Eric Dier combines many elements of European football, having been born in England, raised in Portugal, grown up in the Premier League and now turning out for Bayern. In an interview with members’ magazine ‘51’, he talks about the art of defending, different footballing cultures and why the club’s Red against Racism initiative means so much to him.
Interview with Eric Dier
Eric, you've been at Bayern for over a year now. What has surprised you the most here, both at the club and in Germany?
“That everything is closed on Sundays [smiles]. That's not the case in England. Here we've had to get used to having everything we need at home for Sundays.”
And at Bayern?
“Bayern is such a big club that you basically already know what to expect. But it's nice that the image the club conveys on the outside also corresponds to reality on the inside. What particularly impresses me are the Champions League evenings at the Allianz Arena. The atmosphere and the whole setting are extraordinary, even for players who have already seen a lot. That's when you really realise the charisma of this club.”
How does your everyday life here differ from your life in England?
“I lead a rather quiet life with my family. We had a daughter; she was born in London just a few days after I moved to Bayern. That's probably the biggest change for me. I took my first steps as a father in Germany, not in England, taking the pram through the Englischer Garten.”
Do you still live in the centre of Munich?
“For the first six months, we lived in the city centre - a great opportunity to really get to know Munich. Now we live just outside the city centre, which is more pleasant with a dog and a baby. We go for walks a lot, enjoy the peace and quiet and being close to nature.”
Coming to football now, what do you think makes the perfect centre-back?
“There are many different styles. You can be a very good defender in different ways. For me, controlled aggression is crucial. Our coach often says that, and I like that description. Being aggressive but with a cool head. The way I see it is that a centre-back must always think negatively first and foremost, always anticipate the worst-case scenario. Only then are you prepared to prevent it.”
Do you think strikers have it easier? Do they enjoy the game more?
“With them, the consequences aren’t so immediate. A goalkeeper can play outstandingly for 90 minutes, but a single mistake often costs a goal. It's similar as a defender. A striker, on the other hand, can miss 10 chances and still be the hero with a hat-trick. However, strikers are under enormous pressure to score goals. And if you look at clubs, they spend the most money on strikers because it's the hardest to find a really good one. I think we all enjoy our jobs. I love defending.”
Does it bother you to always have to think negatively?
“No. It's when you don't do it that mistakes happen. I can look back on moments in my career when I felt too confident, and that's when I was punished. That's the life of a defender.”
What particularly impresses me are the Champions League evenings at the Allianz Arena. The atmosphere and the whole setting are extraordinary, even for players who have already seen a lot. That's when you really realise the charisma of this club.
Eric Dier
How do you stay focussed during a game?
“I talk a lot. I learnt that early on from my coaches. Communication keeps me alert during the game. It helps me stay focussed and it helps my teammates.”
Many defenders started out as forwards and then moved back. Was it the same for you?
“At the beginning I was a right winger, then later a right-back, then I moved into the centre. In my youth, I also played as a left-back and in midfield, both at Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham. But I quickly felt that I could help my team the most as a centre-back.”
Do you know about former Bayern defenders like Georg ‘Katsche’ Schwarzenbeck or Klaus Augenthaler?
“They are great defenders in Bayern’s history. Of course, I know the most about Franz Beckenbauer. Everyone in England knows about him too. But apart from that, I mainly have the names of my generation in my head: David Alaba, Mats Hummels, Martín Demichelis - players I actively followed myself.”
The question is aimed at the fact that the role of a centre-back has changed considerably in recent decades.
“You can't compare different generations. Football is constantly evolving. In the last 10 years in particular, the game has changed enormously. Young players today are bigger, faster, stronger and often technically better trained than in the past. Defending has also changed. Teams defend higher, expose themselves to more risk, and goalkeepers like Manuel Neuer have revolutionised their position by acting as keepers who also get involved in play. Centre-backs now have more one-on-one duels, are further forward and are more involved in the build-up play. The demands are increasing for all positions, and I'm sure that football will continue to develop.”
Do you think that the classic libero like Franz Beckenbauer will return or that goalkeepers will take on that role?
“Manuel has set the standard for goalkeepers playing alongside the defence. So, I can imagine that things will continue in this direction. Football is like a mathematical equation. You look for ways to create numerical overloads. Many teams play man-to-man, and that's why the goalkeeper is becoming more and more important in order to create those numerical advantages.”
Going back to your youth in Portugal. What are the biggest differences to England and Germany?
“Everything is different! [laughs]”
Really?
“Yes, absolutely. First of all, I have to say that Portugal is a fantastic, beautiful country – my home. I grew up there, both as a footballer and as a person. The culture is relaxed, but at the same time the passion for football is huge. The three big clubs - Sporting, Benfica and Porto - have a strong tradition of developing talent. For me, it was a privilege to be trained at the Sporting academy. They gave me everything I needed to become a professional and really supported me along the way.”
It's often said that Portuguese football is more technical, while England is considered to be more physical.
