Willi Landgraf on the job in the Schalke Knappenschmiede

Gelsenkirchen. Willi Landgraf doesn't like chic. An old beer tent bench is completely sufficient for the record player of the 2nd Bundesliga for an interview about his work as a youth coach at Schalke. The 47-year-old will be responsible for the U14 next season. A conversation about visits to the museum, Dieter Hecking, the tax investigation and his players' school reports.

With 508 second division games you are still the record player in the second division. Be honest: doesn't it annoy you sometimes that you haven't played in the 1st Bundesliga once?

Willi Landgraf: The fact that I've never played a first division game doesn't annoy me at all. I experienced a lot more than most Bundesliga players have ever experienced. I was in the DFB Cup final with Alemannia Aachen and played six European Cup games. You can hardly achieve more as a second division player. The record in the 2nd Bundesliga will remain with me forever. A picture of me also hangs in the German Football Museum in Dortmund. Below are my soccer shoes. A great feeling when you come to the museum and there you can see a large photo of you.

In addition, there are nine dismissals in the 2nd division. This is also a record.

Willi Landgraf: Most of the dismissals were justified, but some weren't. It happened that I took an opponent off his feet a bit roughly. Also, sometimes I couldn't keep my mouth shut. My U15 players have already asked me about the red cards. I've calmed down a lot. It's only when I'm playing in the traditional team that I can go too far.

In Aachen, the fans gave you the nickname "Willi, das Kampfschein". But you already know that the name is taken on Schalke...

Willi Landgraf: I know that. At Schalke, Marc Wilmots is "Willi, the fighting pig." It should stay that way. He deserves it. Just as I earned this name back then in Aachen.

You then played for the U23s at Schalke, although you actually wanted to end your career.

Willi Landgraf: I was lucky that Helmut Schulte, the head of the youth department at the time, called me. The U23s were still playing in the premier league and I was supposed to help them get promoted to the regional league. In the second year it was time. We have been promoted with a team in which many young players have gained match practice who have been playing in the Bundesliga for a long time. Alexander Baumjohann, Benedikt Höwedes and Tim Hoogland have been given playing times, and Manuel Neuer has also played in goal. And I was right in the middle. That was an extraordinary group.

How do you actually assess the outfit of young players on the pitch today? I would bet you only wore black football boots.

Willi Landgraf: I have to disagree. I put on all colors: silver, gray, blue, even the red and black shoes. I was always the first player to get the new shoes from the manufacturer. That was because the new models were always made in small sizes and only fit me. If I scored a goal with new shoes, I put them on more often. But since I hardly scored goals, I was able to change shoes often. I don't care what shoes my players wear. With one exception: nobody wears yellow shoes with me.

You have experienced many trainers in your career – who actually influenced you the most?

Willi Landgraf: Dieter Hecking shaped me the most in terms of his football expertise and his way of dealing with players. During my time in Aachen I trained under him. Dieter is always honest with his players. That's the most important thing for me, even in the youth field.

Speaking of youth. Does the task at Schalke fulfill you, or can you also imagine coaching a senior team?

Willi Landgraf: I've already had offers from the 3rd division, also as head coach. But I don't even know if I want to do that to myself. The task I currently have at Schalke is a very demanding one, which I also enjoy a lot. Working with young people can be much more interesting than the fast-moving professional business, because you can work more sustainably in the youth field. It's wonderful to follow the boys' path and prepare them for the tasks ahead. Maurice Multhaup, for example, was my player when I started as a youth coach at Schalke. Last year he became German A youth champion with Schalke, now he is a professional at FC Ingolstadt.

You played as a professional for Alemannia Aachen, Rot-Weiss Essen, FC Homburg and FC Gütersloh. Clubs that have seen much better times. Surely just a coincidence.

Willi Landgraf: That's really striking (laughs). My teammates have joked about it. Willi, no matter where you are: the great eagle hovers over us every time, they said. I have experienced bankruptcies, license withdrawals, seen tax investigations at the office. I had to give up my salary for three months. I've already thought: at some point I won't be able to put my football shoes on anymore because the cuckoo is stuck to them. But these difficult times have also helped me. Today I can certainly deal with some situations much better than other colleagues who were mostly fine.

When asked if you've ever done step aerobics, you answered years ago: "Young guys, I'm from Bottrop, you'll be killed if you do that in the gym." What do you think of step aerobics today? ?

Willi Landgraf: Our trainer at the time was Eugen Hach, he wanted to try something and went to step aerobics with us. I laughed tears, the number would be number one on YouTube today. As the coach of a youth team, I naturally pay attention to balanced athletic training. At the age of 14 to 16, boys have a huge growth spurt. It is important to prevent injuries. But not with step aerobics.

How is the scouting of young players going for your team?

Willi Landgraf: We consult with the scouts on which positions we see a need for. Scouting a player is one thing. Convincing a player to change is another. We are in a metropolitan area and compete with many other well-known clubs.

How Willi Landgraf recruits new talent

And how do you promote Schalke?

Willi Landgraf: The players are only 14 years old, the decision is mostly made by the parents. I'm the emotional type when it comes to conversations. I want to convince the parents that I stand behind their son 100 percent. One trump card, of course, is that so many players from the Knappenschmiede have made the leap into professional football.

Is money already paid in the U15?

Willi Landgraf: I'm not talking about money and I ask for your understanding.

Can you judge in the U15 whether a player will become a professional?

Willi Landgraf: You can tell if a player has special abilities. Speed ​​is a big plus. But there are so many other factors involved. I'm with the boys every day and I can't just focus on the ball. The players are in the middle of puberty. I'm not only in demand as a trainer, but sometimes also as a psychologist. I have to ask them if they're not feeling well.

How difficult is it for the young players to reconcile school and football?

Willi Landgraf: We train four times a week, Wednesday is the day off and the games take place on the weekends. School is the be-all and end-all. I have all the certificates shown to me. If one of my players misses an unexcused lesson, then he just has to stop training. I don't really like missing hours.