Dieter Eilts Former German footballer who played as a midfielder and coach. Date of Birth: 13.12.1964 Country: Germany

1. Former German footballer and coach
2. Working under Berti Vogts
3. The Euro 1996 Championship and the match against Russia
4. Thoughts on Oliver Bierhoff and working with Vogts
5. Comparison between Vogts and Otto Rehhagel
6. Thoughts on the Russian national team and upcoming match

Former German footballer and coach

Dieter Eilts is a former German footballer who played as a midfielder and later became a coach. He was one of the key players in the German national team, led by Berti Vogts, that won the European Championship in 1996. Known as "Iron Dieter" by fans and players, and referred to as "Lord Eilts" by journalists during Euro 96, he was a reliable defensive midfielder for the German team during the tournament, which earned him a place in the tournament's symbolic team. Eilts made his debut in the national team in 1993, when he was invited by Vogts to join the squad.

Working under Berti Vogts

Eilts shared his impressions of working under Vogts during an interview with a correspondent from "Sport-Express." He described Vogts as a hardworking and meticulous coach who prepared the team thoroughly for each opponent. Vogts was flexible in his tactical approach and chose a game plan that highlighted the team's strengths and aimed for the desired result. Eilts also praised Vogts for his communication skills and his ability to provide both the players and the team with freedom on and off the field. Vogts believed in giving the leading players the opportunity to share their thoughts and make decisions during the game.

The Euro 1996 Championship and the match against Russia

Eilts played a crucial role in the German national team during the Euro 1996 Championship held in England. He attributed their success in the tournament to the meticulous preparation and physical conditioning led by Vogts. Although Vogts had clear ideas and principles, he allowed the players the freedom to perform and make decisions on the field. Eilts disagreed with the notion that Vogts was a strict coach, mentioning that the decision regarding Stefan Effenberg's removal from the World Cup squad in 1994 was not solely Vogts' responsibility.

Eilts fondly recalled the match against the Russian national team during the Euro 1996 Championship. He acknowledged the resilience of the Russian team and the challenges they posed, but ultimately, Germany emerged victorious with a 3-0 scoreline. Eilts mentioned that Vogts always motivated the team before each match, emphasizing the importance of believing in their abilities and never giving up.

Thoughts on Oliver Bierhoff and working with Vogts

Eilts addressed the speculation that Vogts' wife recommended Oliver Bierhoff's inclusion in the national team, stating that he was unaware of the details. However, he acknowledged Vogts' excellent decision to bring Bierhoff as a substitute in the final against the Czech Republic, where Bierhoff scored two goals to secure Germany's victory. Eilts also mentioned their match against Russia in Moscow in 1994, highlighting the intensity of the game and the importance of winning crucial battles. He expressed his admiration for the city of Moscow and his enjoyment of participating in veteran tournaments held there.

Comparison between Vogts and Otto Rehhagel

Eilts spent many years playing for SV Werder Bremen under the guidance of Otto Rehhagel, winning the German championship and the Cup Winners' Cup. When asked about the differences between Vogts and the "King Otto," Eilts found it challenging to compare club and national team coaches, as their roles were different. However, he noted that both Vogts and Rehhagel emphasized daily communication with the players and were willing to take responsibility for the team's performance.

Thoughts on the Russian national team and upcoming match

Eilts praised Fabio Capello, the coach of the Russian national team at the time, for his international experience and achievements. He acknowledged that the Russian team had been performing at a high level for many years. Regarding the upcoming match between Vogts' team and the Russian national team, Eilts believed that Russia was the favorite, despite Vogts being a wonderful coach.