Ian Marko Fog har lært fra 25 trænere
Eva der dækker tysk håndbold så glimrende for europamester har gennem en kontakt hos handball-world.com fået lov til at bringe følgende spændende interview med Nordsjælland træner Ian Marko Fog:
Ian Marko Fog as coach: "The trust of the players is important to me"
In the international handball scene the Dane Ian Marko Fog is well known: The former Danish International played both in Bundesliga and Liga Asobal. By now ex-line player has found his new position on the sideline - as coach for Danish first league team Nordsjælland Håndbold. In the interview Fog talks about the end result of last season, his goals for the new season, the Danish league and announces: "My aim is, to use my vast experience in sport by passing it on to young talent."
Ian Marko, many international fans remember you as a line player, now you changed sides to become coach....
Ian Marko Fog:
Yes, that is true. I started off as coach with first division team OV Helsingborg in Sweden, we were second in the league in 2012/13. In 2013 I took over as coach to Nordsjælland Håndbold. After their relegation the plan was rebuild the team. Following the insolvency of Viborg HK, we got a place in the best league after all. With 14 new players and a small budget of 300.000€ very surprisingly we managed to reach 11th place. During the season we beat Danish Champions Aalborg, but were unlucky in the relegation matches, where we lost our top player Mitrovic and unfortunately were relegated. Since 2014 I also have the A coaching licence.
What is your goal for this season? Are you aiming to play for promotion?
Ian Marko Fog:
Our aim is definitely to stay in the upper third of the table. We have to integrate eight new players, that seemed to work out well during the preparation. It is possible though, that we will get active on the transfer market again. If the option is there to recruit one or two more guys to improve our team in some positions, maybe promotion could be a goal for this season.
You are still preparing for the new season. What is your impression of the team after the holidays?
Ian Marko Fog:
Yes, the weather outside is almost 30 degrees and we go into the arena to train. The guys seem to be in good shape and are really working well in preparation. During the holidays they had an individual training plan to work to, to keep themselves fit.
Although you are playing in 1. division this season, who is favourite for the Championship in your view?
Ian Marko Fog:
Kolding Kopenhagen is definitely the favourite for the championship, even more to once Kim Andersson is fit again, it will be tough for the other teams then.
As a line player you were active in Nordhorn, Hameln and Gummersbach, but also won the European Cup with Ciudad Real. You ended your career in Denmark. Which of your experiences will you be passing on to your team, now that you´re in the role of coach?
Ian Marko Fog:
During my active career I played in four countries and under 25 coaches over the years- My aim is, to use my extensive experience in sport to pass it on to the younger generation. Our club wants to develop young talent, and beside tough training with intensity and discipline, also teach them the joy of handball.
Apart from your career as coach, you also work as a players agent. Is it an advantage for you in this field, that you also played abroad?
Ian Marko Fog:
It is a huge advantage, because you know many clubs and a lot of players. Many of my former teammates have turned coach or manager now, so there is an extensive network there. The trust of the player, that I advise, is very important to me, I want the player to fit into his team and feel comfortable there.
In Germany some clubs offer boarding schools for young talents. Are there similar projects in Denmark?
Ian Marko Fog:
Here in Denmark the development of young talent is very advanced. There are handball courses in schools from year seven onwards, that offer intensive training on two to three days per week. The junior girls and boys have won quite a few titles in the past ten years (U20 juniors 4x times European Champions, U19 girls 3x European Champions). And after the European Championships last winter handball continues to be very popular and the Danish handball association does a lot for the youngsters.
How do you live in Denmark?
Ian Marko Fog:
Very well! I have my family with me, my daughters go to school here. It takes less than 30 minutes to get to Kopenhagen with the car. After many years abroad it is lovely to be back home. But I still travel a lot, also because of my job as an agent. Maybe one day I will work abroad as a coach. I always like to travel and see the world.