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Sandro Wagner can look forward to the good reviews of his work as a TV expert.
Wagner, who played for FC Bayern, Hoffenheim and Darmstadt in his time as a professional, works for DAZN and approaches his task in a refreshingly different way.
He gets “a lot of positive feedback, also from other broadcasters.
I didn't even have as many offers as now when I was playing - the only thing I haven't heard from KiKa, ”said the 33-year-old in an interview.
Despite enjoying his job, the former striker is aiming for a new role.
Wagner is already using his meticulous preparation for his TV appearances for this.
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Question:
Sandro Wagner, you have been a DAZN expert since this season and have received top reviews.
Who do you actually like to listen to?
Sandro Wagner:
Mehmet Scholl is great.
Lothar Matthäus, Dietmar Hamann and formerly Oliver Kahn.
There are already some who are technically top-class and entertaining.
Question:
What do you dislike?
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Wagner:
Commentators who write down ten funny sayings and thrash them down.
That doesn't do me much personally.
I also think that's out of time, that doesn't pick people up anymore.
My perception is that today's viewers want more depth.
After his career, Sandro Wagner switched to the microphone - with great success
Source: Bongarts / Getty Images / Maja Hitij
Question:
Why is the job of an expert appealing to you?
Wagner:
I've always been extremely interested in tactical issues and the mentality of teams and players.
At home on the sofa I usually annoyed my wife with it - now I'm happy that a few people volunteered to listen to me.
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Question:
At DAZN you regularly analyze the Champions League and top games in the Bundesliga.
Your contract will run until the end of the season.
How long do you want to do the expert job?
Wagner:
I can well imagine
that
in the next few years.
But I see it totally relaxed.
It's not my main job, it's something that I enjoy.
And because I invest a lot of work in the analyzes, it also brings me something for my further professional future.
Question:
You are an expert on games and a co-commentator.
Why the dual role?
Wagner:
The co-comment of a football-related expert also adds a different depth to the game.
Therefore, other broadcasters are now doing it more and more.
Question:
You are a man of clear words.
Have ex-colleagues ever complained about criticism?
Wagner:
Really don't complain.
One of the people in charge just jokingly wrote to me that I shouldn't be so hard on a striker.
After missions I always get a few messages from players and coaches.
And this feedback brings me a lot, because that's where the real professionals speak when it comes to football.
I also like to exchange ideas with other commentators and other media experts in order to develop myself further in terms of communication.
You should never think that you can do everything.
Question:
You made your TV debut as an expert at the 2020 Champions League final for ZDF - between your ex-club Bavaria and Paris.
How did the cold start of the biggest game of the year with almost 13 million viewers come about?
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Wagner:
Moderator Jochen Breyer called me in Italy in the summer and asked me.
I didn't hesitate long.
That evening I noticed: The job as an expert is fun, it suits me, I don't have to act - that's the most important thing for me.
From ZDF it was certainly a huge leap of faith.
Fortunately, things went pretty well.
Question:
Then it went to DAZN.
Curiously, as the successor to Per Mertesacker, who switched to ZDF.
Who Made the Better Deal?
Wagner:
You have to ask ZDF and DAZN that.
But in general I get a lot of positive feedback, also from other broadcasters.
I didn't even have that many offers during player times - the only
thing I haven't heard
from KiKa (
children's channel; d. Editor
).
The feedback to me in the social networks should also be pretty positive, that wasn't always the case in the past.
I'm really happy that people like what I say about myself - and that they feel well entertained.
Question:
Why did you go to DAZN?
Wagner:
I like that it's all about football there and that DAZN has really good, competent people.
I often stopped watching other channels because it is more like a jungle camp and the focus is not on football.
Question:
How do you prepare?
Wagner:
I watch at least two games from both teams: the last one and one that happened a few weeks ago to see how things develop.
I write down everything that is important and try to understand the tactics and further background.
That fits in perfectly with what I plan to do in the future.
In the summer I plan to start full-time as a trainer.
Question:
How does the TV job help with the coaching work?
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Wagner:
The preparation for the missions as well as the analysis in the live commentary and after the game contain aspects that I later have to master as a coach.
During the game, I have to recognize the alignment of the teams and think about what the teams could do better.
It's super interesting.
At Leipzig against Liverpool we said that Julian Nagelsmann would now have to bring Orban and Poulsen to close the middle and attack Liverpool's central defender in front.
And so it happened.
Seeing and tracking how successful trainers react is what helps me.
Question:
What are your coaching ambitions?
Wagner:
I'm currently doing my coaching license and I'm a forward coach for the DFB's national U-teams.
What exactly I will do in the coming season has not yet been finalized.
There will be news soon.
The text was written for the sports competence center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first appeared in SPORT BILD.