There was no joking at Salzburg’s training centre this April 1 as coach elect Co Adriaanse paid a visit. The 60-year old Dutchman viewed the facilities and spoke to the media eight weeks before taking the reigns at the champions.
Adriaanse had the following to say at today’s media briefing:
Ø Red Bull Salzburg
I have already been able to find out quite a bit from television and DVDs. I am currently getting to know exactly how my players operate and making a review of that.
Ø Co’s philosophy
The manner in which I like to play is important. I want to excite people with entertainment, goals and wins. The Bulls Arena should always be sold out with fans that love football, love the club and love to see us play.
Ø The new Red Bull Salzburg team
We have to think about which players we have, which players we need, who there is in Austria or in our youth system. We should definitely be looking first and foremost in Austria for new players – the fans will feel closer to us when Salzburg boys and Austrians are representing their club.
Ø Ivanschitz
I saw Andreas in action for the first time against Holland and was pleased with what I saw. He’s not in the national team for nothing and to be captain of Austria shows that he has got character. He is a unique player in that he is an attacking left-footed midfielder. It’s really important to consider what the player wants too!
In Leitgeb we have another modern, dynamic and creative player – the kind that I love.
Ø Niko Kovac
We will be having some discussions together about the future squad so it is still too early to talk about Kovac’s role in public.
Ø Discipline
This term is usually used negatively. For me discipline is just about being normal, doing your job professionally, fulfilling your duty etc.
Ø Natural pitch
We will have to talk about that together with the club officials. I am an old and traditional man, a coach and player who grew up with natural pitches. Personally I would prefer a natural pitch.
Ø The Austrian league
I have to be honest and admit that I don’t know so much yet. I am watching a lot on TV and DVDs, getting to know a few coaches and their philosophies. In Michael Streiter I have an absolute expert as co-coach – he knows best! Two assistants will be coming with me from Holland: Luc Nijholt and my technical coach Chris Kronshorst.
I have never needed a specialised fitness trainer as swimming is something you do in a swimming pool and football takes place on a football pitch. I think that I am well positioned to judge on that – I will however gladly put the Sports Medicine department at Thalgau to use.
