Holger Gehrke: From the Bundesliga star to the goalkeeper coach in Mallorca!

Holger Gehrke: From the Bundesliga star to the goalkeeper coach in Mallorca!

Mallorca, Spanien - Cologne football has an exciting story, and an old acquaintance has come into focus again: Holger Gehrke, who once stood for FC Schalke 04 and the MSV Duisburg between the posts, has made a name for itself as a coach in Mallorca. At the age of 64, Gehrke looks back on a moving career that not only brought him sporting success, but also the opportunity to pass on his passion for football to the next generation. As The West has reported his footsteps to the idyllic island, where he now moved in 'Fussicamp' young goalkeeper.

Gehrke trains prospective talents between the ages of 8 and 19 and attaches great importance to the quality of the training. "We work in small, homogeneous groups so that everyone receives the individual attention they need," says Gehrke. This enables training that close to the conditions in the professional sector. Methods are used that he once learned at his stations in the Bundesliga and the Turkish Club Fenerbahçe Istanbul.

a dream for many

The young kickers often dream of playing for a big Bundesliga club one day. Gehrke encourages them to find their own way: "It is important that the children are motivated and work for their own dream not for the parents." However, reality can be tough, as he knows himself. Sometimes he has to explain to the parents that not every talent will make the leap into the Bundesliga. But Gehrke is convinced that players can develop over time.

a new way for Americans

It is also particularly exciting that Gehrke is part of the International Soccer Academy, who trains young footballers from the USA who want to move to Europe. One example is 17-year-old Finn Fenske, who trains at Gehrke and prepares for a trial training session for the Junior Bundesliga. "We use the contacts that I have from my time in the Bundesliga to improve the chances of these players," explains Gehrke with a smile.

Jonas Brendieck, a 22-year-old goalkeeper who played for MSV Duisburg in youth, also receives Gehrke's support. He was sitting on the bench in the second and third Bundesliga and now hopes to gain a foothold in the professional business. The training sessions at Gehrke offer him a valuable way to demonstrate his skills and get his career going again.

Holger Gehrke has his life in Mallorca firmly under control and does not treat himself to a break. Incidentally, the former Bundesliga professional has lived on the island since 1994. With his diverse experience from the Bundesliga, he not only sees his task in teaching, but also in encouragement, promoting possible talents and realistically assessing their potential.

For those who want to strive for similar careers to Gehrke or even a trainer, there are now also ways to train and train professionally. Information on this can be found at DFB Akademie , which offers a structured approach to trainer qualification. Modern football not only requires technical skills, but also a good network and the ability to properly promote talents.