Emotions for parting
They will “never forget” Christian Streich
May 11, 2024, 6:55 p.m
Christian Streich experiences his last home game as coach of SC Freiburg. And the farewell is, as expected, emotional after almost 30 years at the club.
After his last home game as coach of SC Freiburg, Christian Streich was farewelled and acknowledged. “You have to say, you have shaped an era like few before you,” said sports director Jochen Saier on Saturday after the 1-1 (1-1) draw in the Bundesliga against 1. FC Heidenheim. “All I can do is bow down,” said Saier, “we will never forget you.”
With the game at 1. FC Union Berlin next Saturday, Streich’s era as Freiburg Bundesliga coach will end after more than 12 years. He worked for Baden in various positions for 29 years. During the winter break of the 2011/2012 season he took over the professional team and now played his last game as head coach in front of his own fans, who celebrated him “as the best man”. Streich said he wanted to “thank you very much” for everything before he went to the fans in the corner and then took a lap of honor.
“Then you’re emotionally exhausted.”
Before the game, Streich had announced his strategy of not letting emotions get the better of him: “I’ve built a little box inside of me and everything comes in there. Otherwise you won’t be able to do it, it’s been going on for many weeks.” , he told the pay TV channel Sky before the game.
The 58-year-old explained that he couldn’t handle the current work any other way: “Otherwise it goes up and down, then you’re emotionally exhausted, that’s too much. I think it’s pretty good that I managed to do that, I have to say. That I didn’t do too badly.” If everything turns out positive in the end, “we’ll go home and cry,” added the SC coach.
“Thank you Christian and Patrick for all the years full of passion, attitude and humility,” said a banner that the fans hung up in the corner at the end in honor of Streich and his assistant coach Patrick Baier. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything, thank you Christian, thank you Patrick,” was the message that ran across the advertising banners around the lawn. In addition to Streich, assistant coach Patrick Baier also said goodbye; he is leaving the sports club after 25 years. And Baier said goodbye with an appeal: “This club has grown enormously in the last few years, and that also poses certain risks. Certain things must not be lost under any circumstances: Maintain your realistic expectations of this club, that is vital.”