Frankfurt and Salzburg “almost on the same level”
Last summer Jerome Onguene left FC Red Bull Salzburg for Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer after almost five years together – but six months later the defender is back in the city of Mozart.
Progress slowed Onguene’s breakthrough at reigning Europa League winners in the autumn season. In Salzburg, the 25-year-old Cameroonian, who is on loan until the end of the season, should find his way back to his old strength.
“I decided to return to Salzburg because I feel at home here. I’ve spent some wonderful years here and I still have a lot of friends,” Onguene explained his decision in an interview with the “table football“.
“I also know the goals and philosophy of the club. That makes it possible for me to gain match practice and integrate myself immediately,” says the central defender, who is full of energy.
Onguene “both mentally and physically ready”
Especially because he’s finally fit again. “Right now I’m feeling really good. I got over the cognitions and feel mentally and physically ready,” said Onguene, who hasn’t played a single minute since moving to Frankfurt.
Nevertheless, he still thinks the transfer to Hessen was the right decision. “I had a great few months in Frankfurt with the team and the coaching staff. Everything went very well. I was just unlucky with the realizations that prevented me from playing.”
He also has great praise for Eintracht head coach Oliver Glasner. “I’ve worked with him for a few months and I have to say that he’s a very good coach,” said Onguene.
“But he’s not only a good coach, he’s also a very good person. He thinks a lot and talks to us. That’s how he helps his players. He also takes an active part in training himself, so it’s easier for us to understand what he wants from us.”
Frankfurt? Salzburg? “There is not much difference”
Now it goes back to Matthias Jaissle. Onguene will not experience any kind of loss of quality – neither in terms of training nor the structures in the club.
“There isn’t a big difference between these teams – neither in the quality nor in the training sessions. It’s almost on the same level. In my opinion, Frankfurt want to play the same football as Red Bull Salzburg. The training sessions are very similar, there are only small ones Differences. In any case, the intensity is the same,” says the Cameroonian.
With Maximilian Wöber, an important defensive support of the “bulls” left the club this winter. Still, the competition for playing time remains high. Onguene accepts the fight in any case.
“I know there are a lot of good players there. I have a lot of respect for all of them. I know a lot of them and have already played with some. The competition isn’t a problem for me,” says the 25-year-old.
“It doesn’t matter whether Bayern, Dortmund or an Austrian team”
“In the end, you have to respect the coach’s decisions anyway. Personally, I will only develop through time on the field. I will give everything for that until the end of the season,” Onguene continued.
The fact that the Admiral Bundesliga doesn’t offer the same level of opponents as the German Bundesliga doesn’t affect Onguene: “Nothing changes at all. I respect every team. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Bayern, Dortmund or an Austrian team. I’m becoming – also independent from the competition – always bring the same energy to the pitch.”
From next season at the latest it should be Bayern or Dortmund again, as Onguene clarifies. A new attack in Frankfurt is firmly planned for the coming season: “I have no doubts about that. I will return to Frankfurt in the summer and I know that my time there will only really begin then.”