Germany’s new national team coach Alex Mumbru praised the German youth system in an interview with Torben Rosenbohm and talked about his upcoming term in office at the DBB.
”It was a very good decision that there must be six German players in the squad of twelve. This is very important for young people. In Spain, there are now only four. This rule speaks for Germany in the future,” said Mumbru, who was most recently active as a coach in Valencia. ”The best example of the whole development is the U18, which recently won gold at the European Championship. Every club needs good German players, everyone has to invest. I am convinced that this will be reflected in the successes in all age groups in the future,” he said.
Mumbru is working as a coach outside of Spain for the first time, but this is not a major change for the 45-year-old. ”I was most recently the coach of a Euroleague team, and it was normal to travel all over Europe. Among other things, I also visited Germany when we were allowed to compete in Berlin or Munich. In all the competitions, you are always very close to each other, and you get to know many, many countries,” he explained.
Mumbru faces adjustment with DBB team
For Mumbru, who played almost 80 games last season with Valencia, the new job is not just a geographical change. “In the national team […] it is especially important to build a good relationship with the players and to talk to them before the international match windows. The thing is, if there is a problem here, the guys have already disappeared back to their clubs after a few days,” he said. It is also positive for him that the players all speak the same language and know each other well.
However, the new coach cannot escape a certain pressure. “As a coach, you’re always under pressure. You always have to win! No matter what the level, every match day it’s all about presenting yourself well and achieving success. That’s the way it is in sports, that’s the life of a coach,” he explained.
Mumbru will take charge for the first time in November’s European Championship qualifiers against Sweden (November 22 & 25). He faces an immediate challenge there, as he has to put together a team without NBA and Euroleague players.
