Demichelis: We are not on the same level as Bayern currently; Diomande dreams of Real Madrid

In an interview with Sport Bild, RB Leipzig's new coach Demichelis spoke about the departure of Jan-Dauerding, his coaching philosophy, and why he is often asked by German fans to sign photos of Gotze's goals.

This Saturday, you will lead RB Leipzig in an away match against your former club, Bayern Munich, in the Telekom Cup. What does returning to Munich mean to you?

I lived in Munich for 12 years. It is my second home. Bayern Munich gave me an opportunity when I was young, and I grew up there. Slogans like "Mia san mia" (we are who we are) mean a lot to me. So being able to come to the Allianz Arena is indeed special, especially since it's my first time here as a coach. However, now I am also very proud to be the head coach of RB Leipzig.

So, will you take this opportunity to show Bayern Munich that Leipzig is ready to challenge them in the league?

Slowly but surely! We have to be realistic: currently, we are not on the same level as Bayern Munich. However, anything is possible in football.

Your new boss, Leipzig CEO Tatiana-Heinisch, stated that RB's goal is to be among the top ten in Europe. When do you think you can achieve that?

I don't know, but I believe RB Leipzig can do it. Because in the past four weeks, I have found an extremely strong energy within the club. Everyone wants to keep growing and achieve their dreams.

Given the team's ambitious goals, was selling Jan-Dauerding a mistake?

RB's philosophy is to bring in young, hungry players with potential, let them grow here for a few years, and then help them take the next step. No other club can implement this philosophy as steadfastly. Only through revenue from player transfers do we have the opportunity to become a big club.

Yang grew incredibly fast, making huge progress in just one year.

Didn't you want to continue working with Dauerding?

Which coach wouldn't want to work with him? No one. But I have to set Yang aside and talk about a more general issue.

Please do...

If a player is unhappy, then you should sit down and talk to the player to find a solution that makes sense for all parties.

As a coach, I cannot simply give playing time to anyone. Players must earn their opportunities through their performance. If they are unwilling to compete with teammates and win a position, then such players are not suitable for me. This is not about Yang. If he had stayed, I believe he would still have gotten plenty of playing time.

But in this decision, there were no losers. RB Leipzig received a record transfer fee. And Yang once told me that he had dreamed of joining Real Madrid since he was a child. Given that, his wish was already very clear.

What are you most looking forward to in the Bundesliga?

When I received the invitation, I didn't think about it for too long. Leipzig finished third in the league last season. I had just renewed my contract with Mallorca before that, but then a huge opportunity suddenly appeared.

As a player, I had a great time in Germany. Now, it's time to prove myself as a coach. I have coached in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. German culture suits me very well: I like discipline, and I like that friendly but strict approach.

Between 2013 and 2016, you were teammates with Dzeko at Manchester City. He's still playing...

Great player! He deserves to. When I was a player, I never thought I would play for so long. I was in good physical condition at 37, but I wanted to end my career at my boyhood club, River Plate. Then I got the opportunity to go to Malaga as an assistant coach.

If you play against Eintracht Frankfurt, will you greet Gotze?

I was aggressive as a player, but after the final whistle, everything is forgotten (laughs).

But it was his goal in the 2014 World Cup final that cost Argentina and yourself the biggest title.

I understand what you mean. And that scar runs deep in the hearts of Argentinians. At that time, we successfully kept my good friend Klose from scoring. When Klose was substituted, we Argentinian players on the field were still nodding at each other.

But then we missed three great chances, and Mario appeared. I think fate had already decided that everything was meant to happen that way. I have accepted that. Let me give you another example: many German fans ask me to sign that photo of Mario kicking the ball into the goal.

I won't sign it, but Mario should. That was his highlight, not my moment of loss.

What are your principles as a coach?

What I've learned is that at the beginning of your coaching career, you should define your principles and football philosophy. Do these apply to every club? No. But my principles fit perfectly with RB Leipzig. I like the slogan "Intensity is our identity." I also like: "Watch out, the Red Bulls are coming."

Pressing is very important. In this country, everyone talks about transitions. Yes, I know, and it is indeed very important. We have incredible speed in our team, and we must utilize that. But I love possession. We must quickly teach the team to enjoy having the ball. Controlling the game, dominating the game, and making the opponent run ragged – that's a high art. And one more thing...

Go on!

As a former center-back, if we can keep a clean sheet, I feel very comfortable. That's the best thing! Because great success belongs to the teams that concede the fewest goals, not those who score the most.

What language do you use in the locker room?

In terms of football itself, everyone speaks the same language. I speak a lot of German, which is fine. My English is not yet very good, but it's improving. We have many French-speaking players on the team, and they have a translator. Spanish is the easiest to communicate in (laughs). But more importantly, it's about understanding the culture here as quickly as possible.

How do you understand it?

For example, during a training exercise: players form a circle and pass the ball to each other, with three players in the middle trying to win the ball. In Germany, after ten minutes, players might look at you and ask, "What next?" In Argentina, you can let them train like that for 30 minutes. They love that kind of training. Winning the ball is in their blood. That's where the passion lies.

Will you set up a system of penalties?

It's already in place. It's good. Without discipline, there is no success. But penalties are a difficult issue to handle. We know that when we educate our own children at home. I can be strict, but I can also be flexible. More importantly, it's about analyzing a player's performance on the field. If someone gives their all every day and enjoys every moment of the game, then that's more important than being a minute late.

Referees will probably have a hard time dealing with you in the future, right?

It will be very easy. Whatever the referee blows is right (laughs). Of course, I will be full of passion on the sidelines. But respect is very important. And don't forget: I only received one red card as a player. And look at that red card – I just kicked the ball (laughs).

When you played for Bayern Munich, you held a legendary press conference where you appeared wrapped in a towel. This was after you were suspended for refusing to play as a defensive midfielder. If you were a coach today, what would you say to the player Demichelis of back then?

I wouldn't say anything, because if I were the coach, that wouldn't have happened. As a coach, I'm the same as when I was a player: always honest. I had a good period playing in central midfield for Bayern Munich, but I was better at center-back, and I played that position for the national team. Coach Hitzfeld asked me to help out in midfield at the time. The agreement was: play once. Then it became: play twice. After that, he wanted me to continue playing that position. This was not what was initially agreed – and I told him that. Then I was suspended. Hitzfeld was a gentleman, but that scene did happen.

One last important question: as a player, you were always surprised by how much beer Germans drank. Have you adapted now?

Let me tell you the whole story. My father ran a beverage store: wine, beer, everything. I could say I was born in a beer bottle. But I don't like beer. Only at Oktoberfest did I drink a Radler (beer mixed with lemonade).

After Magath arrived, on the night before a game, we always had to gather at the hotel bar between 9 PM and 9:15 PM and have a beer. However, I always drank tea. Nowadays, I occasionally have a good red wine with dinner. But as an Argentinian, tea is always available, no matter the time.

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