Michael Hefele, who once played as a professional for Unterhaching and Dynamo Dresden, is now a assistant coach in Saudi Arabia. In an interview with Sport1, he talks about the development of football in the desert state and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Michael Hefele has already got around a lot in football. From youth in Unterhaching to emotional years at Dynamo Dresden to the promotion to the Premier League with Huddersfield Town – his career as a professional was characterized by passion, mentality and unforgettable moments.
Bayer has been traveling in a completely new role for a year: As an assistant coach of Al-Riyadh SC, Hefele gains experience in professional football Saudi Arabia-a challenge that opens up culturally and sporty new perspectives.
Michael Hefele as an assistant coach at West Bromwich Albion
In an exclusive Sport1 interview, the 34 -year -old talks about his development, his stations as a player and the question of what makes football in the desert state currently so exciting.
Sport1: Mr. Hefele, you worked and lived in many countries – what does “home” mean for you today?
Michael Hefele: At home is where you feel comfortable. And I feel at home everywhere. My parents’ house is in Pfaffenhofen on the ILM – that’s my basis. I come there, my roots are there, and you should never forget them. My wife is always by my side, she was also there in England – that fits perfectly. At the moment I’m back with my parents. They are the reason why I come back to Germany from time to time.
“The move to Saudi Arabia was simply incredible”
Sport1: You weren’t in Germany for a long time. What do you miss at your home?
Hefele: Not too much, just my family. I am very open – and my wife too. I expanded my perspective to many things, and the move to Saudi Arabia was simply incredible. I personally developed enormously. I see this culture today with completely different eyes. I find it wonderful that different countries still maintain their traditions and are proud of their country. This is exactly what I miss in Germany – here you are not 100 percent proud of your own country. I still put on my leather pants when I’m with my parents. I want to show that I come from Bavaria – that’s my tradition.
Sport1: You have gone through many stations – from Unterhaching to Dynamo Dresden, Huddersfield and Nottingham. Is there a club that is particularly important to you?
Hefele: There are exactly two clubs: Dynamo Dresden and Huddersfield Town. Dynamo is my club – I feel a bit at home. The people, the club and the fans are very dear to my heart. At Dynamo I had my best time, I learned so much love there. What I was able to experience there is simply not to be put into words and makes me very proud. The second club is Huddersfield Town. With the promotion to the Premier League, I also experienced a great time there. That completely changed my life. In terms of the atmosphere, there is hardly anything better than Dynamo – it was clearly sporty Huddersfield.
“At some point my body was too broken”
Sport1: Your active career ended early through injuries – what was the hardest moment in this phase?
Hefele: Fortunately, I’m already very far away from professional Michael Hefele today. Football is its own bubble. I have left my distance and now enjoy a whole new life. In a way, I’ve died there before. It has been my dream to become a footballer since childhood, and then I was torn out of injuries relatively early. I subordinate everything to football, but at some point my body was too broken. I fought against all resistance in the red area for a very long time because I didn’t want to admit that my career ended.
Michael Hefele (right) with Sport1 reporter Reinhard Franke
Sport1: What ultimately convinced you to stay in football – instead of taking a whole new way?
Hefele: I lived football for 30 years and didn’t want to completely remove it from my life. Football will always remain part of my life. For me it is the most beautiful business in which I can work.
Sport1: How did you experience the team’s sporting development in your first season in Saudi Arabia as Assistant Manager, and what role did you take on? You had previously worked in this function at West Bromwich and half a year at Huddersfield.
Hefele: We actually never had to do the descent seriously – that was an exciting and educational experience for us. The season was our door opener on the market. Our goal was to show that we can keep up – even without stars like Ronaldo or Benzema. I am responsible for the game philosophy, opponent analyzes, training control and video analyzes. Our club structure is very slim, which means that I am involved in many areas myself – in close cooperation with our trainer, who gave me a lot of trust and freedom.
“Feel ready and I’m a bit impatient”
Sport1: What did you personally take from your first season in the coaching team – also with regard to your future career as head coach?
Hefele: It was optimal to contribute your own ideas – especially with a view to a possible future as head coach. Success proves us right: in the meantime we even played for the AFC champions League places. But we looked really good against some strong opponents. For my first year as an assistant manager, things went excellently overall. We are very satisfied for the first year in a completely different environment and are prepared for the new season with our experience.
Sport1: Are there plans to work as head coach in the medium term – or do you continue to see yourself in a tight duo like Sabri Lamouchi?
Hefele: That will show time. I am currently doing the UEFA-Pro license, and that’s the last step for me. I am very happy to work with Sabri because it is an exciting project. I also have no pressure to be the head coach soon. I then choose what suits me. It must be the right thing for my coaching career. I feel ready and I am also a little impatient.
“Exactly these people have no idea”
Sport1: How did you experience football in Saudi Arabia in terms of sport and where is the league in international comparison?
