know Mr Klopp had said anything, what did he say?"
He said "I don't know a lot about him, I hear he supported Dortmund right? so that's cool. Best of luck to him at Frankfurt."
[Laughs] " He doesn't know a lot about me... I'm just glad he's actually heard of me."
What did Julian Nagelsmann say to you about managing in Germany?
"Julian and I did our coaching badges together as you know. We spoke as I was preparing and he told me that it would be risk taking the job here... considering we play RB Leipzig on the second game of the season and he wouldn't show me any mercy. I told him not to worry about his mercy, but to worry about my team. We have an excellent relationship. He's an excellent coach and an even better guy and I'm looking forward to battling against him and his team in a few weeks, and hopefully for years to come."
Finally, you've had a hairstyle change since you signed for the club, what prompted the change?
"Well, you see, my computer stopped working. So we lost the old cut and had to get a new one and I fancied the blonde locks. Fortunately, we'd not got too far into pre-season so the fresh look didn't cost us too much."
Interesting words from new Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Ludwig Meyer. Next up - Frankfurt head into pre-season, we'll give you a breakdown of friendlies, new signings, and see if Frankfurt can qualify for the Europa League group stages with qualifiers coming up.
How does it feel to take your first head coach job at your hometown club?
"It's an honour, I'm delighted to have this opportunity. I've worked hard and waited patiently for my moment to come and I'm looking forward to putting what I've learned, my ideas and philosophy to the test in the Bundesliga."
What is your philosophy? What can the Frankfurt fans expect from a 'Meyer' team?
"Come on, lets not make it easy for the other Bundesliga league managers and their staff by giving them a tactical breakdown in this press conference... but for the fans, I like to attack and score goals and I like to defend and not concede goals...[chuckles] I have different ideas on how to do that. The fans can expect to come and enjoy the games. Be entertained, but equally I like to do so in a way that is progressive and patient. Waiting for the right moments you see. I'm sure you'll be able to write a lovely breakdown on my style over the coming months, when you do, send it me. I'd love to read it."
You come to the club at a time in which there has been some big questions asked about the direction they are heading, do you have a message for the fans regarding this?
"No nothing new, I echo the club's statement a couple of days ago and I am committed to taking this club forward with a shared vision, one that I hope all of our supporters can buy into and one in which I can make clear everyone inside of the club believes in."
You lost Luka Jovic, Sebastian Haller and Ante Rebic this summer and its rumoured you like to play with a specific type of defensive midfielder, do you have the players to replace them or will you go into the transfer market?
"Any club who loose players of that quality are going to have to replace them eventually, however, the situation isn't as bad as the media would lead everyone to believe. Of course who wouldn't want a terrific attacking trio? We have some young players here who I obviously know well and am willing to give a chance to impress in the first team. We have Andre on loan from Milan, and we signed Bas before I arrived and of course they will be a part of my plans. You are correct about my desire for a very particular defensive midfielder who has a certain set of skill. I'm willing to work with Dominik to see if he has those qualities, however, he may be better in a more advanced central position only time will tell. We have a modest budget and you may see one or two arrive and one or two depart but don't expect major changes in this first window."
What do you say to those who didn't think you were the right man for the club, maybe those who wanted Niko Kovač to return or a more experienced manager?
"I understand them, what they have to know is that Niko simply wasn't an option and as for my experience I can only hope to win them over with time. What I've done at this club at a developmental level has shown my commitment to taking this club forward and I believe I have what it takes to be successful here. I only hope the fans give me time, and eventually feel the same way. As Mr Klopp said when he signed for Liverpool, it's not about what people think at the start of your time, but at the end."
Speaking of the end, It's suggested that you one day you dream of managing Borussia Dortmund, what do you have to say on that?
"You know, I anticipated this question, it's a rather ridiculous thought ... obviously, I love Borussia Dortmund, I've been vocal about that my entire life. Lucien Favre is the right man for the job. He is a world class experienced coach and I wouldn't want anyone else in charge at Dortmund. I am delighted to be in charge at my hometown club. Frankfurt is my focus and I will do everything in my power to bring success here. I'm wearing my Frankfurt Pyjamas."
And in the future?
"Who knows what the future holds. I'm not a genie. For me as supporter of Dortmund, Lucien being the head coach for as long as possible is only good for the club. I signed a two-year deal here, and of course the club will consider if they want to extend that at a later date, and my sole focus is to bring success to Frankfurt."
What are your thoughts on Lucien's and also Jurgen Klopp's words on your arrival at Frankfurt?
"It's not a secret that I admire Lucien and the way he sets up his teams. I'm grateful for his kind words. I didn't know Mr Klopp had said anything, what did he say?"
He said "I don't know a lot about him, I hear he supported Dortmund right? so that's cool. Best of luck to him at Frankfurt."
[Laughs] " He doesn't know a lot about me... I'm just glad he's actually heard of me."
What did Julian Nagelsmann say to you about managing in Germany?
"Julian and I did our coaching badges together as you know. We spoke as I was preparing and he told me that it would be risk taking the job here... considering we play RB Leipzig on the second game of the season and he wouldn't show me any mercy. I told him not to worry about his mercy, but to worry about my team. We have an excellent relationship. He's an excellent coach and an even better guy and I'm looking forward to battling against him and his team in a few weeks, and hopefully for years to come."
Finally, you've had a hairstyle change since you signed for the club, what prompted the change?
"Well, you see, my computer stopped working. So we lost the old cut and had to get a new one and I fancied the blonde locks. Fortunately, we'd not got too far into pre-season so the fresh look didn't cost us too much."
Interesting words from new Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Ludwig Meyer. Next up - Frankfurt head into pre-season, we'll give you a breakdown of friendlies, new signings, and see if Frankfurt can qualify for the Europa League group stages with qualifiers coming up.
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