Jonathan Harding - Mensch

Published by Ockley Books Limited,

Huddersfield, England

First published May 2019

All text copyright of the identified author, the moral right of Jonathan Harding to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without prior permission in writing from the author, Jonathan Harding , and the publisher

Ockley Books

ISBN - 978-1-910906-187
ISBN - 978-1-913227-074 (ePub)

Layout & design by Michael Kinlan,
edited by David Hartrick

Printed & bound by:
Biddles Printing, Kings Lynn

For both of my families.

Jonathan Harding is a freelance sports journalist who specialises in German football. He writes predominantly for Deutsche Welle, but has also contributed to the likes of FourFourTwo, Rabona Magazine and 11 Freunde. Jonathan has lived in Germany since 2012.

The goal of this project, one that lasted over two years and left me with a new perspective on the words patience and angst, was to share stories. But I also wanted to start a conversation about human values in a field that I think is losing touch with its humanity. To even attempt this I needed the help of lots of people. My thanks to them all is endless.

Firstly, Im grateful to all the people I spoke to for this book, especially Sascha Ochsendorf, Frank Wormuth, Stefan Reinartz, Uwe Hnemeier, Lily Agg, Verena Hagedorn, Helmut Gro, Lars Kornetka, Daniel Niedzkowski, Ismail Atalan, Eckhard Krautzun, Rainer Willfeld, Hannes Wolf and many others. Special thanks go to Frank and Lars who went above and beyond to help me make this book possible. A big thank you also goes to Marcus Dippel at the BDFL for being so helpful and making the ITK so accessible. Im also very grateful to Matthias Lochmann, who was open, friendly and helpful in providing even more insight into his youth-coaching revolution. The book would not exist were it not for you all.

Holger Tromp and Paul Camillin were accommodating and helpful in organising some of the interviews I requested early on in the project and I appreciate that because its not always the case.

Id like to send special thanks to Ben Lyttleton, Raphael Honigstein and Uli Hesse for their support, encouragement and advice. You have all been such great trailblazers. Thanks must also go to Michael Calvin, because it was his fantastic book Living on the Volcano that planted the first seeds of inspiration in my mind. All of you helped make this possible.

Thanks must also go to Michael Yokhin and David Luxton for their help. Understanding the lower league system in Germany was tricky, and without the help of Lars Pollmann and FVMs Ellen Bertke I would still be lost thank you. Id also like to thank Mr. Bellars, who helped keep my German going all those years ago.

Thank you to everyone on social media and online that has been supportive over the years. Many of whom I dont know or havent met, but your input, feedback, constructive criticism and encouragement never went unnoticed and regularly made me pause for thought, so thank you. I hope I have been worth reading.

I couldnt have managed some of the writing sessions without a whole host of musical artists but special mentions must go to Bonobo, London Grammar, The 1975, The National, and Janelle Mone your music helped.

To my editor at Ockley Books, Dave Hartrick I can only say thank you for giving me this chance and for helping me every single step of the way. Im also indebted to Richard, Roger and Sam for their tireless help editing the book and getting the best out of it. Thanks also to Mick for the brilliant cover design.

I must also thank all of those who I know and work with in the same field, because they too have inspired parts of this project. Archie, thank you for the trips to Bochum and Dresden. They made a big difference to the shape of this book. Ali, thank you for all your help and encouragement. Going through the editing process at a similar time was really beneficial. Sophie, you are fantastic. I am always learning from you. Ross, youve taught me a great deal since weve met and your encouragement with this project always helped - thank you. James, thank you for helping me take the first big steps in the Bundesliga world. I am delighted and grateful we have become such good friends since those early days. Jose, thank you for every single abrazo. Lewis, thank you for your enriching friendship. To the team I work with at DW, thank you for your encouragement and education Ive learned a great deal working with you. Lara, thank you for believing in me. You supported me right at the start and your words will stay with me. Always.

Musa, there are not enough words. You are one of the best people this world has and someone we will need more than ever in the years to come. Your friendship has been a blessing on my life. Jenn and Dana, your support and wisdom when I needed it helped me out of the shadows. The world isnt ready for your brilliance, but it should be because its coming. Nina, look how far weve come. Thank you for always encouraging me and for the effort you always make for me.

Chris, Maz, and the little one (now two) thank you for keeping me young and reminding of the joy in the world. You mean so much to me.

Beth, there isnt enough space to say thank you. You helped me make this the best version it could be. Your input and support have been incredible. Youre a superstar.

Dan and Family B, words cannot express the magic you have brought and continue to bring to my life. You have made this possible by making me a part of the family and giving me even more stability and love when I needed it all those years ago. Big Kober DB.

Dad, all the words and support youve sent helped me get the inches I needed. Mum, every card you sent (Ive kept them all) made it better just when it needed to be. Matt, everyone conversation weve ever had about sport over the years helped me get here. All Ive ever wanted is to make you all proud. I love you all very much.

And thank you for reading Mensch. It brings me more joy than you can imagine to have been able to share these stories with you. Remember, there is always a person behind the player. There is always a Mensch.

When Jrgen Klopp became Liverpool head coach, Germanys coaching blueprint appeared complete. One of the most charismatic and motivational coaches in the game had been given the job at one of the biggest and proudest clubs in the world in the worlds most popular league. But Klopp wasnt alone. David Wagner made history at Huddersfield Town, while Daniel Farke hopes to do the same at Norwich City. Later, Daniel Stendel joined Barnsley, keen to prove Hannover made a mistake in removing him for a more experienced head coach. It wasnt just individuals who were desired, it was the concept of German coaching that appeared intriguing.

Over two years, I travelled around Germany to find out more about what it is to be a coach in that country and what the traits are that make a good one. I spoke to coaches who missed out on the top jobs but never lost their love for the game, players who experienced the very best of German coaching, international assistant coaches, the men who coach the coaches, and one of Sir Alex Fergusons best friends.