Bayern are training on ‘his ’ pitch in Dubai. ‘His’ team play their home games at the Al Maktoom stadium. However, Frank Pagelsdorf has thrown open the doors for the visitors from Bayern. The 51-year-old, a former Bundesliga coach with Hansa Rostock and Hamburger SV, now supervises local top flight outfit Al-Nasr, and has been observing FCB train with great professional interest.
Pagelsdorf has just rejoined Al-Nasr after an earlier spell in charge from 2004-5. The club has previously had three other German bosses, Eduard Geyer, Hagen Reek and Reiner Hollmann. Pagelsdorf spoke to fcbayern.de about his somewhat unusual job in Dubai.
Interview: Frank Pagelsdorf
fcbayern.de: How do you come to be coaching here in Dubai?
Frank Pagelsdorf: “It all started five years ago with Eduard Geyer’s assistant, Hagen Reeck. He told me Al-Nasr wanted a German coach. He and Geyer were previously at the club and also took Energie Cottbus to a training camp in Dubai seven or eight years ago. I took a look around, and decided to stay. It's been a lot easier deciding to come here a second time, because I knew what to expect. I know the club, and knew conditions would be excellent.“
fcbayern.de: Why do Al-Nasr prefer German coaches?
Pagelsdorf: “It depends who wins the league. If a Brazilian coach wins the league, the next wave of coaches will be Brazilian. That’s how it is here.“
fcbayern.de: What’s the motivation to coach in Dubai?
Pagelsdorf: “Football is on the up in Dubai and the UAE. When I was here five years ago, there was no professional league, but there’s been one for a season now. They’re keen to build up the professional game and the national team.“
fcbayern.de: Is football the number one sport here?
Pagelsdorf: “No. Camel and horse racing, and various other sports, are more popular. But football’s coming along, and the people here are passionate about it.“
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