Inka Grings exclusively after Nati-Aus: “I’m sorry it ended like this”

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Inka Grings, what did you think when you saw the headline ‘Bild’ on November 15: ‘Prosecutor confirms – infidelity scandal! Have you read the fine for ex-national player?
Inka Grings: It was to be expected that there might be some reporting, but when I read it I was shocked. There were things in it that were simply not true. I have always correctly declared all payments I have received on my tax return and have not committed any wrongdoing.

During your time as a trainer at SV Straelen, you were said to have been employed by a construction company of president Hermann Tecklenburg, wrote the “Bunte”…
…I only found out during the investigation that I would have worked there. Look: the ‘Tecklenburg case’ apparently dragged on for years; I, like many others, innocently became involved during my time as a club employee. I am at peace with myself about this. And yes: I feel unfairly treated.

Why did you only make a public statement two days after the article appeared?
When the first report came out that Wednesday, I had to process it first, then I hired a media lawyer. My statement was subsequently published on Friday. In retrospect, I definitely should have responded faster.

The damage had already been done and you lost your job as national coach.
The bottom line is that it was. I’m sad that it has come to an end. I really enjoyed being a national coach and I fully committed myself to it.

The Swiss Football Association was irritated because they only heard about the procedure through the media. Was it a mistake not to inaugurate the SFV?
I told my direct superiors at the SFV in advance that in theory something could appear in the media at some point in connection with the Tecklenburg case. I didn’t go into the details because the story happened years ago and the case against me was dismissed. Was that a mistake? The last reports about this procedure date from September – and it has not yet been rolled out to a large extent. I didn’t expect this story to make such waves.

It appears that the 2020 “tax affair” was not the main reason for your dismissal, but rather the famous straw that broke the camel’s back. What do you think?
That is certainly possible, but the board had already expressed confidence in me shortly before. I felt the appreciation despite our results and the individual upsets. The revolution was also not an easy task.

Would you have liked more support from the association?
Everyone wants more support.

For many experts, your record as national coach alone would have been reason enough to say goodbye to you: only one win in fourteen games, plus seven draws and six defeats. Do you understand this vision?
You can definitely see it this way. The raw numbers are not very impressive. But there is also another perspective: at the World Cup we won the group with Norway, New Zealand and the Philippines – and were then eliminated by eventual world champions Spain. Switzerland has never been better in a final. Then we played a good match against Italy in the Nations League and even a very good match against Sweden, where we unfortunately lost 1-0 twice.

Add to that a 0:5 and a 1:7 against Spain…
…currently the best national team in the world. Spain and Sweden are on a completely different level. In these games we should have built a concrete wall in front of our goal to not lose. Maybe I should have, but that doesn’t reflect my beliefs.

17 of the 25 goals conceded were against the world champion. Was it just bad luck that you met these Spanish women three times within a few weeks?
To be honest, I’m glad I don’t have to play against them anymore. Yet not all goals conceded were convincing. Too many of these are the result of serious individual mistakes. But we have to allow players to make these kinds of mistakes if they want to develop. I always put myself before my team. Every defeat hurts, but that’s part of the process. These lessons are important for the 2025 project, the European Championships in Switzerland.

Before the last games against Sweden and Spain you said that you should not just look at the results. It is important that you see development, especially in the young players. Pure wishful thinking?
I already knew it would be a tightrope walk. Football is results-oriented. But my job was to slowly initiate the necessary and important change and introduce young talents like Smilla Vallotto, Alayah Pilgrim and Iman Beney to the team. The best players who regularly play for their club are allowed to attend the European Championship. I am convinced that we are on the right track in the medium and long term.

When new players arrive, well-known players have to make way. Did you know what a hornet’s nest you were in when you didn’t call up record international Ana Maria Crnogorcevic for the team after the World Cup?
I don’t know whether a wasp’s nest is the correct image. But of course I was aware that there would be players who would be dissatisfied if a change were made. But the fact that Ana subsequently wanted to go public is simply not possible. Football is a team sport, the team is always in the foreground. But that has already been talked about enough.

It is said that at the beginning of December you again did not want to call Crnogorcevic to the games. Is that correct?
This question no longer arises.

Since this affair, you have been repeatedly accused of a lack of willingness to communicate. What do you think?
After the World Cup we analyzed and reflected on the tournament and the time in New Zealand. We also asked the players for feedback and every now and then I got such feedback. I accepted that and tried to improve myself in that area. We had many conversations in September. I was convinced that we were on the right track.

What was your relationship like with the players?
Difficult at times, but clearly mostly good, I would say.

Did many people contact you after the divorce was announced?
Yes. I received a lot of messages and phone calls. Most were shocked and disappointed. That touched me. But of course there are also people who do not report at all. But that’s completely normal and completely legitimate.

Riola Xhemaili was probably one of them. After her departure, she told ’20 Minutes’: ‘I don’t think there was much going on for Inka. (…) Something was missing in football. I think everyone noticed that.” What do you think?
Results are facts, she is not wrong. But Riola would do well to focus more on herself, her career and her environment. She is a very interesting and talented young player, but she desperately needs minutes to develop further. This is not going well at the moment.

Were you and your leadership style too hard on the players?
I do not think so. While we were clear in our announcements, we were always honest, respectful and forthright in our dealings. We always had an open door and an open ear. I’m constantly questioning myself and learning, but I also ride into the storm when things get uncomfortable.

And what are you doing now?
I returned to Germany. In the coming weeks I will be in Switzerland occasionally. There are a number of appointments already scheduled and I would like to keep them.

In Germany you are already being considered as a possible successor to Martina Voss-Tecklenburg as national coach.
I’ve read it too (laughs). Let’s see when and where it takes place.

Source : Blick