“Emotions totally gone”
Zorniger apologizes after thunderstorm against goalkeeper
25.08.2024, 18:43
The goalkeeper was responsible for the goal, the coach couldn’t contain himself and railed against the 21-year-old in an interview. Alexander Zorniger realized the next day that he had overshot the mark. The Fürth coach apologized.
Coach Alexander Zorniger of SpVgg Greuther Fürth has apologized for his harsh criticism of his goalkeeper Nahuel Noll. The 56-year-old had massively criticized him for a mistake that led to the guests’ late equalizer in the 1:1 match against SC Paderborn in the 2nd Bundesliga on Saturday – and he did so in front of the TV camera. He apologized to Noll and the team the following day, Zorniger said in a video released by the club. “That was necessary. I’m sorry.”
An apology should take place in the plenary session in which criticism is also expressed, said Zorniger: “Yesterday, in a factual situation that I believe is beyond any doubt, a situation arose where I was completely wrong in my choice of words, in terms of emotion and also in the plenary session. I was completely emotional. That was not necessary at all. I went way beyond what I am entitled to as a coach,” said the Fürth coach self-critically.
Advisor downplays confrontation
Goalkeeper Noll’s agent had already reacted. Gerhard Poschner tried not to create any further confrontation. “It’s not that bad. It was justified criticism from Alex, with a lot of emotion, which can happen immediately after the game. Football is also about emotion,” said ex-professional Poschner from the Vida 11 agency on Sky Sport.
The 21-year-old Noll made a serious mistake that allowed Paderborn to equalize through Adriano Grimaldi. “He shouldn’t make that mistake again, otherwise his agent can call me and ask why he’s not playing,” said Zorniger, among other things.
“Nahuel made a mistake and will definitely learn from it. A player must also be able to deal with emotional criticism, especially when it is justified and comes from his own coach,” said Poschner. Noll, who is on loan from TSG Hoffenheim, is “no wimp and can handle it very well. That’s the end of the matter,” said Poschner.
Ulreich reacted in shock
Zorniger reacted “extremely angrily” immediately after the game: “That mistake shouldn’t happen to a player who has other goals at some point.” Especially since the blunder had a history. “We’ve already talked about it a few times in training.” Zorniger has so far missed a learning effect from his young goalkeeper.
Fellow goalkeeper Sven Ulreich was appalled by the outburst. “Unbelievable, such a statement from a coach in public,” criticized the FC Bayern substitute goalkeeper on social media. Zorniger himself now sees it that way too.