Boateng: Critical Guardiola made me №1
Boateng: Critical Guardiola made me №1
- Herr Boateng, you're a footballer №1 Germany for season 2015/16. What was your first reaction when you heard the news?
- I was surprised. I did not know what he meant. I never expected it.
- You whom would you choose?
- Difficult question. But Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski would be candidates.
- Received almost twice as many votes than the second (Muller) and third (Lewandowski) together.
- It is hard to believe. This difference is really surprising. But perhaps due to the fact that a long period of time playing very consistently.
- The last great defender before you is Jurgen Kohler in 1997
- It makes my election now even better time. At the time, Kohler was a defender of global fund, but I am a completely different type of player. Football lot has changed and the requirements are quite different.
- If you go back to the small Jerome, who was kicked in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, how you feel with regard to the award now?
- I can not describe the thoughts running through my head. Of course I'm very proud to achieve something. The award is special because as a small play and emulate their idols, and now they elected player of the year.
- Debut for the senior team of Germany in 2009 in Russia and immediately received a red card. Then we could not imagine that will walk this path.
- Surely I thrive over the past 7 years I see him. It is not always easy. At Bayern there was a time when things did not go and I was criticized a lot. But the most important thing was to stay true to yourself and to walk my own path.
- What is not known is that many working individually to improve your game.
- So I'm still a little boy. I have always been very ambitious. I watched rises my older brother Kevin-Prince and I wanted to be like him. He was the most beloved of the field with slag and pressed so many tricks. My ambition was and then. I always want to get better.
- Thus it happened, especially since the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Bayern in 2013
- Pep got many things to me. The second time I saw him, he took me into his office and showed a series of recordings of struggles for the ball. Then he said, 'That is not so, it is not so, and it must do it better. " I was surprised because it was a serious criticism. But quickly I realized that he wanted to help me and saw potential in me. We worked hard in the game plan, and tactical, and my behavior in the struggle for the ball. Guardiola helped me a lot.
- There are players who would have resistance to such assistance.
- I am not among them all. Sometimes I also contradicted him, and he tried to better explain their ideas. Then there was no more reason to oppose him.
- The style that Guardiola Bayern have generally fit you well.
- Yes, very fit me. I like to be very carried forward and pressed. This approach makes sense, although it is very risky. And when you receive should not run continuously 40 meters back and forth.
- In Bayern are from 2011. Do you realize that your status is now completely different?
- Yes, I developed both on the field and outside it, including as a person. I gained experience grew. As in sports and personally. My development is part of the game and it is important that I am no longer as it was in 2011
- Arrived in Munich from Manchester City, where you went in 2010 this was the decisive moment in your career?
- It can be said. Then I went to England with other expectations. I felt good out there, but what manager Roberto Mancini does not seem to fit. I was told that I will use as a central defender, but was not the case. Moreover, I had injuries. I was surprised when Bayern asked me at any cost. They do not give up easily. A transfer was not easy, it is spoken today. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said it was distressing to negotiate with the City.
- In 2011, dropped from the national team.
- Therefore, my first thought was to go to Germany. I was out of radar Bundestima and nobody watched my matches. Therefore, when Bayern asked me, get so good. This was my chance to start over.
- What is your contact with the new Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti?
- Along the summer holidays and injury we have not seen much. Otherwise it makes a positive impression on both me and the team.
- Italian prefers to be close to the players. Did you like this approach?
- It is important relationship with the coach to be good. Every coach is different, but what you can achieve on the basis of a good relationship is seen in Jupp Heynckes. Some need more closeness, others less. I straighten in both cases.
- Now in Bayern and Mats Hummels. What will change in his presence?
- In Bundestima always we fit very well. It's an amazing defender. He was captain at Borussia Dortmund. In the national team game we received very well and I hope that Bayern will get that. In any case, it is a bonus for the club.
- Who will give commands? Will you continue to be chief of the defense of Bayern?
- Personally for me will not change much. In team'm a bit longer, he now returns. I can not say that things will conduct alone. Will be like in Bundestima. With Hummels will look to help and complement each other.
- Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, kale - is this the best defense in the world?
- It will have to show it. Otherwise, I can only say that the world has a worse defensive lines of our ...
- Currently being treated, this is your second serious injury of the year. Does it have something to do with big loads? When it's the moment that players must be prevented from participating in too many tournaments?
- We play a lot games.
- Too much?
- If we look at the whole year with all the matches, I think too much. I disagree with injuries for a long time. But the load is really huge. Lost by the quality of football, if at the end of the season all are tired. You have to think in that direction.
- Recently announce openly captain of Germany. Targeted strategy is this?
- I would not say I'm too aggressive. I just said a few times that I would be a great honor and I'm ready. The tape will fit me and I will be captain with pleasure, but there are other great players who also would have done.
- Will the captaincy to the general public if the son of a Ghanaian receive it?
- Of course it will be a sign. It will be a great honor to become the first black who wears the captain's armband, something very significant.
- Start sixth season at Bayern. Is it possible to finish the football there?
- Anything is possible.
- Are not you tempted to play in the US?
- I can imagine it. Moreover I do not know whether a 34-year-old will be fast enough for Bayern. But let us first to enjoy the few years ahead of me in Munich ...