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Since the second half of September, the former national player has been sitting on the bench at ASC Grünwettersbach as the successor to head coach Achim Krämer. In this interview, the new coach talks about his debut, his ideas for his new job, and the upcoming matches against his former club TSV Bad Königshofen.

Kilian Ort, in your first game as Bundesliga head coach, you celebrated a 3-1 victory with ASC Grünwettersbach against German record champions Borussia Düsseldorf. Could there be a better debut for a novice coach?

No, I couldn't have imagined anything better. I would have been happy with any victory, but when you win against Düsseldorf, the record champions, it's perhaps even a little bit better, and I think the fans will remember this evening for a long time to come.

Can you describe the circumstances and your emotions before and during the match?

Yes, I was a little nervous before the game, of course, but I would say it was healthy nervousness. There have been games that I can remember as a player where I was much more nervous. Everyone gave me a warm welcome, which made it really enjoyable for me. During the game, I would say that I was naturally focused on the games. I tried to follow the game as best I could and adapt the tactics we had discussed beforehand. That made the little bit of nervousness I had quickly disappear.

You were assisted in coaching your new players Tiago Apolonia and Ricardo Walther against Düsseldorf. Is there a general agreement on this or is it still improvisation?

It would be stupid of me not to draw on the experience of Tiago and ‘Ric’. Tobi Hippler also supported me throughout the evening, and we exchanged ideas repeatedly during the sets. I already said, sit next to me. Ric in particular already does that anyway. In recent years, I've also seen from the other side that he always likes to help with coaching. He's also an experienced man, so of course I draw on his expertise. I have no problem at all with the guys getting involved a little. So it's definitely teamwork.

Throughout your career, you were known as a veteran of TSV Bad Königshofen. How did it feel to wear different colors and a different club crest for the first time?

It wasn't a problem during the game. But I have to admit, when I took the improvised photo for social media and put on the ASC jersey for the very first time, it felt different than when I just put on the next TSV jersey for the next season. Of course, it felt different, but as soon as I put on the jersey, whether as a player or a coach, I give 100 percent and give my all for the colors of the club I belong to at that moment. It was no different at TSV in Bad Königshofen.

How did your appointment as successor to ASC coach Achim Krämer actually come about? Did you expect to be asked at all?

Of course, I had noticed that ASC and Achim had parted ways. When I saw that Ric was calling me, one of the first things I said was, “Ric, are you looking for a coach?” But I didn't expect to be asked until we had our first phone call, and I didn't really think it would be possible because I don't have my A license yet. It didn't take long from the initial contact or the first inquiry to reaching an agreement. We reached an agreement within a few days. The feeling that everyone in charge and all the important people at the club, from Martin and Sandra Werner to ‘Ric’, who came up with the idea in the first place, to Tiago, who is almost ten years older than me and stood up for me, really wanted me made the decision much easier. I was very happy about that.

Did you have to think long and hard about accepting Grünwettersbach's offer?

Of course, I discussed it with my partner, my closest friends, and my parents. But I came to the decision relatively quickly that I would like to do it.

What were your original plans for the time after your career ended?

My plans haven't really changed much. My main focus is still on my distance learning course. I'm doing my distance learning course in sports management completely online.

What are your basic expectations of your new role in Grünwettersbach?

It's not a 24/7 job; it's about looking after the first team until the end of the season, initially on match days and around match days. It's not about day-to-day training, but of course I'm supposed to be in contact with the guys a bit, even when they're on the road. They're all welcome to contact me anytime, of course, but the main focus is on supporting the guys during games and creating a good atmosphere overall, maybe taking a few things off their hands here and there. As I said, I see coaching as a team task.

What are the short-term goals of the club and yourself?

The goal is to have a good season. That means avoiding relegation if possible. The league is extremely strong, and ASC Grünwettersbach may not have quite the same financial resources as the top teams, even if we do manage to upset them from time to time. So the goal is to have a worry-free season and maybe even reach the quarterfinals in the Champions League, even though we have a real toughie waiting for us in GV Hennebont. It would also be nice, of course, to give the fans some great home games and to bring in young players from time to time and enable them to take the next step.

Be honest: your former team from Bad Königshofen will be on the other side in Grünwettersbach at the beginning of October. Are you looking forward to it, or does the thought make you feel uneasy after your long time with your home club?

Yes, of course I'm looking forward to seeing my former teammates again, as well as many people associated with the club, such as the physios and the fans who traveled with us. But it also makes me feel a little queasy, because I grew up in that club, and I think the return match in Bad Königshofen will be even more special. Of course, I hope that ASC beats TSV on October 5, but I also hope that TSV wins as many games as possible for the rest of the season and finishes somewhere in the middle of the table. But hopefully TSV can collect its points elsewhere and not against ASC.

Thank you very much for talking to us, Kilian Ort.

Interview: Florian Manzke