Hannover 96: record player Cherundolo on title hunt with Gareth Bale & Giorgio Chiellini – 2nd Bundesliga
The sun is shining – of course. Steven Cherundolo (43) is on his way to work. The Los Angeles FC coach said in a good mood: “Everything is fine with me. I’m going to practice right now. The daily traffic jam in LA (laughs). But I only need 25 minutes, that’s like coming from Burgwedel to 96.”
He played 302 games for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga – a record. Dolo also wrote in the 96 offspring, was an assistant coach. He has been coaching LAFC in Major League Soccer (MLS) since February – and this club is suddenly at the center of world football.
The reason: Italy’s European champion Giorgio Chiellini (38) and Wales superstar Gareth Bale (32) have moved from Juventus Turin and Real Madrid to Los Angeles.
Dolo: “I’m really looking forward to Bale and Chiellini. This will be exciting with this exception of both athletes. They are outstanding personalities who have a passion for football, a desire for something new. But they are also normal guys who play football and always want to win.”
Both have been eligible to play since Thursday. In the derby against LA Galaxy on Saturday (4 a.m. German time), both can play for their new club for the first time.
How do you get such megastars? “Of course you don’t scout such exceptional players,” says Dolo and laughs: “We received a signal from both of them. And if both sides really want it, then it works.”
Because there is a salary cap in the US, Chiellini and Bale are forgoing a lot of money. Dolo grins: “I’ll just say so much about the salary. Of course we can’t keep up with Real Madrid…”
After 18 rounds, Cherundolo and his squad are in 1st place in the Western Conference – since the 1st game day! “It’s going really well. We have a good team, everything fits together well,” says the three-time World Cup participant. Chiellini and Bale should make the team even better.
Title hunt with Chiellini and Bale!
The fans are already dreaming of the first championship. “Of course you can guess how expectations are rising,” says Cherundolo: “There are 14 professional sports teams in LA, people expect championships here. And if you don’t succeed, it becomes difficult. The pressure is always there.”
Is he still following 96?
“Clear! I always keep my fingers crossed.” He is still in daily contact with friends in Hanover. He followed the past season intensively because he is friends with ex-coach Christoph Dabrowski.
Dolo: “96 has now made a change again, it seems to happen every year (laughs). I recently spoke to Ron ( Zieler, ed.) on the phone. I wish him and the new team all the best.”
Can he imagine returning to Germany, even to 96?
“In general, I can imagine it very well. But I don’t plan it. We are very happy here in LA. When I return, it should be a longer-term story. But of course: Hannover and 96 will never be ticked off. However, one has to say at the moment: A lot has to come together…”