'Those years are amongst the best in my career'

Robert Kovac, are there times when you don't agree with your brother? Kovac: "Of course, there are times when we don't agree. But we talk about it and always end up agreeing."“

When you played together at Leverkusen you often shared a room for away matches. How do you remember your time at Bayer 04?    Kovac: "Those years at Bayer 04 are amongst the best in my career as a footballer. Not just because I played alongside my brother for three years but also because there was a huge and positive change in mood after almost being relegated."

Tin Jedvaj made his international debut under you as national coach. How do you assess his potential and development?
Kovac: "The potential is definitely there and he's very talented but he still has to keep on working and developing his game. Personally, I see him more as a central defender than as a full-back."„

Since March you've been together at Eintracht Frankfurt who were involved in a relegation battle last season. Your first task as a coach in the Bundesliga could easily have been more straightforward, couldn't it?
Kovac: "Of course, we would have preferred the season to have run more smoothly. But it was a very big challenge that we mastered together."

What have you learned from the difficult and the successful times?
Kovac: "That we managed to stay up despite the enormous pressure – and that with the support of our fans, everyone around us and the whole region."

How do you rate Eintracht's chances this season?
Kovac: "I think our chances of securing top-flight status early on are better this season."

15 years have gone by – Will the match in Leverkusen still be special for you?
Kovac: "They’re always special games because I still know people from here and I'm always happy to catch up with them again."

What do Eintracht need to do to win?
Kovac: "Very good luck, a united team performance and the support of our fans."