'I think it will be a hard-fought game'

Mr  Reschke, you left Bayern Munich in August to be sporting director at VfB Stuttgarrt. Before joining Bayern Munich you spent 35 years at Bayer 04 in various roles. How much are you looking forward to meeting up again with old friends and colleagues on Friday night? 
Michael Reschke: Of course, I'm looking forward to it. But regardless of all the friendships that still form a connection for me to Bayer 04, VfB Stuttgart now takes centre stage. And I must say, the impressive form of Bayer 04 has rather overshadowed my anticipation of meeting old friends. I would have preferred it if we could have welcomed Leverkusen later on in the season – and not at a time when they have gone ten games without defeat.

What's your assessment of Heiko Herrlich's work from afar?
Reschke: I don't like making comparisons but I think Bayer 04 are on the right track this season. I know Heiko from his playing days when I was the U19 coach. He was a special lad back then, incredibly talented, incredibly keen to learn and with his own, special personality. He succeeded in providing the Leverkusen team with an identity in that season. The way the team is playing football at the moment and is functioning well is clearly a result of the work of the coach and his staff. Such a development is not a given but rather the result of certain agreed and functioning working procedures.

Before we move on to the encounter on Friday night, what role does Bayer 04 still play in your life?
Reschke: Have you ever been as a club for 35 years? I've been away from Bayer 04 for three years but there are still very many people working there who I spent an immense amount of time with – and those who I took on. It's impossible to count all the hours spent with Rudi Völler and Jonas Boldt. Never mind those at the Kurtekotten Academy. I can't even list all the people and close contacts and friendships I made. That all means that Bayer 04 will always be a big part of my life.

You were born in Frechen and are a child of the Rhineland. Your family still living in Leichlingen. How often do you come up here? 
Reschke: It varies but my wife and I do all we can. As in Munich, I have a time-consuming job in Stuttgart where I'm away a lot. That's part and parcel of the job. But Leichlingen, with my family and friends, just feels like home to me.

Let's move on to VfB Stuttgart. How well have you settled in over these first four months?
Reschke: I'm really happy at VfB Stuttgart. Even I find it a bit of a surprise that I've gained such a degree of identification in such a short space of time with the club, the staff, the players and the coaches. I want to do a good job here and help shape a positive development.

Talking about development. How do you assess the progress of VfB Stuttgart after promotion?
Reschke: Our team is in a very interesting and great process which is obviously due in large part to the conscientious work and preparing for matches done by the coaching staff led by Hannes Wolf. And at home games we can rely on incredible support from our crowd.

You mentioned VfB are a power to be reckoned with on their own ground with 16 out of a possible 18 points picked up so far t5his season. What should the Werkself expect tomorrow?
Reschke: I think it's admirable that Bayer 04 are unbeaten in ten games. That's an achievement that speaks for itself. But in our opinion, this run obviously doesn't have to be extended. In spite of the run Bayer 04 are on at the moment we are not afraid. Our coaching team and our players will do all they can to make sure Stuttgart pick up the three points. I'm expecting a hard-fought game. And: I can promise all Leverkusen fans who travel that they will have a very special experience in Stuttgart tomorrow. Thanks to our fans, the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Arena is extraordinary.

interviewer: Jens Kopke