Former Bundesliga professional Sergej Barbarez also wants to learn a lot from the German team in his work as national soccer coach of Bosnia-Herzegovina. “I am very, very enthusiastic about what the German national team is doing again. I’m impressed by the atmosphere the national team has created in the country,” said the 53-year-old in the “Kicker” interview.
DFB selection an example of integration
Sports director Rudi Völler and national coach Julian Nagelsmann would do “really well together with very different qualities and certainly different perspectives on football,” said Barbarez, who will face the DFB team with his team in the Nations League on Friday (8:45 p.m.). hits.
Looking at the German selection, he was particularly impressed by their overall demeanor and that they were an example of integration. “And that is important in these times, which are not only unsettled in Germany, but almost everywhere,” said Barbarez, who was born in Bosnia-Herzegovina and has lived in Germany since 1992. Today’s generation of footballers has a connection to several cultures, “and I hope that this serves as a role model for all levels of society.”
Barbarez: “It’s my mission”
The position as selection coach for his home country is now more than just a job for the former Hamburger SV crowd favorite. “It is my mission. I think it should be like this,” said Barbarez, who signed a four-year contract in April. Bosnia-Herzegovina is currently ranked 75th in the FIFA world rankings.
“Our big goal is the 2028 European Championship, then we want to be ready to qualify for a tournament again. The World Cup in two years is of course also a dream, but qualifying from pot 3 is difficult. We want to go there, but we are realistic. We are pursuing a long-term plan,” said Barbarez, who won 47 international matches for his home country.