Patrik Andersson on Bayern Munich, Sweden and Champions League success
An interview with Patrik Andersson, by Callum McFadden for WFi.
You started your career in Malmö in your home country Sweden before you moved to the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers. How do you reflect on your first years in the game?
“I played in the youth national team from a young age and Roy Hodgson was the coach who took me to Malmö as a 17-year-old.
– My father was a football player in Malmö for sixteen years and also in the Swedish national team. He gave me advice all the way and encouraged me to take my opportunity in Malmö.
“Roy had a lot of confidence in me and played regularly with me as a teenager, which helped me develop my game.
“He was a good role model who had won league titles in Sweden before coming to Malmö. He is highly respected in Swedish football.
“His contribution to the match was crucial. He also kept his distance from his players but could also teach you. He expected the best in every training session and had great knowledge of football.
“I played well in Malmö under him and I played well at the European Championships in 1992, which led to interest in me from some British clubs including Manchester United and Leeds and Blackburn.
“But when I met Kenny Dalglish I wanted to join Blackburn Rovers and work with him. I grew up watching British football and that was the start of the Premier League era.
“It was an exciting time and something new for football in the UK. I enjoyed my time in English football. The crowd was passionate and you could guess the direction the Premier League was starting to go.”
You moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1993. What led you to move to German football?
“I was originally a midfielder in Sweden while I played for the national team in the center half. I did not have regular opportunities to play in that position in Blackburn.
“So for me it was important to play every week and Borussia Mönchengladbach offered me that opportunity.”
Within 18 months of arriving in Germany, you won the German Cup. How was that cup and what are your memories from the final in Berlin against Wolfsburg, as well as your time in the club as a whole?
“When I signed for Borussia Mönchengladbach, they fought at the wrong end of the table. We then won five matches in a row and went on a fantastic race.
“We were a team with lots of potential with quality players like our forwards Stefan Effenberg, Martin Dahlin and Heiko Herrlich.
“During 34 matches we were not consistent enough in the league but in the cup we were very good and defeated strong opposition on the way to winning the cup.
“Winning the German Cup meant a lot to me. You can compare it to winning the English FA Cup because Germany is a football-crazy nation just like England. Playing at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin was also special.
“I have only fond memories of that day.
“After the cup final, we continued to play two seasons in a row in Europe. We had some fantastic years at the club.
“Unfortunately, the Bosman ruling was not in favor of a club like Borussia Mönchengladbach because it became more difficult to compete. We did not have the same assets as the traditional big clubs and the gap to the top became large.
“I signed a long-term contract with Gladbach in 1995 which lasted until 2000. I could actually have gone to Real Madrid in the summer of 1997 under Jupp Heynckes but the club did not want to allow me to leave and I reluctantly chose to stay at the club after discussions with them.
“But when we were relegated in 1999, that changed everything and I had to move on.”
You came to Bayern Munich in 1999. How did it feel to join such a historic and well-known football club?
“It was an exciting time. Bayern is a club that all players in Germany want to join. That is the main goal.
“I won two Bundesliga titles, another German cup and two league cups in Bavaria.
“I will always remember my first conversation with Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. He told me that he could not promise me anything and that I would only play if I deserved my place.
“I joined the team when they just won the domestic title by 14 points and lost the Champions League final in 1999 against Manchester United at Camp Nou. That match on paper should have been 3-0 to Bayern rather than 2-1 to Manchester United, but it shows how unpredictable football can be.
“I went with Bayern to compete for big trophies and to show myself against the best in training and also in matches. That was my motivation to join the club. I always backed off to succeed.
“The club’s mentality and tradition is ruthless. You are against the rest of Germany. That’s how it feels.”
In addition to several domestic awards, you also won the Champions League 2001 against Valencia at the San Siro. Can you put into words what it’s like to win European football’s premier competition?
