This Youtubeur became the coach of a professional football team for a match – Ouest-France evening edition

24-year-old Max Bergmann took over as head coach of German professional football club Hallesche FC on Tuesday night. A meteoric rise for this football fan, who was spotted making tactical videos on YouTube.

On Tuesday evening, the German football club Hallesche FC played a crucial match against Osnabrück in the fight to stay in the third division, the last professional level across the Rhine. Trailing 3-1, the Red and Whites managed to snatch a saving draw in the final minutes of the game. On the bench, Max Bergmann was able to savor the moment. At 24, he held the position of head coach for the first time in his career while the usual technician was suspended.

What a performance! What a team! ⚽️💯💪🏼 https://t.co/P22Fkiy7V4

— Max Bergmann (@MaxBergmnn) April 19, 2022

An incredible destiny for this Youtuber, football fan, who was still making his tactical videos as a simple informed supporter a little over two years ago. It is in any case in this way that Bergmann is spotted by the leaders of Hallesche FC. He thus became a video analyst for the club’s training center in eastern Germany. For two years, he held an intermediate position between the scouts, responsible for detection, and the trainers.

From the academy to the first team

A first conclusive experience which earned him a promotion with the first team, playing in the German third division. Video analyst… then little by little influential assistant to the main trainer, André Meyer. And therefore acting head coach, this Tuesday.

An evening and even a day full of emotions for him, which he commented on to the media after the game. “I slept very well last night. But the day dragged on a bit today. I couldn’t calm down this afternoon, the tension was already there. […] I had a lot of fun, it was a rollercoaster in terms of emotions. The first half of the game didn’t go exactly as we had hoped, we conceded two goals on three shots. But in the second half we were able to show our best football and in the end we almost won the match. In any case, I almost feel it as a victory. »

Regarding his relationship with the players, most of whom are older than him, Bergmann said: “I try to achieve an exchange on an equal footing. It’s not necessarily hierarchical. I try to pass on to the players what I have observed. But I am also listening to their point of view, to what they have seen on the ground. »

A first on the bench that calls for others

A successful first that calls for others. Not immediately since André Meyer, who has served his suspension, will resume his place. But this evening has undoubtedly given ideas to Max Bergmann, already nicknamed the new Julian Nagelsmann – in reference to the current coach of Bayern Munich. And if he will quickly resume his post as video analyst and assistant coach, it seems likely that we will see him again in the next few years on the sidelines.

In Germany, Ole Werner holds the record for being the head coach of a professional team. The current Werder Bremen technician started on the bench at Holstein Kiel when he was 28 years old.