Reis: “Everything We Can Achieve Now Is A Bonus”-Süper-Lig-League With Samsunspor

Ex-Schalke-Coach im Interview

Thomas Reis can create historical work with the Turkish first division club Samsunspor. The Black Sea Club has never been represented in the European Cup-and seven game days before the end of the season, Süper Lig was third in the team of the ex-Schalke and Bochum coach, which was traded as a relegation candidate before the start of the season. On Friday (7 p.m.), however, a heavy chunk comes to Samsun with championship favorite Galatasaray. In the interview, Reis talks about the game against the record champion, increased expectations in the club environment, an impending cadre break in summer and its own future.

Transfermarkt: Mr. Reis, Friday you receive Galatasaray for the top game with Samsunspor Galatasaray. Annoying or psychologically even an advantage for you that your pursuer Besiktas of all people conquered the lions as the first team this season?

Thomas Reis: You can’t choose something like that. In the end, it is a game against one of the best teams in Türkiye, which, since the distance to the second has become a little lower, certainly does not come here. For us, after two defeats in a row, the game can be a gamuchanger that leads back to the right track. Maybe many think that we usually don’t have a chance. But I know such games from Germany and on a special day on which everything works, it can be possible. We are definitely looking forward to a sold -out hut, that is not always the case.

Transfermarkt: How do you prepare your own team for an opponent who arrives with top stars like Osimhen, Morata or Mertens?

Reis: Of course, the games against the big Istanbul clubs or our Black Sea derby against Trabzonspor, which is a bit higher in the prestige, are the highlights of the season. And that’s why you try to take the pressure. We want to approach the game with joy. To enjoy these games, you play football and that’s why I have become a coach. We want to make as few mistakes as possible and then we see what jumps out. As I said, the pressure is more at gala than with us.

Transfermarkt: When we looked at Samsunspor for the first time in the autumn, our Turkey expert said that they changed the tactics of their predecessor Markus Gisdol-from switching to control. How did that develop over the season?

Reis: In the first six months we played a little differently. The advantage we could pull out of the transfer lock was that the boys all knew each other well. Markus had taken on here under difficult conditions and had no preparation. He concentrated on the game on the second ball and thus managed to stay in the league. But I had the preparation and we worked on philosophy there. In the meantime, of course, it is the case that the opposing teams have better prepared for us and we had a few injury problems. Therefore, we recently focused more on the switching game with needles. But that depends on the game: how do you feel that day? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent?

Transfermarkt: What is the route for Friday evening?

Reis: Against Galatasaray it will usually be the case that we have a little less possession. I assume that you try to make the game and put us under pressure. Then it is inevitably a switching game. But if there is the possibility, I want us to play the ball in our own ranks over a number of stations. So far our spirit has awarded us very much. It must also be seen on Friday if we want to have a chance.

Does Samsunspor still fall out of TOP-4? Rice about increased expectations

Transfermarkt: You have already mentioned the last less good results – just a win from the last six league games. Do you run out of breath a little in the final sprint?

Reis: I have respect for every opponent, but we did not play at least one half at our best level. Nevertheless, it would have been possible to win the games. Most recently against Antalya (1: 2, editor’s note), we had a weaker first half, but in the second round the game completely under control and many scoring opportunities played out, but unfortunately not made the best out of it. Our goal was to stay in the league. And everyone said that it will be a fight to the end. We managed to choose this fight for us in advance. The team cannot do anything that the claims are now increasing now. I like to take it with me because nobody expected it. We are not real Madrid. We already know who we are.

Transfermarkt: Reaching the European Cup would be a historical opportunity.

Reis: Naturally. If you are in this situation to get three to five seven game days before the end, this is an outstanding thing. But I think we play a huge season either way. We performed fantastically, won super many points, made it clear early. Of course we now want to defend this position as long as possible. But you really shouldn’t forget where you come from.

Of course we now want to defend this position as long as possible. But you really shouldn’t forget where you come from.

Transfermarkt: How do you perceive the view in the city, in the club, in the team? At least from the outside, Turkish football often looks a bit more excited than the German.

Reis: Of course, the president dreams, everyone dreams here – that’s nice too. It is crazy that we got so far that people can dream here. We play at a very high level throughout the season. We now have to replace players, which may not have been the case in the first six months. Now there are others who deserve this in training and can jump into the breach. I am glad that we did not have this phase at the beginning, but have developed a cushion and can now consume it. We can play relatively pressure -free because everything we can now achieve is bonus.

Transfermarkt: Let’s jump back a bit. You spoke to Markus Gisdol when you started the job in summer. What did he advise you?