“The whole run was fantastic. We played against Arsenal in the group stage, beat Manchester United in both legs during the knockout phase and defeated Real Madrid in both legs to reach the final against Valencia.
“Valencia had a strong team at that time under the leadership of Héctor Cúper. It was a game about playing with the mind.
“It was a fairly calm match against a strong opponent who only penalties could decide. Winning the tournament was a great joy.
“It was a dream come true for me. The Champions League is the biggest title in the world. Some may claim that the World Cup is bigger, but for me it is only four weeks while the Champions League is during a season against the very best the teams, the players and the coaches.
“After 1999, Bayern had a strong goal to make sure we won the Champions League as quickly as possible. It was a relief to write history for the fans.
“As a midfielder, what was it like playing in front of Oliver Kahn? He must have given you a lot of confidence in defense as a safety net.
“He was crucial as a player. The shots you thought were already going in, he was going to save them. He was fantastic in our Champions League campaign and showed his class in the final in the penalty shootout. He was a player for the pressured moments.”
After the tournament, you were named UEFA’s team of the year and replaced Bayern with Barcelona. Was it always an ambition for you to play Spanish football, especially considering Madrid’s interest in you in the past?
“Yes, I had played in Germany for eight years and Madrid and Barcelona are clubs that you as a Swede do not normally reach.
“The club followed me closely that year and I knew their interest. All the players in Bayern Munich during that era would also have gone to Barcelona.
“I had won seven titles in Munich and it was time for a new challenge.
“It was not an easy move because after the Champions League final I returned to Sweden and the deal was doubtful. I called Ottar Hitzfeld and asked him if I could go to Barcelona.
“He said no but leave it with me. I might change if we can find a replacement. A few weeks later; I called him again and he repeated that he would not let me go.
“After that I had to call Uli Hoeneß and ask him if I could go to Barcelona. He stated that Ottmar’s decision was final. However, that changed a couple of hours later when they called back and said that Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge would approve the transfer if they received a certain fee.
“That fee was matched and I could make the move.”
Do you look back on your time in Barcelona with frustration due to your struggles with injuries when you were at the club?
“I started well. The first half of the season went well but after my first injury in February 2002 it became more difficult.
“The World Cup was on its way and I pushed myself to be in shape for it. Unfortunately, I broke down the night before the opening match against England and lost eight months with injury.
“Overall, I’m not happy that I did not get the opportunity to play as much as I wanted but I made friends for life and I loved the experience of playing for the club.”
You represented Sweden on 96 occasions and played in the team that finished third at the 1994 World Cup. How much did it mean to you to represent your country?
“Our team started our journey in 1988 and many of us played together in the European Championships in 1992. We had agreement and many of us were successful at club level.
“During our good days we knew we could beat any team in the world but unfortunately we had to play against Brazil twice in 1994. Once in the group stage and once in the semi-finals.
“They had a different level in their game and they deserved to go through the day. We won the bronze medal at the tournament which filled us with pride because we wanted to win something together for our nation.
“After the success in 1994, we got a lot more respect and attention from fans and the media. For me, it worked well personally and made it possible for me to continue kicking in club football.”
Finally, Patrik, who were your toughest opponents in your career and the best coaches you worked with?
“My toughest opponent was Romario in the 1994 World Cup. His movement was excellent. He was fast but also very physical.
“As a defender you want to keep in touch with your opponent to keep them in check but he does not have an easy time keeping the ball away. It was tough to control him with his body so it was his time when he read the games. His timing was unmatched.
“When it comes to coaches, I would first and foremost say that Roy Hodgson and Bob Houghton. Two British coaches who were very helpful to me in Malmö.
“They gave me encouragement and the tools to succeed in all matches.
“Most recently, Ottmar Hitzfeld was another great coach. He could control a team regardless of the characters in the locker room. He was a great reader of the game who always seemed to know which substitutes to make and when. Ottmar could also choose the best starting eleven for each. given resistance. “