Phoenix Lübeck: That’s how coach Oliver Zapel ticks

Oliver Zapel had disappeared from the big football stage for two years. How does the new coach of the regional division 1. FC Phönix Lübeck tick? What kind of guy can the players and fans expect?

The Lübecker Nachrichten asked two Phönix kickers who had already worked with Zapel at SV Eichede. Striker Haris Hyseni went hunting for goals for Stormarner in the 2013/14 season (14 goals in 35 games) and made a giant leap under the 53-year-old coach before he started his professional career (one second division and 48 third division appearances). “It was a very good time for me,” the 29-year-old looks back and describes Zapel, who most recently founded the Bergedorf-based video marketing agency “Cheggl” (start-up), as a tough trainer. “He wants to see something and has made his way,” says Hyseni, reluctantly remembering the extremely sweaty “boot camp” in the Boberger dunes in Hamburg.

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Zapel calls this survival training with beach runs, tug of war and tree trunk hauling. For the coach, who lives in Brunstorf, it’s about overcoming your inner weaker self and doing something for your mental strength. Zapel is an advocate of rock-hard work and has already announced that he will also tighten the reins significantly with the phoenixes. “There is no other way to get the guys on a level physically. I saw that the team had the greatest need, ”he emphasized after the first training session.

Football teacher with Julian Nagelsmann and Daniel Thioune

He has announced seven to eight units by the weekend, depending on how the guys would go. There were two training sessions on Tuesday. Just one day after the first test match against Rostocker FC (Saturday, 2 p.m.), the meticulous Zapel, who made his soccer teacher with today’s Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann and ex-HSV coach Daniel Thioune, scheduled a run on the beach at 8:30 a.m. – his new team gets to know him from his best side right away. The father of the family (two children, son Lennox plays in Eichedes U15) is also known for his human nature. “Oli is a very correct guy,” said Hyseni. After the common Eich der Zeit, they stayed in contact. “I’m glad he’s with us,” said the top scorer.

Zapel: “Attack is the soul of the game”

Nico Fischer describes Zapel as an outstanding coach. The 32-year-old defensive player was already captain in Eichede under him. “I was surprised, but I’m looking forward to the project with Oli”, “Fischi” explained to the LN and added: “He is always well prepared. The training is always tailored to the opponent. He also speaks the language of the team. The overall package fits. ”There is only one direction on the pitch: forward. “Attack is the soul of the game”, is Zapel’s game philosophy, “the team has to act, not react.”

If you step out of line, you might run into problems …

With his players he values ​​important basic virtues: “Trust, honesty, respect, discipline, loyalty, hard work and, above all, professionalism.” These are the essential values ​​of cooperation. As soon as the players enter the cabin during training, they should have an eye on their bodies. If you step out of line with him, you might run into problems …

From Volker Giering