Saturday, 14 January 2023
Noon
"Alright, lets get started," Thomas Hengen said.
"Armenia Bielefeld are on a twelve match unbeaten run," Niklas Boll of Kicker said. "They lie fourth in the table. This will be a tough encounter for Kaiserlautern, ja? How do you see the match going?"
"They're a quality team and we've got a real challenge on our hands," I replied.
"They just beat Bayern in the DFB Pokal," Jakob Böttcher of the Kaiserslautern Express said. "That was a stunning victory. Are you worried that this will give them a lift against you?"
"Ja, they were impressive, weren't they?" I replied. "They're on a real high right now. We are prepared for a tough match."
"Please comment on the COVID epidemic sweeping through Kaiserslautern?" Florian Carre of OneFootball asked.
"Ja, we have some positive tests," I said. "We're short-staffed in the kitchen which worries me most. I mean, I love our kitchen staff. They take really good care of us. I want them healthy and back cooking for us. Ironically, two physios are out quarantining. Two more in the office staff are out, too. Um, a groundskeeper and Jürgen from IT. Jörg Weber and Filip Trojan are both out. Lorenzo Filippini and his wife, too. Lorenzo is our only player with it. I will say we've been incredibly lucky so far. Jörg and Lorenzo have it the worst. With that said, everyone is vaccinated and has the latest boosters so the impact is not life threatening. Jörg and Lorenzo will be fine, they are just suffering the worst from it."
"So you're most worried about the kitchen staff?" Florian followed up.
"Ja, and now I'll be in trouble with everyone else," I replied. "Let me just restate for the record that I love and appreciate everyone who works for Kaiserslautern."
"Keep talking," Florian said. "I want to see who else you'll get in trouble with next."
"No, I'm done. Not saying anything else on that topic. Next?"
"Please comment on the links to the open job at Köln?" Jakob Böttcher asked.
"Nobody has approached me," I said. "I'm not interested. I look forward to taking them on next season when we're in the Bundesliga."
"So you are confident Kaiserslautern will be promoted?" Jakob asked.
"Ja."
"Nikolaj Möller was recalled by Arsenal," Florian said. "Are you disappointed? Please comment."
"No, I'm not," I said. "I'm not. Mikael Arteta wants him playing and he didn't impress me. So we thought it best to end the loan."
"So you'll be adding a forward this transfer window?" Florian asked.
"Ja, that is our intention."
"Please comment on the rumors linking you to Spanish side Alcorcon's Oscar Clemente?" Niklas asked.
"Who?"
"Oscar Clemente," Niklas repeated.
I shrugged.
"Statistics show your squad are the most proficient tacklers in the 2.Liga," Jakob said. "Yet from watching the matches, the players sit back and wait for the opposition to misplace a pass or make some mistake. Please comment?"
"Mmm ... good question, Jakob," I said. "Ja, we let them have the ball. We are patient. We are confident they can't beat us except with something brilliant or lucky."
"Alright, thats all the questions today," Thomas Hengen said. "Thanks, guys."