Christian Eichner Interview

Christian, your first training camp is over. How were the 5 days that you spent in the Black Forest, apart from the physical exertions?

Very good. It was a fantastic week and everyone was able to have some fun and enjoy themselves throughout. The training headquarters were very secluded, which was important, as it allowed us to things together. Overall it was a very successful week.

Have the new signings Tom Starke and Peniel Mlapa already been well integrated into the squad?

With us there is never a problem with new players. They made a good effort in the first few days to get to know everyone, however, until they have truly arrived in Hoffenheim it's going to take a few more weeks. It was the same with me last year.

The position left open by Rainer Schrey leaving the club has been covered double with the arrival of Christof Elser and Yannick Obenauer. What were you impressions of their first training session?

Both of them are a lot of fun to work with and are very active with the players, but at the same time we know we can come to them at any time. They have fitted in well with the personalities at the club. Normally, the athletic coaches are not the most loved as most of the time we have to train without the ball. They make it enjoyable though.

We'll come to you personally briefly. There were rumours of a move to 1. FC Köln. Was this all because of media speculation or was there something behind the story?

There were offers for me from other Bundesliga team but I never once sat down with anyone to discuss the possibility of a move. I had a long talk with Ralf Rangnick during the summer break and afterwards it was clear to me that staying here was the right choice. I'm happy here so there is no reason for me to leave.

Following the departures of Timo Hildebrand and Per Nilsson, Hoffenheim has lost to experienced players. Has your role in the team changed because of this? Is there now more responsibility on your shoulders?

I don't think that my role in the team will change at all. I was already accountable for this team. However, it is clear that the responsibility has to be shared out amongst the players. As a team it is important for us to work together as a collective in an attempt to move the club in the right direction.