Hefele: The league in Saudi Arabia has a lot of criticism from people who have never been there before. But it is precisely these people who have no idea, still want to have a say and only move their information from the second or third hand. I find that problematic in principle – you should always take a picture on site to really understand what it looks like in the league. Only then can you have a say.
Sport1: What does the commitment of top trainers like Simone Inzaghi mean for the development of football in Saudi Arabia-and how does this change the perception in international comparison?
Hefele: The Saudi league can keep up better and better step by step – in the sense of its vision, one of the strongest leagues in the world. You can see: Football is not only played in Europe – other nations can also kick. For people who do not deal intensively with football outside of Europe, it is probably difficult to understand that Al-Hilal achieves such strong results-such as against Manchester City, which was thrown out of the tournament.
Sport1: A big surprise.
Hefele: For me this is no surprise: Al-Hilal is the largest club Asia and comparable to a club like Real Madrid. The association structure, philosophy and its implementation are excellent. Therefore, it is no coincidence that a world-class coach like Inzaghi is now on site-he will certainly raise football in Saudi Arabia to a new level.
Sport1: How was it to coach against world stars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Sadio Mané-has a “fan moment” crept in there?
Hefele: Not just one! You have to keep your feet on the floor. When Cristiano Ronaldo runs around in front of you, you just have to pull your hat. For me he is the best player in the world. What he still achieves at the age of 40 and how he makes things in – that’s crazy. There is nothing better for me. You have to take a closer look at who plays against Ronaldo. But if the match day was there, the following was: business as usual. You weren’t nervous – Ronaldo was only one number because I had enough other things in my head.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing in Saudi Arabia since 2023
Ronaldo? Have talked together nicely
Sport1: But how was the moment to meet Ronaldo?
Hefele: Ronaldo came with six bodyguards. How should you shake your hand like this? I was very happy that we had a short contact. We talked to each other nicely when we had a friendly against Al-Nassr. Of course, Ronaldo also has to protect himself a bit – everyone wants something from him. If he stops with everyone, where does he pull the limit? I’m almost sorry for Ronaldo. The hype around him was really extreme. No matter where you saw it – a crowd of people immediately formed. For comparison: Karim Benzema has no bodyguard. This difference was really impressive.
Sport1: Saudi Arabia is socially and politically a controversial country-how have you personally experienced life there?
Hefele: I have a wonderful life there. My wife and I feel absolutely at home. People are very warm and courteous. My wife can move freely anywhere – even at night. You can hardly imagine that in Europe. The aspect of security is simply gigantic. The friendliness we experience is incredible. I can only talk positively about the country. People are open and want to learn, the potential is huge.
Sport1: But how do you deal with the contradiction that on the one hand there is enormous hospitality, and on the other hand, fundamental rights are severely restricted?
Hefele: I cannot judge that – everyone has to decide for themselves. I personally can’t say anything negative, we are doing very well. If you have concerns, you shouldn’t come to Saudi Arabia to work there. In the case of existing doubts, you should carefully consider whether a stay in Saudi Arabia is the right one.
“I want to be head coach”
Sport1: Were there situations in which you consciously distance certain developments or guidelines in the country with your wife?
Hefele: Not consciously. I am very focused on football and we have a lot of fun in my free time. I didn’t notice anything in the country that would have negatively affected us. There are many restaurants and we often go out to eat. The culinary selection is large and varied. Shopping miles are also available in sufficient numbers. We also drive into the desert. It is also breathtaking in terms of landscape – infinitely wide. When we drive out and drive over the highway, even camels run across the street. Everything is different, and I find that very exciting. It’s just a completely different culture.
Sport1: What does your professional future look like – where could the next step lead?
Hefele: Of course, a career in football cannot be planned exactly, but I want to become a head coach.
Sport1: Although you have also made a master in “Sporting Directorship” – maybe you are also drawn to the functional level in the long term?
Hefele: In the long term, I can imagine switching to management. But at first I want to get as high as the head coach and as far as possible. I took the opportunity to do the master too. After my active career, I drove two tracks: I did my coaching certificates and studied at the same time. I didn’t just want to rest on my career so far. Anyone who talks only about the past has nothing to show for the future. My biggest dream is to own your own football club.
Sport1: Do you have thoughts about returning to Germany? If Dynamo would call, what would be?
Hefele: (laughs) Dann würde ich schon überlegen, auf das Kamel steigen und losreiten. Ich würde auch gerne nochmal in die Premier League wechseln – egal ob als Trainer oder als Sportdirektor. Italien würde mich auch reizen. Sollte es mal ein Angebot aus der Bundesliga geben, werde ich mir das auf jeden Fall überlegen. Dynamo ist und bleibt eine Herzensangelegenheit. Für diesen Klub würde ich schon einiges in Betracht ziehen. Mit der SGD in die Bundesliga aufzusteigen – das wäre der allergrößte Traum.
