“Marin was world class in this area”

Florian Wirtz recently caused a stir when he revealed that he used to be an admirer of Marko Marin. However, Gladbach legend Hans Meyer, who once coached Marin at Borussia, is not very surprised by the Bayer star’s confession.

“Every football lover must have Marko Marin in mind,” emphasized the 81-year-old in an exclusive interview SPORT1. “He didn’t lose the ball in the corner at five-on-four because he had such fantastic small-space motor skills. Marin was world class in this area.”

Marin’s strengths “didn’t fit in at all in the relegation battle, but he still played for me because he really had something to offer in terms of football,” said Meyer, looking back on the 2008/09 season.

The abilities of the 16-time national player are undisputed, especially his ball handling and his understanding of the game. “But he was never able to show his talent as a whole,” admitted Meyer.

The 81-year-old does not see the fact that Wirtz called Marin his idol as a contradiction. “Florian Wirtz was seven or eight years old when he saw Marko Marin on the pitch with his enthusiasm. That must have thrilled Wirtz,” explained Meyer.

However, the long-time coach pointed out: “With Marin you would have problems maintaining the class, with two Marins it wouldn’t work at all. You can’t expect a football lover like Wirtz to be able to say that with the wisdom of a football coach.”

Meyer himself caused a stir with a statement a few years ago. “There are five really stupid players in every squad. One of them would definitely end up under the bridge if he didn’t play football,” the former football teacher was quoted as saying.

When asked about this statement, Meyer now made it clear: “I don’t like quotes like that. “This was taken out of context.” He explained that he made his comments during an event where the ability of footballers to deal with journalists’ questions was questioned.

“I just meant that the football players are forced by their popularity to live the way millions of people would want to live, but the players are just like the average citizen,” Meyer clarified. “Each team has six to seven players who would have real problems getting along in real life if this wonderful football didn’t exist, who would end up unemployed or under the bridge.”

Footballers would be courted and coddled everywhere. “Their approach to shaping their lives is just like everyone else.”