Ricken: “One of the greatest coaching achievements in BVB's history” | OneFootball

How do you feel shortly after the match?Totally relieved. We're celebrating here right now as if we've won a title, even though we've ultimately only achieved our minimum objective. But I think that you can see that we're extremely happy. Who would have thought a few weeks ago that we'd be bidding farewell to our fans like this?

Was there a moment when you started to believe that something was still possible and that Champions League qualification could still be achieved?It was the match against Barcelona. A great game. That was when the final piece fell into place for the team: It would be very cool if we could play in the Champions League again next year.

What are we experiencing in the stands right now? Relief or euphoria?If that isn't euphoria we're hearing now, then what is? We were 11th several months ago. I have been at BVB for a very long time, and all the other coaches will hopefully forgive me for saying this, but I think what Niko has achieved here is one of the greatest coaching achievements in BVB's history.

How has he managed to bring consistency into such a temperamental team? I think the team have also taken responsibility. You could see that following the release of Nuri Sahin. It cannot always only be the coach. There was a high degree of focus. Niko spoke to them in extremely strong terms at the beginning. At the moment when the self-confidence was there, he then applied pressure and made demands of them. That's why it was also so important for me to sign him. Because he possesess a wealth of experience, as a player and from his spells as a coach. And you always take something away from that. It is of course amazing that we as Borussia Dortmund are now benefiting from that.

What went through your head after the final whistle? It is my first year, it has been a rollercoaster ride. In the end, we were the hunter – but in the end, the hunter always wins. There were a lot of decisions that I had to make. We played against Mainz two years ago. That was a different story on an emotional level, of course. It was about winning the Bundesliga. But the financial difference between fourth and fifth place is of course very different compared to whether you finish first or second. In that respect, it is of course a weight off our shoulders.

What does reaching the Champions League mean in terms of planning? Can you keep hold of the likes of Guirassy on the one hand and make some new signings on the other too? The players have shown in their last matches that they want to play for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League next year. Our thanks therefore also go to the players, who are now here on the pitch and celebrating the fact that they have made this possible. We're enjoying it here and now, then we have a few days off and then it's off to the Club World Cup and after that we'll think about it.The conversation between Patrick Wasserziehr and Lars Ricken was recorded by Boris Rupert.