“We want to excite our fans with the way we play football.” – Women’s Head Coach Denny Krcmarek in Interview
Shortly before the start of the ADMIRAL Frauen Bundesliga season, head coach Denny Krcmarek talks about his first weeks in charge, the key areas the coaching staff focused on during pre-season, and his outlook for the upcoming campaign.
How has the team welcomed you, and what impressions have you gained so far?
“We were welcomed very openly and warmly from day one. The team is incredibly eager to learn, works with great commitment and shows a strong willingness to embrace new ideas and concepts. Of course, every change takes time, but we can feel every day that the players want to improve. That makes working with the team particularly exciting.”
What were your main priorities during pre-season, and what would you still like to work on in the final days before the competitive season begins?
“Our initial focus was on establishing a common foundation as quickly as possible, both in terms of our playing philosophy and our processes on and off the pitch. However, due to the late change of head coach, we only had just under three weeks to do so. Normally, pre-season lasts six to seven weeks, so this was certainly a challenge. The players handled the situation exceptionally well and worked with great intensity from the very beginning. We are certainly not at the end of our journey yet, and we will continue to refine many aspects in the coming weeks and throughout the league season. The key is that we continue to grow together as a team step by step.”
Vienna is known for its strong youth development and has already served as a stepping stone for many players. How have you followed the club’s development in recent years?
“Vienna has enjoyed an excellent reputation for developing young players for many years. I have followed this development very closely, through many matches but also through close communication with people at the club. We are delighted that players continue to earn opportunities to take the next step in their careers year after year. At the same time, we see it as our responsibility to continue developing the next generation and give them the opportunity to take on responsibility. That is a fundamental part of Vienna’s identity for us.”
What qualities does a coach need when working with so many young players?
“We are convinced that young players above all need patience, clarity and trust. They need guidance, but at the same time they need the freedom to gain their own experience and take responsibility. It is important to me to always have an open ear for the players and to create an environment in which they feel comfortable, play with courage and can fulfil their potential. Mistakes are a completely natural part of that process. If a player makes a mistake because she is trying to implement our playing philosophy with courage, then as a coaching staff we take responsibility for that. What matters is not the mistake itself, but the reaction to it. Does she have the courage to demand the ball again immediately? Does she take responsibility? That is exactly the attitude we want to encourage.”
What do you want your team to stand for this coming season?
“We want our team to be known for brave, but also intelligent football. We want to be proactive, while also having the flexibility to adapt to different opponents and match situations.
“Just as important to us is that every player can develop as fully as possible, both as a footballer and as a person. If, at the end of the season, we can say that we have grown closer together as a team and that every player has taken the next step in her development, then we will have achieved a lot. We also want to excite our fans with the way we play football. Hohe Warte is a special place, and we look forward to every bit of support from the stands. Together with our fans, we want to experience many special and emotional moments.”
How do you assess the level of the league this season?
“We have the impression that the league has taken another significant step forward in recent years. Many clubs are increasingly investing in infrastructure, professional structures and their coaching and support staff. As a result, the overall quality and competitiveness of the league continue to increase. At the same time, football as a whole is developing rapidly. Areas such as data analysis, scouting and the use of artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important. That is why it is important for us as a club to remain open-minded and continue developing.”
The season begins with a Vienna derby against Rapid Wien. Is the team feeling more nervous or excited about the match?
“We mainly sense a great deal of excitement. A Vienna derby to start the season is something special, and these are exactly the kinds of games you work towards. Of course, a certain amount of tension is part of it, but our focus is on our own performance. We want to play with courage, bring our playing philosophy onto the pitch and make a strong start to the season together. We are looking forward to a great atmosphere at Hohe Warte. Games like these thrive on emotion and the fans. That’s why we hope as many supporters as possible will come out to support us and start the new season together with us.”
