Kohfeldt completed his master’s degree in the faculty in 2013 and is still associated with the University of Bremen. From the panel, he greets his former professor, Dietrich Milles. “He provided me with excellent support.” Radio Bremen weatherman Andree Pfitzner moderates the discussion in a fast and pointed manner. He also graduated from the University of Bremen.
“Go Your Own Way”
Did Florian Kohfeldt have stress during his studies? “It wasn’t so much the exams and presentations,” says the friendly coach. Actually, he wanted to study sports, but this was only possible in combination with public health. “Over time, I realized it was the more exciting part of my degree program,” he remembers. “What do I actually do with public health later?” he asked himself during his master’s studies. (Laughter in the hall.) That was the real stress in the negative sense. As is well known, Florian Kohfeldt ended up with Sport-Verein Werder Bremen. And yet he got a lot from his studies – the ability to deal with problems and to cope with unexpected situations. “When people say ‘Do it like this or like that,’ I still go my own way.”
Providing “Basic Security”
According to the coach himself, the 36-year-old has made it his goal to take time for each player, to have a personal relationship with each of them, to empathize with them. “I had very good lecturers here,” underlines the prominent guest. This is also the source of his ability to address players on a personal level and to help them relieve stress and pressure. At the request of the moderator Andree Pfitzner, the coach is ready to provide concrete examples: Marco Friedl did not have a very good day in the game against Leverkusen. “I would never stand in front of the media and publicly attack a player,” says Kohfeldt. Instead, he sends a message: “I’m with you.” The 19-year-old comes from Bayern Munich, has no established circle of friends in Bremen, and is far away from his family. The understanding coach admits all this and tells him: “You can always come to me.” That is “basic security,” the technical term from his studies.
Weighing Conflicts
“Which player stresses you the most?” a student wants to know during the discussion. “Stress shouldn’t be seen as just a negative,” Kohfeldt replies. That’s something that bothers him about the discourse. Then he admits that “Max” provides some surprising moments – “we’re growing on each other.” He’d rather that than always do things by the book. “What’s stressful for you about him?” comes the follow-up question. “Well, for example, the nutrition,” comes the prompt response. “All the players have a healthy breakfast together, and then Max comes and puts a jar of that spread on the table that the German national team has advertised for.” Laughter and murmurs of “Nutella” fill the hall. He always has to consider whether he should engage in a conflict with a player or simply look the other way.
Stress Only on Saturday Afternoon
“Real stress occurs when you think you can’t cope with demands,” Kohfeldt sums up. “I’m less stressed now than I was in college, except for on Saturday afternoons!” The fact that the Health Information Day is such a success for students and staff is due not only to the star guest, but also to the panel of experts. Senator Eva Quante-Brandt is visibly enthusiastic about what the faculty has to offer. Dr. Martin Mehrtens, Director of Finance and Administration, calls the information day “exemplary for the entire university.”