Reis: That’s right, but I only deliberately spoke to him afterwards because I only wanted to get an idea of ​​the team for two or three weeks. I didn’t want to analyze individual players. Ultimately, it was about the philosophy that he followed how the club and the people tick here. It is simply different in some places in Turkey than in Germany. (smiles) He advised me to concentrate my energy on the essentials: the team and the preparation for the respective game.

Rice about culture in Turkey and linguistic challenges

Transfermarkt: “I honestly said to the players at the beginning that I also have to settle in that I have to get to know everyone,” they said in Turkey at the beginning of their time. How much are you now?

Reis: Very good, I think! Nevertheless, it is a big challenge in a foreign country, in a foreign culture where you have to take many things into account. Now we just had the Ramadan. That was new for me to be faced with two thirds of the players. In Germany there may be one or two players per team. Then how does the training control work, what time do you train, how is it best? In addition, there are prayer times, especially on Friday. We also have eleven or twelve different nations in the squad. Everyone has their own mentality, even if they may not play. You have to reconcile everything, but at the same time specify a frame in which everyone moves. This is exactly what makes the task here so exciting. I deliberately wanted to take such an experience abroad in my career.

Transfermarkt: Many nationalities are a good keyword. How do you communicate with the team?

Reis: I don’t speak Turkish myself. Of course you try to acquire a few words, the basics. This also ensures a smile on my face among the employees in the club – and I think not because of my pronunciation. (laughs) I also have an interpreter for working with the players. Many people don’t speak English, especially among the Turkish professionals, then this is a great advantage. Ultimately, I probably met more people in Samsun who speak German than English.

Transfermarkt: If you look at the conditions on site – training center, stadium, etc. – how does Samsunspor cut off in comparison to Bochum, Schalke or Wolfsburg?

Reis: In Germany, there are already three completely different clubs with different financial options. (smiles) What is available here and many other clubs in Turkey are their own rooms for the players directly in the training center. So theoretically and practical, the boys can stay here or between the units, lie down during the lunch break. When we train twice a day, there is breakfast, lunch, dinner. We can work in two and a half training places. That is very, very good. And the luxury in summer is that when you sit while eating, the sea begins 30 meters further. That is good for the heart and mind.

Rice about your own future and Samsunspors Summer Transfers

Transfermarkt: How high is the likelihood that we will see her on the bench at Samsunspor in the coming season?

Reis: The likelihood that I can stay is very, very large. My contract is designed in such a way that it is automatically extended by another year when staying in the class. We have not yet fully achieved this, but that is a matter of time for 51 points. So far I have not spoken to any other club. My full concentration is the success this season. We want to make sure that it will be remembered as long as possible. I got the chance to work abroad for the first time, I appreciate that. And what comes in summer will be discussed after the season.

Transfermarkt: They have already mentioned the transfer lock – it has now ended. Will Samsunspor become active on the transfer market or continue to rely on resistance?

Reis: I think other coaches or clubs may see it differently that a squad is mixed by 20 to 30 percent a year. This gives you new input, creating new competitions. Now we have the situation that some contracts expire. There are players who we would like to keep. But because we play a good season, they get into the focus of other clubs accordingly. A plan B must be available for these cases. The plans for this run in parallel. That’s why I think that there could be a greater change.

Transfermarkt: To what extent are you involved in the squad planning?

Reis: Fuat çapa, our director of professional football, who ultimately also committed me, has the hat on and therefore currently a lot of work. Of course we are in exchange, have regular meetings, in which I sometimes say that this or that player might be interesting for us. This can be built on: Is it financially feasible? Is this player interested in coming to Turkey? This is not always easy because Turkey is not always the main goal of a younger player. But I would also not say that we have to search in this or that position. That would be a bit disrespectful towards the players who are here.

Transfermarkt: You have worked in the youth field for a long time. How is Samsunspor set up there? Not enough to rely on the next generation is something that Turkish clubs are often accused of with a view to international games and the national team.

Reis: Of course, Samsunspor is also careful to advance youth players. It was the case this year that one or the other missions received. A difference between professionals and youth is that with the first team we cover many of the very long distances here in the country by plane. The youth, on the other hand, take the bus almost everywhere. Some of the youth players sit more on buses than they are on the training ground. In my opinion, the association should rethink that. This inhibits them in development. In addition, there are no second teams, which means that they have to work immediately. If not, they are awarded to the 3. or 4. League.

Transfermarkt: In addition to her, Kingsley Schindler’s contract also expires. He is a regular and praised the collaboration with them in a “sports show” article. Would you like to hold it?

Reis: Kingsley is a very pleasant player. He can play several positions, which is a great advantage if you have it in the squad and there are injuries, for example. Of course, he now has to ask himself the question: does he want to play here for another year or two or maybe change again? I am currently focusing more on the current circumstances and these topics are running in the background and are certainly clarified promptly.

Interview: Marius Soyke