FCL star Max Meyer played in the Bundesliga and Premier League: ‘Frick is the most important coach of my career’

Blick: FC Luzern lost many leaders during the summer break, does that leave traces?
Max Mayer: Clearly. You feel that. I would have been happy if Marius Müller and Pascal Schürpf had stayed longer, and I hoped so. But in the end everyone makes their own choice. Now others must step into that role.

During the games you are one of the leaders. In the training sessions, however, Müller and Schürpf were clearly noisier. Are you taking this part?
(laughs) I’m a slightly different type than Marius and Pascal and therefore a bit calmer. This also applies in the cabin. I already had a leadership role last year and will take on the same responsibility this year.

How do you experience the team these days?
There’s a lot of fire there. All the guys are very focused. And the sessions are very intense.

How important is the training camp to form a unit?
Hard to say. Training alone is not enough. A team is found during the season. Success stories help. Last year, the game against Sion at the end of August was such a key moment when we still won 2-0 with three red cards. That has forged us together as a team.

Up front there are three new faces in Teddy Okou, Kevin Spadanuda and Kemal Ademi. Which of them did you already know?
I only knew Kemal personally, as we work at the same agency. All three have performed well at their previous clubs and have shown their potential. That’s where quality came into play. I look forward.

In a few days the Super League will start and then there will already be a groundbreaking game in the Conference League. Will the FCL make it to the group stage?
We can move on. Our goal should be to get as far as possible. Best in the group stage. I can’t say much about our opponent Djurgarden. The odds are 50/50 this round.

And how aware are you of the new Super League mode?
I think I understood how it works. I think it’s good that there are more teams in the league. Playing all teams four times was a bit monotonous. Let us surprise.

The starting season is your second in Lucerne. Two years at a club has been more of an exception for you lately. Does that prove that you feel very comfortable in Central Switzerland?
That’s true. I can develop well here and I enjoy playing football.

Do your family and child love Switzerland just as much?
Switzerland is a beautiful country. The whole family immediately feels at home. That is the most important. It’s not good if I feel comfortable alone. My son is always happy when we have home games and he can go on the field after the game. That’s the most important thing to him.

Do you have a favorite place in Lucerne?
I don’t have one yet. Maybe the stadium? (He looks at the head of the media and starts laughing).

How about Pilate? Have you been up there?
No, unfortunately not yet. But I’ve made it my goal for this year.

Back to the sporty. You’ve had your statistically best season of your career.
That’s correct. It worked really well all season and I was able to repay the coach’s trust. But you know what’s funny?

What?
I really shouldn’t have been ten. I came to Lucerne eighth or sixth. But it was a lot of fun. Because it showed how dangerous I can be.

Do you repeat these values?
We shall see. Of course I try to confirm them. But when I play further down it’s obviously hard to get the same stats.

What is Mario Frick’s credit for doing so well in Lucerne?
Honestly? I had many coaches (Roy Hodgson, Dominik Tedesco, Markus Weinzierl, etc. – editor’s note). But Mario is the most important coach I’ve had so far. He trusted me from the start. He talks to me a lot. The mix of personality and trainer is perfect. Just what I needed. The decision to come here was perfect.

Is Frick a coach who can assert himself internationally?
Look at where he took over the FCL and where we are now. It’s a single success story. That’s why I’m convinced that eventually he will go his own way and finish in the top 4 and top 5.

And you? Do you want to go there again?
Every player should always strive to get the best out of themselves. I don’t look aggressive. I’ve learned from the past that you don’t have to do everything to get it done. It should make sense.

You have had to take a lot of criticism in the past about your previous decisions. They were labeled as greedy. How did you deal with it?
Over the years, people become hardened. When you’re 18 or 19, let that get closer to you. It’s a process. You can’t perceive it any other way at the touch of a button. I can handle it better now. Football is a very popular sport. Criticism is included. Unless it’s below the belt.

How are you protecting yourself today?
I rarely read newspapers. This also applies to assigning grades. You always notice them on the sidelines, because the environment points them out to you. But ultimately you are responsible.

Finally, we look a year ahead. What must have happened this season to look back on with satisfaction?
I would sign if we as FC Luzern and I as a player played a season like last year.