Routine instead of youth, external instead of internal solution.
The Belgian Jo Coppens, 30, replaces Nico Mantl, 20, who has switched to RB Salzburg at SpVgg Unterhaching. A person with a long history - and with potential for success stories.
In an interview, he reveals why Coppen's opponent is annoying, but why his own team can not only advance with his hands.
As a "pain in the ass" in the gate of Carl Zeiss Jena, he drove Manni Schwabl to despair.
In 2018 he scored a goal out of the game: "That happened out of nowhere, you don't plan something like that."
Half of the time he trained his foot in the famous goalkeeping school of KRC Genk.
Mr Coppens, you have been between the posts at SpVgg Unterhaching for two games.
What is your impression of your new team?
Coppens:
My impression is that unfortunately we are not getting what we deserve yet.
We put a lot of energy into training and the games, but unfortunately that's not rewarded with points yet.
It's hard to accept because the guys fight very hard, the work is good - and so is the quality.
You had two unfortunate 1-0 defeats, one in Lübeck and one in the sports park against Ingolstadt.
What is the team missing besides luck?
Coppens:
That's the one million question, isn't it?
(laughs) If I could answer that exactly, I would know 100 percent that we would win in Meppen at the weekend.
It's not always that easy in football, it's also a lot about the little things.
That sounds very clichéd, but we just have to keep going full throttle to force luck on our side.
You are an experienced goalkeeper who has just arrived and still has an outside perspective.
Do you recognize a psychological problem?
It's not the first time that Haching botched a second half of the season ...
Coppens:
Good question.
Psychology is a big word.
I don't think it's a psychological problem.
Against Ingolstadt you could see that we fought to the end, for that you also need a strong psyche.
I actually tend to think that it's just little things.
We have to stay calm and focused, then things will turn around too.
You have a difficult legacy.
Nico Mantl is still a young goalkeeper, but he was very important in Haching, was an undisputed regular and a figurehead in one.
Did you get to know him before he moved to Salzburg?
Coppens:
I spoke to him briefly twice.
He's a good guy and what he's done is amazing.
So young and so constant in his performance!
I'm happy for him that he managed to do that in his own club, I think that's really cool.
You moved to Norway after relegation with Jena.
Did you not like it in Lilleström, or why did you return to Germany so quickly?
Coppens:
Yes, I really liked it, and so did my family.
But in the end I didn't play anymore, and then of course you're missing something.
The offer from Unterhaching came at the right time.
Manni Schwabl deviated from his youth course for you.
In this situation he didn't want experiments in goal, but experience.
Did he give you
Coppens:
We talked openly with each other.
The contents are kept secret, but it was a good conversation.
So good that I really want to see Haching.
Then he must have spoken again of April 28, 2019, of a home game in the relegation battle against Jena.
In a press round he recently said that he also brought you because you got on his nerves when you lost 1-0.
She would have held any ball, no matter how impossible!
Coppens:
I can still remember that game.
I had a good day there - and with Jena the momentum.
In retrospect, if you will, I was happy to be a pain in the ass (laughs).
They originally come from KRC Genk, a Belgian club known for its goalkeeping school.
In an interview, Koen Castels from VfL Wolfsburg said that 50 percent of the training time is spent there.
Can you confirm that?
Coppens:
Yes, it is.
In Genk there was one of the first young talent centers to focus on goalkeeping training.
We really trained a lot with our feet and learned to think about outfield players.
Genk is a cradle for the modern goalkeeping game, from my point of view they make it outstanding.
So you could also help out as an outfield player when the Hachinger Hot gets even bigger?
Coppens:
No, for God's sake.
That wouldn't be a good idea (laughs)!
After all, you once scored a goal out of the game, in 2018 against Bremen's second team.
How did that happen?
Coppens:
That was a coincidence.
I just wanted to stand a long ball behind the defensive chain, the keeper was a bit far in front of his goal - he was inside.
It was surprisingly not enough for “Goal of the Month”, but it was definitely a highlight of your career.
Coppens:
It was a strange feeling.
You don't plan something like that.
Then it happens out of nowhere - and the whole world writes about it.
A nice moment, but in general I prefer to cause a stir with my hands.
Only three teams in the 3rd division have scored fewer goals than the SpVgg.
What do you advise your colleagues on the offensive?
Coppens:
As a goalkeeper, it's not my place to give the strikers tips.
You should just keep going - there is always a new chance and a new ball.
Your contract will initially run until the end of the season.
Do you move on after that or would you like to settle down?
Coppens:
I also like to stay longer in one place, but in the current situation it was best to first fix it for five months.
As a goalkeeper you have a decade ahead of you at 30.
Do you still have a country or a league where you are drawn?
Coppens:
Hard to say.
Of course everyone wants to play in the Premier League one day, but you also have to be realistic.
I generally don't plan that far in advance, but rather think from week to week.
You have to live today - then tomorrow will come by itself.
Last question: How does the Belgian Jo Coppens get on with the Dutch Arie van Lent?
Coppens:
(laughs) Such rivalries don't matter.
Arie van Lent is a great guy, I also like his understanding of football.
We both have the same goal of moving Haching forward.