It’s a little word from English that is also valid in Germany. "Nerd": term with often pejorative connotation, indicating an individual obsessed with mathematics and computing, at the risk of being cut off from society. In Dortmund, various interlocutors from World used the same analogy to present the German Thomas Tuchel. A football nerd, they say. A great tactician. But a trainer without the extra soul needed. Not enough connection with Borussia Dortmund, the object of all local fervor, which he left earlier than expected: in 2017, after only two seasons, one year before the end of his contract.
Now he is about to return to the Ruhr area. This time as coach of Paris-Saint-Germain, Tuesday, February 18, for the knockout leg of the Champions League. He will be "Friendly welcome". Diplomatic promise from Michael Zorc, the sports director of his former club, two months ago.
The voluntary writing of the site Schwatzgelb.de awaits the reunion. In his room, between a table football in the colors of the club and a stored barbecue, the fanzine of black and yellow supporters has already had the opportunity to work on the Tuchel paradox. Undeniable sports results: a title in the German Cup, a lost final, two places on the podium of the Bundesliga championship and a prolific attack. But more complicated human relationships.
"Emotion"
"At his very first press conference at Borussia, Tuchel introduced himself as someone who trained with emotion. That's what he said. But he didn’t let that emotion show through, " regrets the editor Kay-Uwe Hoffmann. "He had very little contact with supporters", sums up Christian Fritzkowski, another member of the editorial staff.
Who cites, moreover, a "Fine example" of mutual misunderstanding: on April 10, 2016, in the field of Schalke, the great rival of the region, Tuchel put the usual holders to rest (2-2, final score). It was to bet everything on a decisive quarter-final against Liverpool in the European Cup (4-3 defeat and elimination). "Some supporters have taken it very badly. For them, the most important game of the year remains the Ruhr derby. Tuchel had underestimated him. "
"Tuchel gave the impression of someone withdrawn into him, as if he were a small business on his own"
