“I watch Bergdoktor and listen to hip-hop”

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Heiko Vogel, have women also applied for the coaching job at FC Basel?
Heiko Vogel: Let me think, there were a lot of applications. Yes, there was a woman. Highly decorated, from Brazil, impressive CV. She has won a number of titles in her home country.

Was she shortlisted?
We have other ideas, the package did not fit. But: Many women’s teams are coached by men, why shouldn’t it be the same the other way around? It’s still in its infancy, but women on the sidelines of men’s competitions is an image we can get used to.

That now sounds different from the words that flew around your ears two years ago as coach of the U21s in Gladbach. At the time, you told a referee that there was no place for women on the football field…
That’s true. And I certainly wouldn’t choose those words again. That came from the emotion and did not yet reflect my basic attitude – on the contrary.

The search for a coach has been going on for three months now. Are the candidates dropping out en masse or are you not yet sure what kind of trainer you are looking for?
Nor nor! We are taking our time and hope to announce something soon.

The desired solution of the team and board would already be on site…
Which would be?

The person is here in the room. Tip: The photographer and I are not.
Again: it is impossible for me to remain a coach.

Was the friendship between you broken with the resignation of Alex Frei?

Certainly not from my side. Football works on principles that don’t need to be explained to Alex. I fully understand that he needs distance. But I hope we’ll be back to normal someday.

Haven’t you heard from Frei since the beginning of February?
No. Alex is in charge when he should be.

Which dismissal as a coach hurt you the most?
Especially the one here in Basel.

Bernhard Heusler said at the time: “An FCB coach sometimes has to go shopping in Freie Strasse.” Have you been seen there more often since your return to Basel?
No. Because I haven’t had time until now and I’m not the hiking type anyway. But I feel very comfortable here, Basel has much more to offer than Freie Strasse.

Heusler criticized the fact that you spent your free time with your family at Lake Tegernsee instead of in the center of Basel. Understandable?
I wouldn’t do anything else. From time to time I need not only the intellectual, but also the geographical distance. This gives new perspectives on life and prevents club blindness.

So it’s no problem for the bird to bring its nest to Basel?
Our family’s home is the Tegernsee. Football moves so fast that I didn’t want my wife and children to lead a nomadic life. And of course I also have accommodation in Basel.

Add: Reaching the Conference League final would…
Phenomenal!

Adding again: winning the Conference League would be…
foe! Difficult to express in one word. Our goal is the final in Prague – and then we want to win it. And if I trust a team to do that, it’s the one I’m currently coaching. If that works, then the boys can party until we drop and I can enjoy it in peace.

How would you reward yourself in the event of the Conference League title?
With a sabbatical (laughs)! No, seriously: I look forward to spending time with my family. That’s reward enough.

The horror scenario could also arise that the European Cup will take place without FC Basel next season. Does that make you sweat as a team leader?
I don’t waste a thought on that.

A season without a European Cup would be a disaster for FCB, okay?
We would be forced to be creative. Missing goals provide an opportunity to do things differently.

Different facets are required from a head of sport than from a trainer: Are you a good negotiator?
Much more important than good negotiation is the ability to make decisions. In the interest of FC Basel, I have to decide how much a contract extension or a new player is worth to me. If my interlocutor has diametrically different ideas, we can negotiate for as long as we want – we are unlikely to find each other.

Are you satisfied with the amount the board of directors gives you for the summer transfer market?
There are clear boundaries. Creativity is required. And why always look outside when the solution may already be in the club? The road from young people to the professional department should again be a country road instead of a beaten track.

Statement: FCB can only afford to take over Zeki Amdouni and Andy Diouf permanently because the resale to a top league has already started.
Provocative (laughs)! No, that’s not it.

Subsequently, the board of directors advanced an estimated six to seven million francs. The club greenhouse is almost empty.
No comment.

Is it your job to resell Amdouni and Diouf with the largest possible margin?
Every player has a pain threshold, but no, I don’t have the job. If Amdouni continues like this, bids will automatically come in. The same goes for Diouf. They’re having a great season, but it’s their first at this level. Sportingly, I would advise them to stay with us for another year – and I’m not that pessimistic.

How pessimistic or optimistic are you that top scorer Darian Males will stay with FCB?
Discussions are ongoing, but it is still too early to give any indication. We are satisfied with all loan players and try to find a solution in our spirit.

FCB has to save, but wants to play for titles again. You need a wizard instead of a trainer.
It would be absurd to demand the double from the new coach. If we ever get away from talking about titles, it’s this: we’re a very exciting project. If we do certain things right, the championship title will be the logical goal again. But not the next and probably not the next season either.

Is YB 22 points (distance for matchday 32) better than Basel?
No. FCB wasn’t that far from the rest of the league in its glorious era either. YB is a worthy, fully deserved champion. You do many things well. We look at ourselves, want to improve and be ready if YB were to weaken.

Six years ago you were with Arno Del Curto in Davos. How did that happen?
I was on a show with Sven Furrer (comedian and presenter; ed.) and he encouraged me to call Arno. That turned out to be three days Davos, a great experience.

Did you live at Del Curto’s?
No, at the hotel. But other than that I was very close. At an away game in Bern, the motto was: come on the players’ bench with us – wow! Talking to Arno was fantastic. My advice to anyone who gets a chance to talk to Arno: Listen carefully!

Are you still in touch?
Unfortunately not regularly. So Arno: You are always welcome in Basel!

Many say: ice hockey or football. Like Coop or Migros. Both are not possible.
I do not think. I love ice hockey, the dynamics, super exciting!

What other sports do you like?
I am an avid sports watcher. In winter I look forward to biathlon, I look at skis and like to make them myself. In the Tour de France I find it fascinating what people are capable of.

Unfortunately, often also the tuned person…
Anyway and without accusing anyone: anyone who thinks that 3,500 kilometers in 21 days is only possible thanks to doping – bullshit! I find it fascinating and don’t let a bad word be said about it.

As a player you have made it to the German Oberliga. Why not higher?
That was the third highest division in Germany at the time, but unfortunately I had to stop early due to an ankle injury. After that I did community service in a workshop for disabled children and at that time I decided to go to Munich and study sports there. One thing led to another and at one point I was a youth coach at Bayern.

Is the person Heiko Vogel close to the coach and sports director Heiko Vogel?
Personally I am different.

So your wife doesn’t need as many yellow cards as the referees?
He is immediately red (laughs)! I am not a different person, but already more relaxed. Except when we pull out the board games – I’m a natural sore loser.

What else should you know about the private individual Heiko Vogel?
Actually nothing (laughs).

I still ask: Hobbies?
I actually have. To go cycling. And I like chess. I’m generally the player type.

You should be good at Mario Kart.
Is correct. I’ve asked my players to duel a few times to show them the limits. No reaction, apparently the fear is too great.

Favorite movie?
I’ve seen “The Hunt for Red October” in theaters and then felt it 100 times. In between I love the “Bergdoktor”, excellent, I like to be there.

favorite music?
Atypical for the «mountain doctor», especially hip-hop and rap. Public Enemy, Run DMC, Beastie Boyz, Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z. But also German rap, Fanta 4 is world class.

How do you switch off the football?
There are many good TV series now. And with chess games. Because in chess you forget everything else.

Who is your favorite opponent?
Currently the PC.

And who would you like to compete against?
Garry Kasparov for being my chess role model. I would also like to get to know him as a person. And Magnus Carlsen. The opposite of Kasparov, unorthodox but brilliant. The goal against both would be to be checkmate only on move ten.

Source : Blick