Werder Bremen is fighting in the relegation against 1. FC Heidenheim for relegation – it’s all or nothing! Peter Niemeyer (36) knows about such finals – and not just those: In 2009, the ex-pro with Werder was in the final of the Uefa Cup (1: 2 nV against Shakhtar Donetsk) and in the final of the DFB Cup (1 : 0 against Bayer Leverkusen). In 2012 Niemeyer finally played with Hertha BSC against Fortuna Dusseldorf – and dismounted.
Im DeichStube interview the former professional remembers this dark moment in his career and warns his ex-club Werder Bremen against arrogance against Heidenheim. Also reveals Peter Niemeyer, who until recently was Head of Development at the Dutch first division Twente Enschede was active, why the people of Bremen have to remain first class for the upbringing of his son.
Mr. Niemeyer, is Werder still able to stay in the class?
Yes, I assume. The momentum speaks for Werder again, the quality anyway. I am convinced that the joint journey of Florian Kohfeldt and Frank Baumann will be rewarded in the relegation. There was also a moment of doubt in my relegation class, but I’m a friend of continuity. I think it is wrong to act only under external pressure and not to look at the situation as objectively as possible.
Werder Bremen in the relegation against Heidenheim: According to Peter Niemeyer, it’s all a matter of the head
The mood around Werder has turned positive again, almost euphoric. Do you see the danger that the second division team will be underestimated?
Yes, there is always a danger. Heidenheim goes into the relegation as an underdog, but they can also kick – and who hasn’t seen horses puke in front of the pharmacy? Werder has to bring its advantages to the court. The pressure is immense, for Bremen it’s also about existence. But the players know that too. Kohfeldt will ensure that everyone remains focused.
In 2012 you played the most notorious relegation in Bundesliga history with Hertha BSC – and you relegated. Regardless of interruptions in the game and the storm of Fortuna fans – did Hertha take the second division club Düsseldorf too lightly at the time?
I don’t think we underestimated Düsseldorf back then, that wasn’t the point. The negative spiral had become independent: we had played a completely messed up season and after relegation two years earlier and direct relaunch were in the games with enormous pressure (1: 2 in Berlin, 2: 2 in Dusseldorf, red. ) went. Week after week we analyzed errors in crisis meetings, tried to straighten ourselves up – and then there was the next blow to the neck. Werder did the same, but the 6-1 win against Cologne might have caused something to happen to the players: Hey, we can do it! That is what I mean when I say that the momentum now speaks for Werder: The emotional state of the team is again positive, that was not the case at Hertha at the time.
Werder Bremen: Ex-professional Peter Niemeyer warns of arrogance in the relegation against Heidenheim
What is the best way to prepare for such all-or-nothing endgames?
Everyone has their own methods. I tried to isolate myself and focus on the daily work, the training. I was completely isolated from soccer.
With Werder 2009 you played two completely different finals in the Uefa Cup and the DFB Cup. Is the pressure in these games comparable to that before relegation games?
Not really. Before such finals, you went a long way together with a team, marched from success to success – that strengthens your self-confidence. Of course you are also under pressure, but it feels much more pleasant. Football games are also decided in the head.
And it is more bearable for the head to be second than to dismount.
Naturally. The pressure is very different. The relegation is about livelihoods. Before the trip to Düsseldorf, we received encouraging letters from the club’s employees. There were so many emotions in it that I had to swallow. We were aware of the responsibility and it still didn’t work. I was also very disappointed after the loss in the UEFA Cup final, but it went straight on. The DFB Cup final was a few days later – a new opportunity. You won’t get it in the relegation, you have to wait at least a year for it. The descent with Hertha in the relegation with all his circumstances was the darkest moment of my career, I wish nobody that.
Is it good for Werder that there won’t be a northern derby against HSV?
Hard to say. I think playing without fans is an advantage. Then the games are cleaner, the emotions are taken out a bit and the outcome is again a question of quality. Werder is ahead of Heidenheim. Nevertheless, in football one plus one is not always two. Quality increases the likelihood of winning games, but football is also about minimizing contingencies as much as possible. Kohfeldt will take care of that with his staff. It just has to work, otherwise I have drama at home.
How so?
My seven year old son is a giant Werder fan! After the 1-3 against Mainz he cried bitterly. I then explained to him that life and football go on and on, there is always hope. I was very relieved that Werder did his part in this important lesson. Now I hope Werder takes the last step too.
Werder Bremen: Ex professional Peter Niemeyer is looking for a new professional challenge at Twente Enschede
And how is it going for you personally? The season in the Netherlands was canceled.
Looking back, I think a little early. Many leagues in Europe are playing again, but not in Holland. After a good start, we slipped with Twente and had to worry about staying in the league. We would have loved to stay in it for purely sporting reasons. The end of the season in the corona virus crisis also has disadvantages for me personally.
In what way?
After the demolition, the supervisory board decided, regardless of the qualities of individuals, to carry out a complete change and to replace the entire sporting leadership: the technical director, the trainer team, video analysts, the youth leader – actually everyone. I also have to go, my contract has expired and was not extended due to the change.
And now?
I am Twente very grateful because I was able to learn a lot. I was allowed to take on responsible positions in an awesome field of work: conceptually in the youth area at the academy as well as with the professional team in team planning. I would like to build on that. I got to know a very interesting market, which I now have in my backpack for new tasks. In this respect, I see myself well positioned for new challenges.
Is it possible to return to SV Werder Bremen?
I always felt very comfortable in Bremen and still have good friends and acquaintances there. Werder has an existential task to do first.
Werder Bremen: This is ex-professional Peter Niemeyer
To person: Peter Niemeyer played for the SV Werder Bremen with which he won the DFB Cup in 2009 before closing Hertha BSC changed. In the capital, the defensive midfielder became team captain, moved up to the Bundesliga with Hertha in 2011 and again in 2012. 2013 was followed by another direct ascent. In 2015 Niemeyer went to the SV Darmstadt 98where he ended his active career in 2018. The 36-year-old was with his youth club until June 30, 2020 Twente Enschede in the Netherlands as Head of Development in the areas of management, team planning, youth coordination and as an assistant.
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