Dietmar Beiersdorfer was always headstrong. As a player at Hamburg playing for Ernst Happel, with whom he won the German Cup in 1987. At Werder Bremen, where he played for Otto Rehagel and won the German Bundesliga together with Andreas Herzog in 1993. And of course, as a manager, where from 2002 until 2009 Beiesdorfer was head of sports at SV Hamburg.
In the autumn of 2009, the 46-year-old joined Red Bull Soccer and is now responsible for their clubs in Salzburg, New York and Leipzig, as well as for the firm’s youth development projects in Brazil and Ghana. We caught up with Beiersdorfer and asked him about all things Red Bull Soccer...
In 1986 you played for Ernst Happel at Hamburg. Didn't the legendary grumbler make you think twice about coming to Austria?
Not at all. Although I almost couldn't understand him in the beginning. Happel kind of mixed the soccer-related phrases that he picked up during his time in Belgium and the Netherlands with his Viennese dialect. But his aura was just unbelievable...!
Besides Happel, do you have other connections to Austria?
When I was a kid I often came to Austria to ski. Especially to Ovbergugl, Sölden or Kaprun. One thing really special here was drinking an Almdudler (Austrian soda). We couldn't wait to drink it as kids. It seems that Austria is a good country when it comes to setting high standards in beverages.
Do you already feel at home in Austria?
My wife and I just recently visited some friends here and we said to one another that if we had to pick another country to live in forever, Austria would be on the top of the list. Maybe it was meant to be?
How far can Red Bull Salzburg go in international competitions?
The formation at Salzburg is really good. The key position, the head coach, is the major part. Huub Stevens’s work supports the athletic activities as well as the professional actions and the decisions of the organisation. What we can achieve internationally? We want to establish ourselves in European soccer and the recent successes in the Europa League are the first steps in the right direction, but all at the right time. We want to grow organically and do effective and reliable work.
How long will this take?
As slow as it needs to be and as quick as possible.
Are the dreams of playing in the Champions League possible?
I think our Salzburg team was pretty close this year. But, as I said, timing is a huge factor. After the team gelled and the final transfers had been made it would have been different. But before talking about the Champions League you have to become champions here in Austria and we need to give our best to justify our status as favourites.
'We want to establish ourselves in European soccer' – Dietmar Beiersdorfer
Are you and Huub Stevens, after a successful time together at Hamburg, a successful business connection or a real friendship?
I would explain it like this – the trust put in the work of the other regarding the loyalty to the club grew. We respect each other, in business as well as interpersonally. I guess that would describe our relationship the best.
How Austrian will Red Bull Salzburg be in the future?
As Austrian as possible and as international as necessary. It's all in the mix.
Will Salzburg become a talent factory for RB Leipzig?
Our goal is clear – we want to increase the possibilities to the clubs and create a kind of life cycle for Red Bull players. Really romantic, isn't it? So, if it makes sense to transfer players from Salzburg to Leipzig - why not?
What is the timeline for RB Leipzig? Is there a certain point when they should play in the first Bundesliga?
The most important thing is to get this whole project rolling. Great things have already been done at RB Leipzig. We received huge amounts of positive feedback. Of course we want to try to get closer to the top leagues, but we are playing in the fifth division now. Anyone who knows soccer knows that we have a lot of work ahead of us.
Have you already taken a look at Red Bull's youth developments in Ghana and Brazil?
I really want to go there this year to get a better picture of the work that has been done there.
Is there a possibility that one of the academy players will soon play in Salzburg?
At the moment there is a 17-year-old from Nigeria, who recently played for the U-17 team. But he isn't the only one we'll keep an eye on and try to assist as well as we can. If it makes sense to send him to Europe or New York, then we'll do that.
Ernst Öbster just recently moved. Will the exchange between Salzburg and New York become more intense?
We really want to increase the exchange of knowledge and the propagation of useful experiences from European professional football into the US. The actions of our staff need to be regional, but the perspective has to be a global Red Bull Soccer perspective.
Find out more about the RB soccer teams at Red Bulls
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