MC Prussian Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 It all started a few weeks back, when I came up with the silly idea to ask Bruno Berner about his time at Leicester City. I contacted his current employer, FC Zurich, and inquired about the possibility for an interview. Soon enough, Bruno Berner let me know that he'd gladly participate in a Q&A session. So I sent him a few questions of mine and a couple of days later, he had replied to all of them. He was even kind enough to answer to a couple more in relation to our recent promotion to the Premier League. On this occasion, I'd like to thank Patrick Lienhart, FC Zurich's media spokesperson, and, of course, Bruno Berner for his willingness to participate in this questionnaire and for spending some of his precious time to answer it all. Without any further ado, here we go: 01. Bruno, did you celebrate the definitive promotion last Saturday? If so, how? Yes, I did. I tend to follow the team and their games online. 02. From what you’ve seen so far, how would you describe the Leicester City of 2013/2014? Leicester has been part of the best teams in the Championship from the start. Nigel has been able to win a couple of important games early on and manage to display a certain consistency. The players have won their confidence back that they were robbed of after the playoff defeat against Watford last May. The period around Christmas is a very important one in English football, this is when the managers set the tone for the rest of the season. And in the January transfer window, Nigel pulled a big one with the signing of Kevin Phillips, who's brought a lot of additional experience to the team. Apart from that, he kept the same squad together and improved the performance on a steady basis. I think the balance within the squad is outstanding at the moment. 03. Can you tell us a bit about how the switch from Blackburn Rovers to Leicester City came about/why you decided to come to Leicester? After all, the club had just been relegated to the third tier of English football for the very first time - a particularly negative experience, with many fans suffering for quite a while, as well. And there must’ve been offers from other clubs, too. Leicester’s chief scout, Steve Walsh, had observed me during the 2007/2008 season, when I was playing for Rovers against Coventry City in the FA Cup. We lost 4-1 and I played in three different positions that day: Left-back and right-back, as well as right midfielder. It was Nigel Pearson’s aim to return to the Championship immediately and I just fit the profile. Leicester City is a fantastic club with plenty of tradition and a terrific fanbase. I wanted to further prove myself in the Football League. There was no interest from Premiership clubs, and only a few from the Championship that year. Leicester City wanted me the most. And so I made one of the best decisions of my entire career and signed for three years. 04. According to your vita, you’ve played more games for Leicester City than for any other club in your career - in hindsight, do you feel a special bond with the club? If so, why? Yes. I love and admire football in England. When I was still with SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, I always kept an eye out on a transfer to England. I’ll always be thankful to Mark Hughes for bringing me over to Blackburn. But the real big chance that I got to prove myself in England was thanks to Leicester City and Nigel Pearson. 05. In your active years, you were thrown aback a couple of times due to injury (your shoulder or foot, for instance) - how did you manage to overcome it all, where does that will to push on stem from? I was born with this will. If I want something, then there’s nothing going to stop me. If I aim for something, I take that path and accept it with all its consequences. Whatever I begin, I do bring it to an end. I always wanted to become a footballer and live football, even when I was still little. And being able to take a hit or two in your career is part of being a footballer, just as much as it is in life. With time, I learnt that setbacks can also be chances. 06. How do you explain your „second spring“ with Leicester? You remained mostly injury-free, became an important part of the first-team squad and you scored a couple of important goals, which is pretty rare for left-backs. One could say, you blossomed once more, which at the age of thirty and being a field player, is rather unusual. Up until my time in the U18 squad at Grasshopper Zurich, I usually played as a striker or winger. I’ve always enjoyed scoring or setting up goals. I scored a few from set-pieces, and that is mainly depending on concentration, conviction and - again - willpower. Due to the numerous injuries and setbacks, I had to renounce on football for quite a long stretch in my life. This dry spell certainly helped me remain hungry even in my thirties and I made up for what others had already been through years ago. Also, Nigel Pearson was one of the key elements for my *second spring“. 