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Made to blast on the last day of transfer Thomas murg!
His dismissal from SK Rapid set off an explosion. His signing for PAOK Thessaloniki, of all places, in which the Verdiblancos had already lost captain Stefan Schwab, was a surprise and unexpected for many sides.
Sporting director Zoran Barisic presented the last-minute deal in such a way that Styrian, 25, wanted to leave the club. So it’s time for Murg to explain himself and describe his reasons for saying goodbye.
In LAOLA1’s exclusive interview Murg speaks for the first time about how his first international transfer actually came about, about the tough negotiations with Rapid, what influence his good friend Stefan Schwab had on him, and what was really true about Saudi Arabia’s millionaire interest.
LAOLA1: His transfer to PAOK Saloniki was almost a last minute deal! How long have you known about the interest and why did you decide to change?
Thomas Murg: I found out last week and of course I was in contact with Schwabi even before PAOK was interested, because he is a good friend. He kept telling me his impressions. Of course when he got serious I called him again and he really only gave me positive reports: about the city, the players, the team, the club, the fans. Then I realized pretty quickly that I wanted to do that. I told Rapid. I think it was a tough negotiation, but always fair between the two clubs. But then an agreement was reached, I flew to Thessaloniki yesterday, did the medical check-up and now I am very happy, even if I am tired that it worked and I am here.
LAOLA1: Rapid presented it in such a way that you absolutely wanted to leave. Because the offer was correct in this case or was it just time to take the next step?
Murg: Well, definitely gone. I think I was always fair and always communicated openly with Rapid about my goals. I said if an offer comes in, which has been made several times in the last few years but has not worked for some reason, be it Rapid or myself, I want to speak openly about it. So it was now. I approached Rapid, expressed my desire to change, and asked if I could do it. Of course, in the end there are three sides: the player and the two clubs. If I say that I want to change, it is automatically an “absolutely”. But I am very happy that the clubs have reached an agreement.
LAOLA1: In sporting terms, it is definitely an interesting challenge. But then what was really about Saudi Arabia’s million dollar interest?
Murg: There was something about it, there was an official offer. Rapid refused. Of course I also thought about that. I must honestly say that it was an incredibly difficult decision. But then I found out about PAOK. And if I had to choose between PAOK and Saudi Arabia, I would definitely have chosen PAOK.
“I think I was always fair, I always openly communicated to Rapid what my goals were. I said that when an offer came in, that it had been made several times in recent years, but for some reason it didn’t work out, either for me or for Rapid, I want to talk openly about it. That was the case now. I reached out to Rapid, expressed my desire to change and asked if I could do it. “
LAOLA1: This dichotomy brought about by the Saudi offer has sparked many discussions about whether you should choose money or sports goals at your age (25 years). What was going through your head?
Murg: Of course, there is no need to talk about the fact that money would also have been a very decisive thing in such a change. In sporting terms, of course, the world is different. Not that it had been decided in one day, but you have to really think about it. I already did partially. It’s still like this: I think the league is not as bad there as everyone thinks. But of course it would be pretty off the radar in Europe. But I don’t need to worry about it anymore. Now I am with PAOK and I am very proud of it.
LAOLA1: Plus, it was certainly a landmark decision for his entire family after he recently became a father again.
Murg: Insurance! If I had these two options, I would have always chosen PAOK. There are many other reasons, but of course also the family.
LAOLA1: What particularly attracted you to Stefan Schwab, based on his experiences in the first weeks in Thessaloniki?
Murg: In the first place, it didn’t make me feel nice. We are very, very good friends and I was in constant contact with him, actually every day or every other day. Contact with PAOK or Rapid hadn’t even been established then, so I didn’t even know anything about it. I asked him how he liked it and what it was like there and he always only reported positive things. When I found out, of course I discussed the details with him in more detail, but it soon became clear that I wanted to take this step.
LAOLA1: It’s certainly easier to get started if you already have a friend on the site. Do you see this as an added benefit?
Murg: Of course, although I have been in business for a long time, this is my first time traveling abroad. It helps if you have a good friend here who can help you find a house or other things that have a lot to do now. The association also helps me, I already had to do a medical check-up yesterday and a lot today when there is always someone from the association. You welcomed me very well and I already feel very well. But Schwabi, of course, can help me there. He knows what makes me, the individual players and the team tick, and I know what motivates him. This makes it easy for me to get started.
LAOLA1: How do you plan in principle at PAOK or what have you been promised? Captain Pelkas has left the club and has been traded to his successor.
Murg: It is true! Pelkas has achieved a lot here, he had a high level and just left the club yesterday. I don’t really care if I’m his replacement or not. I think they are planning the same for me as for Rapid. I want to play here, I am an offensive player who is there to score goals and assists. At some point I will be measured for that. It doesn’t help me if I play well all the time, but the numbers are not correct. This is how I show that I can act like Rapid and help the team with goals and assists. I’ll give everything for it.
LAOLA1: He recently gave an interview in which he wanted to take on more responsibilities at Rapid after Schwab left. Wasn’t that incentive enough for another year in green and white?
Murg: I have read it from time to time. One has nothing to do with the other. Of course, it was an option for me to stay with Rapid. In every interview where there was a change, I said: If something comes up that I decide to do with the family, I will let Rapid know. The offer did not exist a month ago. I gave an interview in which I wanted to take on more responsibilities, also because Schwabi had left. I think I did that in Rapid games too. The fact that a new situation arises later has nothing to do with the interview a month ago.
LAOLA1: Other than that, there was another small shock in Rapid with the departure of Schwab, Knoflach and Auer, who had been at the club for a long time. Has that influenced you in any way or has it changed something in you?
Murg: No, not really, because you saw that the team can still perform, we started very well in the League, we did well, we won games and we qualified for the Europa League. Of course, we knew that we would miss Schwabi, not only on but also off the field, that was clear. But we coped well in the first few weeks. That didn’t really affect my decision at all.
LAOLA1: How are the first hours and days in Thessaloniki? Do you live in a hotel? So do you catch up with family and everything else first?
Murg: I didn’t fly until Monday afternoon and was on tour until midnight with a medical checkup and all appointments. Today I got up early and I have already done everything I need with the club. First I have to look further, everything was very spontaneous now. I still have a lot to do in Austria so I will discuss with the club if I can fly home for another day or two. Then it’s about concentrating on sports, settling in and looking for a house; I hope Schwabi will help me with that. As soon as this is all done and I have come to the right place, my family will follow.
LAOLA1: His new Mediterranean foster home is not the worst. Chances are high that you will feel good quickly.
Murg: Yes, it’s really cool! I also know about Schwabi, because he kept sending me videos and photos. I’ve only been there for a few hours, I’ve seen a bit of the city, I think it’s really cool.
Text as: © LAOLA1.at
Former Rapid Schwab captain welcomes Thomas Murg to PAOK
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