„It’s going to be a hot game“

sv98.de: What were your thoughts when the game between Werder and Lilien was drawn?

Peter Niemeyer: First of all, I thought it was great that we got a home game, as Werder were not allowed to play a cup game in the Weserstadion for a long period of time. But of course I was also very happy about the opponent Darmstadt 98 because I had a great time there and will now see some familiar faces again.

sv98.de: As a player, you met your former clubs a few times. Is something like this something special in a different capacity and perhaps even new territory for you?

Niemeyer: With Münster we played against Hertha in the cup, so I had a similar constellation before. But of course a certain amount of time has passed since I left Darmstadt; six years is almost an eternity in football. So it’s more the people around the team that I still know and that I’m looking forward to. I’m just looking forward to an exciting game and seeing one of my former clubs again. Without exaggerating the whole thing.

sv98.de: You are the head of professional football at Werder. Briefly to classify: What things are part of your area of ​​responsibility?

Niemeyer: I’m close to the team. I am a sparring partner for the coach, but at the same time I am also the contact person for the team, especially on overarching issues. Together with Clemens Fritz as managing director, we want to be a connecting element, move things forward and advance the structures.

sv98.de: Did you imagine the task like this before?

Niemeyer: That’s always a bad thing to say. In any case it is different than in Preußen. In Münster the structures were of course completely different and as managing director I was ultimately the final decision-maker. Everything is much bigger here and there are significantly more people involved in the processes. But everything is highly professional. I can contribute and help shape myself and my ideas. I really enjoy this.

sv98.de: All Lilien fans saw the player Peter Niemeyer as someone with great emotions, an enormous fighting heart and a person who always tried to get the best out of himself. How does the official Peter Niemeyer behave?

Niemeyer: I have not given up my 100 percent passion for a task. I try to contribute my part to the success of the club with maximum effort. I still have the emotion I had on the pitch, but I can channel it differently today and have a calming effect.

sv98.de: You also always put the team spirit first. How much does this basic setting help you now?

Niemeyer: For me, this is still a very crucial factor in professional sports. I am totally convinced that this is essential for success. The basic virtues that Darmstadt 98 embodied back then and certainly still embody, they totally suit me. That’s another reason why this time there was special for me. And I try to live these values ​​in my current position.

sv98.de: You once said: „Subconsciously you know: A man with an umbrella will run in front and you will run behind.“ With this you wanted to express that professional footballers have to take on a lot during their career and that the schedule is to a certain extent determined by others. Were you prepared for the “normal” working world?

Niemeyer: I always thought that I was far-sighted and that I wasn’t just defined by football. But after I hung up my shoes, I realised that it was like that and that my environment often adapted to my career. In everyday life you realise that as a player you had great privileges that just disappear after your career. Of course, the changeover process took some time.

sv98.de: Why did you want to stay in football?

Niemeyer: The Saturday that decides the coming week simply has an enormous addictive factor for me. That’s why it became clear to me very quickly after my career that I wanted to get back into football. Although I did say at one point that I didn’t want to have anything to do with it after my career was over. But football always filled my life and I quickly missed it.

sv98.de: Your path after your playing career is very exciting. First at Twente with coaching activities, then in Münster as sports director and later as sports director with a large part in the journey from the regional to the second league. And now at Werder, one of the biggest clubs in Germany. Did you expect this to happen?

Niemeyer: I always knew that I had a career as a player, but also that I would have to start a new career afterwards. It doesn’t work to enter directly at the top. It was important to me to learn many facets and to fill my backpack with tools. I always knew that I wanted to go into management rather than coaching, but it was important to learn coaching as well. Of course I didn’t plan this route on the drawing board, but it came together very well.

sv98.de: There is no one in Darmstadt who would say a bad word about you. How pleased are you that you are fondly remembered here as a player but also as a person?

Niemeyer: That triggers something in me. I’m lucky to have come in and out of the front door of all my clubs. I’m trying to pass that on to all players now. You follow a common path with a club and even if this path should diverge, you can always part ways sensibly. This is also a question of character. And I’m happy when I get this feedback and am seen not just as a player, but also as a person.

sv98.de: Conversely: What do you still associate with Lilies? Is there a moment that immediately comes to mind?

Niemeyer: Staying in the league in Berlin was really tough for me. Before the season, things weren’t going any further at Hertha and then you signed up for the Lilies, who everyone expected to sing and then be relegated again without a sound. But we managed to turn the tables on everyone. After this game in the Olympic Stadium, walking across the pitch with my son and standing in front of both fan curves was THE moment of my time in Darmstadt.

And I was at the Bölle again some time ago: people told me that I also played my part in ensuring that this stadium is there today and that this infrastructure was created. That wasn’t really on my radar, but it was nice to hear those things.

sv98.de: How intensively do you follow the Lilies?

Niemeyer: I don’t have enough time to watch the games. The focus is too much on Werder Bremen for that. But of course I look at how my former clubs played. And I’m really happy that Darmstadt has now gotten back on track.

sv98.de: What do you expect from a game on Tuesday evening?

Niemeyer: A hot game. Darmstadt is on a good run and is a really good bunch. We have to reach our limits to advance to the next round. Darmstadt will demand everything from us.