TSGDoku - Deniz Solmaz - Simply Different

Episode 4: The return to Wieseck

TSGMedia: In 2011, you came back to TSG after only eight months. What did you find and what were the first steps?

Deniz: It has always been important to me that we only have coaches in our ranks who are not only interested in themselves, but much more in the development of the players. In my absence, many colleagues joined us who saw it differently. It was a process of one to two years to replace these coaches with other coaches. I was then also given the freedom by the board to make all decisions independently. At the same time, I was constantly working on the direction of the club. Since then, the development of the club has actually gone rapidly uphill.

TSGMedia: You also worked as a scout for the Turkish national team from 2011 to 2013. How did that come about and how can you imagine it?

Deniz: I can still remember the first call from Erdal Keser (former professional at BVB). He spoke in Turkish and my knowledge of Turkish is quite weak. I told him I didn't speak Turkish and hung up (laughs). But then he called again. The time was mega exciting but also quite demanding. There were exciting people in the project. But my problem was that I hardly knew any Turkish and didn't understand much at the meetings. The way the Turks worked was also adventurous at times. They once sent me to SV Darmstadt 98. I was supposed to look at Niklas Süle. When I then approached the gentlemen at the SVD, it was a big surprise, because not everyone with an Ü in their name has Turkish roots (laughs). After two years, it was no longer possible. Time-wise, it was no longer manageable.

TSGMedia: The years flew by and the club has developed rapidly, tell us something about your methods.

Deniz: My deepest conviction is the honest and human contact with the players and the coaches. What counts for me is the club and, above all, the players. This also requires a clear division of roles, which I always communicate in a tough and honest manner. The person behind the facade is super important to me. Only a healthy mind can deliver top performance. I want to create an environment where the players and coaches are absolutely open with each other, but also have their freedom and can trust each other. I am constantly careful not to restrict them too much. Personal responsibility, humanity and freedom are totally important to me. As soon as the players come onto our grounds, they should be able to be who they are and feel free.

We want and expect absolute top performance and a professional attitude. We do everything to get the players to the top, but we never forget the human being behind it.

TSGMedia: What was your biggest mistake?

Deniz: I've certainly made a few mistakes. Sometimes I'm too hard and always say what I think, I could keep my mouth shut more often, and sometimes I've made decisions that weren't good. I have always taken full risks. What I regret most in the years was the dismissal of the coach of the first team in 2018. As a result, almost all the players of the first team left us and we were without a coach and without players after the sixth match day. In terms of content, I stand by this decision, but in terms of craftsmanship, I made gross mistakes there, which would not happen to me today.

TSGMedia: What were your greatest moments?

Deniz: The test match trips with the games against the really big ones from Germany are already great. The trip to Auschwitz, the captain's tours to Madrid or London. I can't forget the legendary coaches' trips either. But there are two things I really like about my job. To be able to accompany young people on their way to becoming a top soccer player and to be able to give them something to take with them into life is priceless. But what is always the absolute highlight for me is the training camp in Austria. The nature, the freedom, the top training conditions, everything is simply unbelievable. Throwing your cell phone in the corner for seven days and just concentrating on the training and the players are the greatest moments, far away from the stress of everyday life.