07. In your career, you played for several clubs in Switzerland, as well as in Spain, Germany or England. What was your experience surrounding your transfers - did you accept it as a sportive challenge or would you have rather stayed with some clubs for a longer period of time? Each transfer is a challenge, in particular the ones outside of Switzerland. You encounter a different culture, a different mentality and language, amongst others. At Grasshopper (Zurich), I experienced a merry-go-round situation, with six managers in four years. I would have loved to stay longer at Basel, yet my relationship with the then-manager had come to a new low. It was far from being an optimal situation, so I decided to dare the switch and sign for Blackburn in the Premier League. Again, I was looking forward to a contract extension, but due to a lack of playing time, both parties agreed on canceling all efforts altogether. Same with Leicester, really: But when Nigel Pearson returned to the club (after his time with Hull), I was told I wasn’t in the plans for the following season. And that was that! 08. Were there any other offers following the 2011/2012 season? If so, why did you decline? In December 2010, Sven-Göran Eriksson told me that I could leave by January 2011. There was particular interest from Sheffield United and Nigel’s Hull City, as well. At the end of December 2010, Crystal Palace came flying in with a concrete offer. My wife and I visited their training facilities and were pretty much all in. Then things went topsy-turvy: Greg Cunningham’s leg break meant I was back in the starting eleven and I actually did pretty well. This prompted Sven to change his mind and he told me to remain with Leicester: „If you keep on playing like that, you’ll stay for sure“. And to my utter delight, I got a contract extension for another year. Yet only five days later, Sven signed Chelsea’s Patrick van Aanholt and I no longer featured from then on. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, Hull City and Sheffield United had decided on other left-backs and weren’t interested anymore. Gone was the last opportunity to play top-level football in England. A little later, I called Grasshopper Zurich. They showed no interest at all, as did FC Zurich. I retired officially on the 1st of March, 2012. 09. What do you make of the level in the Championship and how easy or difficult was it for you personally to find back into the game after your contract with Blackburn Rovers had run out? I consider the Championship to be the strongest second tier in the entire world. In order to be successful in either the Championship or League One, you have to be fit as a fiddle. I think I began to cope with the new rhythm after about three to four months upon my arrival from Blackburn. 10. Looking back, what was/were the highlight/s in your career with Leicester City? I can name a few: Winning League One as Champions in 2008/2009, qualifying for the Championship playoffs in 2009/2010. And every single game at home, especially the match against Nottingham Forest in 2009/2010, when I managed to score and assist once in a 3-0 win. 11. What memory do you cherish most when you think of your time at Leicester? I am immensely proud that I was given the chance to play for this fantastic club for several seasons and I cherish every single second that I spent in the blue shirt. 12. During your time at Leicester, whom did you get along with the most? And why is that? I had a great time with Chris Powell. He wears his heart on his sleeve. We talked a lot about tactics and often made comparisons between the different football cultures. Matt Oakley and Steve Howard were good friends, too. And I appreciated being around Jack Hobbs, as well. 13. What do you think of Nigel Pearson and how would you define him and his coaching philosophy? He’s special, in a positive way. He’s got extraordinary leadership qualities when it comes to football. His man-management is outstanding and ought to be exemplary for many managers, trainers and coaches. He is an honest, straightforward and proud man with clear principles. He respects everyone individually on the highest level, but with an emphasis on teamwork. Nigel leads by example - he lives the things he demands from his players. Nigel’s got a really big heart and knows how to lead. He is an exceptional human being and he’s got the best years in his career still ahead of him, that I am sure of. 14. And how would you describe the fans of Leicester City? They’ve always been great, in numbers and very loyal. A Leicester City fan is obsessed with football. What’s particularly special about them is that they honor simple and honest work. Each player will find his way into their hearts, as long as he is a 100% committed to the cause and the club. 15. Do you still keep an eye out on Leicester City’s results? Are you still in touch with the management or some (former) teammates? Do you still visit the stadium from time to time or do you intend on coming by again in the near future, and might it even be as a regular spectator? Of course, I’m still connected to the