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VISTA: Mr. Sammer, you were FC Bayern’s sporting director from 2012 to 2016 and therefore the boss of Xherdan Shaqiri. How do you remember it?
Matthias Sammer: I think three points are important about Xherdan. First, he is a player who needs to rest for himself. The processes must be clear. Second, you have to feel a certain confidence, because you have very fine antennae. Third, you must feel that you are an important part of the group and the club. Be respected as a whole. You have to find these things again after your time in Liverpool. I remember many critical conversations that were very emotional.
You say.
In 2014 with Pep Guardiola it was just that he wanted to leave. Absolutely. That he wanted to force his movement. And then I was tasked with discussing it with him. It is a hot stimulus. I don’t see it negatively either. That is part of his path, his personality.
It is said that his brother often sat with bosses in the office and complained. Is that correct?
It was then that he changed advisors after his transfer. Away from the experienced Wolfgang Vöge, who was around 60, to younger people. I don’t want to brag if that was correct.
It was with his brother Erdin.
Yes it is. Basically, I think: sometimes you need a counterpart to challenge you. I don’t know if a brother who has the same blood as you is the right person to speak. In such heated discussions you need someone who can give you contraindications. I am a fan of a young player who has an experienced man by his side. Especially Xherdan. So for me it is not a coincidence that he got along with experienced coaches like Jupp Heynckes or Ottmar Hitzfeld. Because they give it that stability and calm. But I don’t want to say that Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp are bad coaches.
But he didn’t fit between him and Pep Guardiola on human terms either.
It’s too easy for me on the interpersonal level. But when a proud Catalan meets an emotional Swiss Albanian, then two blood groups meet, which can create a risk of explosion. It is perfectly normal. And they all react sensitively to certain behaviors. From what I’ve seen, Pep and Xherdan have always respected each other.
Even then, he suffered from muscle injuries that still accompany him today. Did you have an explanation for this internally in Bavaria?
I cannot answer that in the last detail, because I am not the expert. It is a set of muscles, it has strong and fast muscle fibers. With some players you can find the cause, with others you cannot.
In the winter of 2015 he moved to Inter Milan. It was a big mistake because Ribéry and Robben used to get injured afterwards.
Yes, but that is hypothetical. I came to know Xherdan as a person who does not want to depend on something that he cannot influence. So it was not an option for him to stay and wait for something to happen to a competitor.
A loan like that of David Alaba, who went to Hoffenheim and then came back reinforced, was it also a problem?
No. He wanted to leave immediately.
What happens to him that does not really prevail at Bayern and now also at Liverpool?
That is too negative for me. He has shown his wonderful abilities quite often. Maybe it’s a bit of bad luck that he’s never been a regular. But you don’t have to be ashamed of the fact that you didn’t play every game for two of the best clubs in the world.
In Switzerland, Shaqiri is a very polarizing character. Can you understand that from a distance?
Yes, I can understand that. Because it is special in appearance and style of play. He always wants to prove himself and is an emotional gamer. I personally love that.
You were also like that as a player.
Some think it’s cool and some don’t. That’s the lot for emotional players. Not bad, it’s authentic. Xherdan is always authentic.
You played with Stéphane Chapuisat in Dortmund for five years. Which of the two was more talented?
Difficult. Chappi was a scoundrel on the field who recognized the gaps, a little more offensive than Xherdan, who comes more from the hanging position. Swiss football can be very proud of both. One is more introverted, the other more extroverted. I would like to commend you both.
Ottmar Hitzfeld had a bowel rupture due to pressure. Was it the same for you when you had a mild stroke in 2016?
Stress certainly doesn’t help. He was almost 50 years old and he told me: he could be anything, coach, player, sports leader. Could not be better. I chose to be with my family and myself. I no longer want to be in organizations that tell me things.
You are now an advisor to Borussia Dortmund. What kind of workload do you have there?
I watch the games and we meet every two or three weeks.
You don’t speak publicly of coach Lucien Favre?
No, basically not through Borussia players or coaches.
Switzerland will play in Germany in a week and a half. How did you see the game a week ago and what kind of game are you looking forward to now?
I have been watching Swiss football for a long time and I am always delighted at how strong you have become as a football nation. You have wonderful players. Germany certainly didn’t have the best, most stable day. But I liked the way Switzerland acted in a playful way. I’m looking forward to the second game.
