After resigning because of the Ukraine war: German football coach criticizes predecessor and stays in Moscow
Created: 05/21/2022, 10:51 am
By: Patrick Mayer
Former Germany international Marvin Compper explains his decision to remain as Lokomotiv Moscow coach.
His predecessor resigned because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Munich/Moscow - Russia's war of aggression is raging in Ukraine and a former German international is a football coach in Moscow.
We're talking about Marvin Compper.
The Swabian, who comes from Tübingen, once played for Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1899 Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
In the Russian Premier League, the 36-year-old coaches traditional club Lokomotiv.
His predecessor Markus Gisdol resigned because of the Ukraine war - but Compper stayed in the Russian capital.
Despite the Russia-Ukraine war: Marvin Compper remains coach of Lokomotiv Moscow
A resignation?
This scenario is apparently not an issue for the former defender from the Ländle.
“I can understand the irritation of many people when you see how the media is handling this topic.
Athletes have always been forbidden to make political statements.
And suddenly I'm asked to say something about the political situation," Compper said in an interview with
Sport1
: "I don't understand that.
Why should I allow myself to be exploited now to make political statements?”
Why should I allow myself to be exploited now to make political statements?
Marvin Compper, German coach of Lokomotiv Moscow
His whereabouts in Moscow are “not a statement in any other direction either.
I stay out of politics completely.
I started a job here that revolves around our project, the players and the team around it.
I'm not the only one who came here," he said, adding: "I'm a team player, I don't just think about myself and I don't just run away when pressure comes from outside.
I gave my coaching team a lot of thought and considered whether that was morally justifiable.” A pointer to his predecessor.
Because of the Russia-Ukraine war: Markus Gisdol resigned from Lokomotiv Moscow
The 52-year-old Swabian Gisdol justified his resignation on March 1 with just such moral concerns.
At the time, he explained to
Bild
and
Sport Bild
: "For me, football coaching is the best job in the world.
But I cannot pursue my calling in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression in the middle of Europe.
That is not in line with my values, which is why I have resigned from my position as coach of Lokomotiv Moscow with immediate effect.
I can't stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and a few kilometers away orders are given that bring great suffering to an entire people.
That is my personal decision and I am absolutely convinced of it.”
Lokomotiv Moscow coach: Marvin Compper (left).
© IMAGO / SNA
Compper, who played an international match for Germany (1-2 against England) in Berlin on November 19, 2008, has now criticized his former boss Gisdol, under whom he was a match analyst, because of the resignation.
"I don't understand that way at all.
That was a night and fog action by Gisdol.
But I don't want to step down, everyone has to decide something for themselves," said Compper
Sport1
- and explained his own point of view.
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Marvin Compper: Lokomotiv Moscow coach justifies staying in Moscow
“We decided to stay because we work with young people and not only Russian but Croatian, Polish and French guys.
A player from France only came to Moscow in January because we brought him.
Just running away now wouldn't be fair to this boy.
That doesn't correspond to my values either," he said, and explained: "There's no question that I condemn the war.
We don't have to discuss that.
But the job, the project and our vision to push something forward always had priority.
Running away and leaving scorched earth in my wake is not in my nature."
(pm)