club. I talk to Nigel Pearson, Craig Shakespeare, Steve Walsh and LCFC’s Sports Science expert Rob Mackenzie on a regular basis. And yes, I follow the results every single week. 16. Following the end of your active career, do you feel somewhat sad that you’re no longer playing? Was it hard to say goodbye and start a career as a football coach instead? There was an element of melancholy coming into play, no doubt about it. Yet I’ve always been looking forward to „the life after“. Looking back, I think I quit playing at the right time. 17. Others quit football completely after the end of their playing career and start an education somewhere completely else - you didn’t. Why do you stay faithful to football? I’m still a footballer with all my heart. To be a coach and to help young talent to come through the ranks and enabling them to start a career is a very rewarding process. Besides, I’m taking classes in marketing, too. I hope to become an expert in that field soon. 18. What are your goals as a coach? At the moment, you’re taking care of the FC Zurich U15 squad. Do you have any other ambitions? Actually, since the start of this season, I’m responsible for the U18 squad. I don’t want to pin myself down yet and am keeping a variety of options open. 19. With your own Premier League experience under your belt, what advice can you give the fans or the team (or even the manager) for the upcoming season? What’s so different about the top flight compared to the Championship? I’m sure I don’t need to give Nigel any more advice. He’ll keep the squad together and give everyone a chance to shine. There will be punctual reinforcements, and that’s about it. He’ll try and defend his fundament, which he built upon from the start of the previous season already, with all his might and keep it together at all costs. The players will need to be a lot more patient and disciplined. One has to try and use every opportunity provided, because there won’t be many. The current promotion euphoria will carry the team for a long time to come, they will come up with extraordinary performances and win games that, theoretically, they shouldn’t. The home record will be decisive, but with the fantastic fans in the back, it will be difficult for any opposition coming to the King Power Stadium. I’d be more cautious when it comes to the season after that.
StanSP Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Absolutely fantastic stuff. Always liked Berner as he was one of those 'wear your heart on your sleeve' kind of players and there was always an affinity with him from/toward the fans. It's a shame he had to leave in the circumstances he reveals above. But nice one on getting him to answer the questions. Quite insightful and he seems to (still) have a strong bond with Nigel and the rest of the management. Good luck in the future, Bruno. If all goes well, he might come back to a Premier League club after all .
Unabomber Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Great work MC, and what an absolute gentleman Bruno is. It would be great for him to come back for one of our games before the end of the season.
Heart-Shaped Fox Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Best left back we had since MON days i think. Loved the guy when he was here, top guy
NewburyFox Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Fantastic stuff. It also shows what it was like under Sven at the club. One moment Bruno is playing well and promised that if he keeps performing he'll keep his place, and a moment later he's been dropped for some average loan from a big club. Thank god for Nigel.
Fox92 Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 It also shows what it was like under Sven at the club. One moment Bruno is playing well and promised that if he keeps performing he'll keep his place, and a moment later he's been dropped for some average loan from a big club. Thank god for Nigel. Just about to say the same thing. Wouldn't like to be in that situation at all as a player. Great interview, MC.
AKCJ Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Number 8 makes me sad. Sounds like Sven was a right bellend, despite the public 'gentleman' image.
MattyFromLE Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 We need to get hold of some Bruno Berner masks. Image, 30k, all wearing Bruno Berner masks!
Freeman's Wharfer Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 "What’s particularly special about them is that they honor simple and honest work. Each player will find his way into their hearts, as long as he is a 100% committed to the cause and the club." Beckford, Mills, Whitbread.... it could have all been so different! What a top guy Bruno is, easily my favourite player of the Pearson years.
CosbehFox Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 If you look at Anderlecht and Wasyl, he's like that for us. Would love him to come down next season on opening day. I will always remember the way Sven messed about with him. He returned to line up and bagged against Swansea to a chorus of 'Bruno!' He loved it but that was the end.
