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Give & Go: New York Red Bulls Head Coach Hans Backe
Goal.com interviews the veteran manager for the latest edition of Give & Go.
By John Zielonka
Apr 16, 2010
Backe’s highly mobile and well-traveled soccer career began in 1977. He coached throughout Scandinavia until the 2006 season. The following year the Swede had a brief stay in Greece before moving on to serve as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s assistant at Manchester City (2007) and the Mexican National Team (200 cool . Backe returned to England to become Notts County’s head man in 2009.
In this exclusive interview with John Zielonka, conducted prior to his gallbladder surgery, Backe shared his perspectives on his newest side, MLS, Designated Players and provided a season-ending prediction.
Goal.com: How did you end up with the New York Red Bulls?
Hans Backe: I left Notts County at the beginning of December. Erik Soler became the general manager at the beginning of December. He phoned me when I had left Notts County. I knew him a little bit from before. I said "yes" directly. It was definitely a different and new challenge in a new continent. I was in Mexico and saw a lot of MLS teams in the inter-league matches, the Super-Ligas, and I knew the level rather well.
Goal.com: With your exposure to MLS, how would you compare the level of play compared to what you’ve seen in other leagues?
Backe: It is difficult to say. You can't compare it with the Premiership in England, or the Spanish league, the Italian league, probably not the French league either. I think you can compare it to a league in Europe. I would say the best league in Scandinavia the Danish league. It is definitely comparable with that one. The Dutch league could be on a little bit higher level; probably not the highest teams like Ajax or PSV, but rather close to the Dutch league.
Goal.com: Has anything surprised you thus far about MLS or soccer in the U.S.?
Backe: I have been around, and every time you arrive everyone says well this will be a problem because you don't know the league. Soccer is the same all over the world. The only things with the MLS are some tricky rules with the salary caps, allocations money, trading and drafts. With me there's no difference between MLS and the rest of the world.
Goal.com: The Red Bulls struggled last year. How would you assess this year’s squad?
Backe: We played the first game against Chicago it was eight out of 11 starters from the last season. Of course, the priority has been the fitness level. We conceded 41 goals last season and need to work on the defending game. That has been the main target these past two-and-a-half months. I just feel I'm surprised in a way that after the rough season that their spirit could be that good when they came back. The attitude has been excellent. We got two, three new players that have been impressive. They have been outstanding all pre-season. So I think it was important, even if it was only friendly games, to start winning.
Goal.com: In looking at your 24-man roster, 14 of them come from outside of the U.S. We’re also seeing more foreign coaches, like you, in MLS. Do you think the league is becoming more international?
Backe: I look at Europe and in every country and in every club it's very global. I think when we were in Man City we had 12 different nationalities. I think that the future will be like that.
Goal.com: MLS recently announced the ability to sign a second and third Designated Player. Any plans to add more to your roster?
Backe: I'm rather confident that after the World Cup we’ll have three DP players. Nothing is confirmed. It is a lot of rumors, but I am confident we will be able to get at least one more designated player.
Goal.com: Last question. Will the Red Bulls make the playoffs?
Backe: That's the main target. It has to be the target. It's an even league and I think we're good enough to make the playoffs.