“It's difficult for me to compare, as I never played in an English academy. In my opinion, one difference between Portugal and England is the competition in the youth teams. There’s already enormous competitive pressure in the English academy leagues. Even at the age of 15 or 17, there’s a lot of attention - national coverage, large crowds, high pressure. In Portugal, too, the young players face up to the competition and develop the necessary fighting spirit. But the fact that you're not under constant public scrutiny as a youngster means you can receive even better individual support.”
What do you mean by that?
“The coaches treat each player individually and try to develop them in the best possible way. And one crucial point is that they don't over-coach. I often see youth games where the coach is shouting all the time and dictating every movement to the players. But I think it's important that young players learn to think for themselves - to make mistakes, understand why they happened and find their own solutions. That was encouraged in Portugal and that helped me a lot.”
How would you describe the German style of football? What characterises the Bundesliga?
“The biggest difference to the Premier League is that the Bundesliga is very physical. Statistics such as running performance and sprint values show how athletic the league is. However, the game in Germany is a bit more controlled than in England. In the Premier League, there are a lot of quick switching moments - sometimes it feels like a tennis match because the ball is constantly going back and forth. That makes the league spectacular, but also less structured. In the Bundesliga, the teams rely more on controlled possession. The game is more organised, with clearer tactical structures.“
What do you make of the stadium atmosphere in Germany compared to the Premier League?
“It's spectacular. The atmosphere in the stadiums really impressed me. It's great fun to be part of it.”
Football has taught me so much and introduced me to so many different cultures. I’m infinitely grateful for that. Now in Munich I play with Minjae Kim from South Korea, Hiroki Ito from Japan, Phonzy Davies grew up in Canada, to name just a few examples. We learn so much from each other, we share experiences, views. Origin is simply irrelevant. You have to tackle goals together.
Eric Dier
Is there anyone in your team who has particularly impressed or even surprised you?
“Oh, I could list them all. Joshua Kimmich didn't surprise me because I already knew about him, but it's impressive to see him every day - his consistency, his attitude, his preparation and the way he works in every training session. The same goes for Thomas Müller. He embodies the club in a unique way. He conveys what Bayern Munich means through his behaviour, his training work and his games. It's great for every new player to have someone like him to look up to. You immediately understand what Bayern is all about. And then there's Manuel Neuer. He really surprised me - not because of his quality, of course I was aware of that, but because he is much calmer than I would’ve expected. He radiates an incredible calmness. But do you know what fascinates me most about him?”
Tell us.
“His passion for training. He's 38 years old and has won everything, really everything, but his love of football and his ambition are undiminished. That also explains why he's still playing at this level. For me, he's the best goalkeeper I've ever seen. And when you see him in training, you understand why. His attitude and daily commitment are simply impressive. Figures like Kimmich, Müller and Neuer are great role models, definitely - not just for us players, but also for people outside of football.”
The club’s Red against Racism initiative, which is marking its fifth anniversary, also goes beyond football.
“Racism is a social problem, not just related to football. It's an issue that exists everywhere, in the workplace, on the street, in everyday situations. However, football is a platform on which social issues are reflected. This makes it all the more important that the sport utilises its reach and that we as players send the right messages, especially to the younger generation.”
Is it particularly important to you to reach children and young people?
“Yes, absolutely. That's the crucial point. Young people learn from their environment. Nobody is born a racist. How you grow up, in what environment, with what values, that's fundamental. That's why we as footballers have a huge responsibility to send out the right message. And from my own experience, I can say that football is a wonderful example of diversity and integration. I've experienced that myself.“
In what way?
“As a child, I was in a special situation. I was an Englishman in Portugal, an outsider. But I was given a fantastic welcome and we quickly learned together that you can only achieve your goals together and never exclude anyone. Since then, I've spent my life playing in teams with players from all over the world. Every team I've been in has had players from every continent. Football has taught me so much and introduced me to so many different cultures. I’m infinitely grateful for that. Now in Munich I play with Minjae Kim from South Korea, Hiroki Ito from Japan, Phonzy Davies grew up in Canada, to name just a few examples. We learn so much from each other, we share experiences, views. Origin is simply irrelevant. You have to tackle goals together.”
So diversity strengthens the team?
“Definitely. These little things - the relationships between the players, the mutual appreciation - make us stronger as a team. The feeling of working together towards a common goal, regardless of our background, is key. There's nothing better than working with a group of people who all share the same goal and appreciate each other in the process. Differences only make you stronger in the end.”
What does Bayern mean to you now?
“I've learnt so much here, especially from teammates like Thomas, Manuel, Joshua, even from a young guy like Jamal Musiala and everyone else. What makes Bayern special is this special culture of the club: cohesion, familiarity - things happen automatically here without anyone thinking about it. Like in a big family. That's impressive.”
How is that noticeable?
“In the attention to detail. Birthdays, family events, personal milestones - all of these are recognised and appreciated here. When I became a father, I was overwhelmed by the club's support. Bayern is a big club and its unique culture means that it always takes these little things into account. That's how you develop a winning mentality. Bayern does everything for its players and their families. It creates a bond that goes beyond football. And you want to give that back on the pitch.”
This interview appeared in the March edition of members’ magazine ‘51’
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