MC Prussian Posted 8 April 2014 Author Posted 8 April 2014 Thanks for all the positive feedback, guys. I appreciate it. I only had the honour of meeting Bruno once, during the Player of the Year celebrations in 2011. I'll always remember him as a kind of role model for professional footballers, men who don't muck about things and just carry on with their job. Also, for further information and in order to add to this Q&A, there's an interview with a local Swiss newspaper online that sheds some more light on his time with Leicester, in particular what it was like playing under Sven: " Have taken a bit of everything along with me" The Glattbrugg Bruno Berner has ended his active career and is now active as a youth coach . Eleven months ago the Glattbrugg professional Bruno Berner has his boots officially hung up and has moved into coaching. The 16-time Swiss national team has managed the transition . Peter Weiss Today begins Saturday in the Super League the second half . Bruno Berner, you are just 35 years old and still well trained. Do not itch it because you sometimes still in the feet ? No. The chapter Active football is checked . Only a week before Christmas, it took me back a bit more irritated . As I flew to England to a symposium of the World Football Academy . When I returned to English football there have air inhaled, I again felt like at one time on playing . But seriously, is making a comeback will not happen. Then you have your resignation never regretted ? No second. I am alive and well and can look back on a successful career despite some setbacks. To this end, I liked my new challenges as Academy Coach of FC Zurich , currently at the base Zurich Oberland, too well. Promote young players to make them every day to better footballers , is a beautiful destination and a great job. Almost exactly two years ago, you have not taken care of as a player with Leicester City headlines when you have forced the big Manchester City to a replay in the FA Cup quarter-final with the Championship Club ( England's second highest league). Shortly after you have renewed the contract with Leicester, but then it has become quiet around you . What happened back then ? Since we must turn back the wheel a little. Since Sven Goran Eriksson took office in early October 2010 in Leicester I had played any more. He assured me that I should leave free transfer the club in the next transfer window. Crystal Palace and Sheffield United wanted to sign me . Due to a sudden fracture of my competitors , my situation has changed abruptly. Sven Goran Eriksson could , could not or would not let me pull . After intensive discussions , and because I had to hope for regular assignments again, it has come to extend the contract . I was supposed to go on like this , then I play , Eriksson said. But a week after signing the contract he has committed a new player for my position and then used these from the beginning. But did you know at that time that Eriksson has another left -backs wanted next to you. Yes, but my achievements have voted . In a turbulent season with three coach changes, I have given to the team with my years of experience stability , and we have returned to the Victory Road . That he then puts me so soon after the contract extension on the bench again , I did not understand . Such a procedure is yes For a former successful coach and English national coach and economically not very smart ... And humanly questionable, especially since you really wanted to play and immediately to other clubs could change if he had given you the release . Right. And I told him . I stormed into his office and had made ​​it clear to him that one so maybe can deal with the virtual players from the Playstation , but not with people. That was a pretty bad call - what it has then also not made ​​easier. Look, Eriksson has trained very big football stars. As there but let a genuine Swiss his emotions free rein , he looked quite perplexed in my direction. When I left his office , I had to smile himself . I knew that my personal situation , unfortunately, is part of the modern game . And in the following season , your last , you are no longer been used ... So thats it. And I went into the summer break with the intention of once again good to train properly to recommend me again for use . Perhaps this was for some people a naive attitude, but I was a professional footballer and felt obliged to give everything for Leicester City. But then Eriksson has two new players brought for my position then I knew there was not much to do . And besides, it was also really dirty! In what way? With my salary I've still burdened wage budget of the club. Therefore, the trainer of course had an interest to get rid of me. I had to train with the U18 Juniors, with the U16 ... A provocation. Course . He wanted that I do not show to the training and thus would breach of contract , so that one I could have quit. But I have kept covered , let me say anything and always done what has been asked of me . Eriksson was particularly successful in Leicester but no more. After little more than a year he had his place in the dugout for his pre-predecessor Nigel Pearson freely make the hatte. Ja you once brought to Leicester and strongly set on you , and with the coaching change , I again made ​​me a lot of hope , the connection later on. But after a week I was called Pearson to his office and made ​​it clear to me that he did not plan with me. Although this has also hurt me at first, but as an experienced player, I could handle it . Unfortunately, I had lost too much fitness and was able to not make up for my age in such a short period of time. How clear and straight forward he was showing his size. He had me so can hold out . But he is always open and honest. Here in Switzerland, knows his name is not yet , but I'm sure he will be very successful in the Premier League. For me, Nigel Pearson is the best coach , under whom I have ever played. You have worked under trainers with such illustrious names like Christian Gross , Volker Finke, Marcel Koller , Mark Hughes and Paulo Sousa ... Exactly, and from any I have been able to take something . Incidentally, by Eriksson . This may sound weird, but from him I have just copied me how I, as a coach does not want to do it . This is also very important. Do you have a role model as a coach? No, I think so as my career as a player : I had it not for the a model , I 'm emulated , but have taken me the best of several players. So I see it now . At Marcel Koller, under which I have been training for my GC time , then the enthusiasm impressed me , the enthusiasm he has sparked the team. Hans- Peter, " Bidu " Zaugg has subsequently done me very well with his quiet way . At Mark Hughes my intensive training with the great combination of technology and tactics have really liked . Nigel Pearson is absolutely exemplary in terms of people and team leadership. Paulo Sousa is an absolute champion and leaves an attractive football. It can be a great man . And Volker Finke was the smartest of all. With him I learned that football is more than just being on the field . Where supposed to lead your coaching career again? I know now not so exactly at the moment. I actually standing here at the very beginning , the FCZ - U15 in the Zurich Oberland , I train so officially only seven months. At the moment I could imagine many things: of course one day one day becoming a head coach in the Super League, but also to remain entirely in the junior training and perhaps even to become head of the Academy. Or to work in the organization or with the women. Just like women's football has developed in recent years , is really fantastic . Is back in Leicester , the decision matured , but to try it as a coach, and not to look for the end of the playing career as a task outside of football ? I then tried it easy, and it has made me at first great fun . I have therefore begun training coaches in England. There I must complete only the tests for Uefa A-diploma , in Switzerland, I must , however, even the courses visit it. I deliberately wanted to go two tracks to mitzubekommen as much of the two different configurations . Are you intentionally entered on a more profound level than junior coach? Because I think it is very important to first gain experience and not to rush things , I have chosen this step. I'm still young and have all the time in the world to work me as a coach to the top. In addition, this age is a very important for the training of young footballers. And to work with them a delightful task . So what has changed in terms of education since your junior own time ? Everything has become more professional , and the players today have many more options than before. Just know that there are junior teams for each vintage today , is progress. If you're used to come into a new age bracket , you had to compete with players who were almost two years older in the extreme. Either you did it or you had to go back to his original club . The regional base teams like " my" FCZ team in the Zurich Oberland are a good thing . If a player can not enforce right away in the first U15 team of the club , will be searched for within the same organization for a solution. He can then at us or at Red Star Zurich , the partner of the FCZ , continue playing. Especially in the Junior Age between 14 and 18 years is something very important - the boys develop physically and mentally so erratic and different time . And why are not you actually ended up as a former GC Junior, fan and champion players from 1998 and 2001 in the GC campus of Niederhaslistrasse as a youth coach , but in the FC Zurich ? It's simple: Thanks to the help of Peter Knäbel , today's sports director of the Football Association , whom I had known from my Basler time , I could contact to Ernst Graf , head of the FCZ - Academy , socialize . With him I had good discussions and could imagine from the beginning a very good collaboration . And : My father is a big fan of FCZ ever since. Of course, he has a huge pleasure that I am now working in the FCZ as a coach. http://www.zuonline.ch/artikel_122774.html (Translation courtesy of Google Translate)
Kitchandro Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Always loved Bruno, cheers for that. He was losing form and fitness in that season but I can't believe Sven thought PVA glue was the answer. What a pile of shite he was. The gist of that is that Sven was two-faced.
Dan Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Berner really has summed up why the two of them (Sven & Pearson) are the ultimate polar opposites. I have never known two managers so different.
Corky Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 He's one player I'd have loved to see get promoted to the Premier League with us, great pro who seemed to respect the club he played for. Great that he still thinks highly of us and speaks so positively about the man-management of NP.
Haydos Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Great work Prussian, very kind of him to do and it's great to see he still keeps in touch with people from the club. Shame about what happened with getting re-signed though, seems typical of Sven's time in charge.
kingfox Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 What a player he was, probably my favourite player of the last 5 years.
Sharpe's Fox Posted 8 April 2014 Posted 8 April 2014 Hope Bruno gets a reputation as a coach and makes his way back to Leicester eventually, would love to hear chants of "BRUNO BRUNO BRUNO" once again.
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