Sport1: The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia is a big topic-do you think that the country will be sporty and socially ready for it?
Hefele: Sporty you can be a good number. There is still a lot of time until then, and a lot has to develop. The infrastructure is already being worked on. This will be a World Cup of the extravagance. The Saudis want to impress – with the stadiums and the entire circus around it.
Michael Hefele, Who Once Played Professally for Unterhaching and Dynamo Dresden, is now working as an assistant coach in Saudi Arabia. In an interview with Sport1, he talks about the development of football in the desert state and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Michael Hefele Has Already Gotten Around a Lot in football. From His Youth in Unterhaching to Emotional Years at Dynamo Dresden and Promotion to the Premier League with Huddersfield Town – His Professional Career was Marked by Passion, Mentality and Deforgettable Moments.
For a year Now, The Bavarian Has Been On The Road in a Completeely New Role: As Assistant Coach of Al-Ryadh SC, Hefele is Gaining Experience in Professional Football in Saudi Arabia-A Challenge That Opens Up New Cultural And Sporting Perspectives.
Michael Hefele as Assistant Coach at West Bromwich Albion
In an exclusive Sport1 Interview, The 34-Year-Old Talks About his Development, His Time As a Player and the Question of What Makes Football in The Desert State So Exciting at the Moment.
Sport1: Mr. Hefele, you have worked and live in many country – what does “home” mean to you Today?
Michael Hefele: Home Is Where You Feel Comfortable. And i feel at home every. My Parents’ House is in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm – that’s my base. That’s where i come from, that’s where my roots are, and you should never Forget that. My wife is always by my side, she was with me in England Too – that’s a perfect fit. Right now i’m back with my parents. They are the Reason Why I come back to Germany every now and then.
“The Move to Saudi Arabia was Simply Incredible”
Sport1: You haven’t Been in Germany for a long time. What do you Miss About Your Home?
Hefele: Not Too Much, Just My Family. I’m very open – and so is my wife. I’ve Broadened my Perspective on many things, and the mov to Saudi Arabia was Simply Incredible. I have developed enormously personally. I See This Culture with Completely Different Eyes Today. I Think It’s Wonderful That Different Countries Still Maintain Their Traditions and Are Proud of their Country. That’s exactly what I Miss in Germany – here you’R not 100 percent percent of your own country. I still put on my lederhosen when I’m with my parents. I want to show that I come from Bavaria – that’s my tradition.
Sport1: You’ve Been Through many stations – From Unterhaching to Dynamo Dresden, Huddersfield and Nottingham. Is there a club that is particularly close to your heart?
Hefele: There are exactly Two Clubs: Dynamo Dresden and Huddersfield Town. Dynamo is my club – i feel a bit at home there. The People, The Club and The Fans Have Grown Extremely Close to My Heart. I had my best time at dynamo, i experience so much love there. What i was allowed to experience there is simply indescribable and make me very proud. The Second Club is Huddersfield Town. With promotion to the Premier League, i Had a Great Time there. That Completely Changed My Life. In Terms of Atmosphere, there is hardly anything Better Than Dynamo – Sport Ingly It was Clearly Huddersfield.
“At some point my body was too broken”
Sport1: Your Active Career Was Ended Early Due to Injuries – what what the hardest moment in this phase?
Hefele: Luckily, I’m Already very far Far Away from the Professional Michael Hefele Today. Football is its own bubble. I’ve Taken a step back and at now enjoying a complete new life. In A Way, I Already Died Once. It was my Dream Since Childhood to Become a Footballer, and then I was torn out relative Early by Injuries. I subordinated everything to football, but at some point my body was too good. For a very long time, i fought against all odds in the red zone because I didn’t want to Believe that my career was over.
Michael Hefele (right) with Sport1 Reporter Reinhard Franke
Sport1: What Ultimately Convinced You to Stay in Football – Instead of Taking a Completely New Path?
Hefele: I Lived Football for 30 Years and Didn’t Want to Completeely Erase it from my life. Football wants Always be a part of my life. For me, it’s the best business i can work in.
Sport1: How Did You Experience The Sporting Development of the Team in your first season in Saudi Arabia as Assistant Manager, and what role did you specifically take on? You had Previously Worked in This Role for Two Years at West Bromwich and Half A Year at Huddersfield.
Hefele: We actualy never seriously had anything to do with relegation – that what about exciting and educational experience for us. The Season was our door Opener on the Market. Our goal was to show that we can keep up – even without stars like ronaldo or benzema. I on responsible for the game philosophy, opponent analyses, training control and video analysis. Our club structure is very lean, which means that i get involved in many areas myelf – in close cooperation with our coach, who has given me a lot of trust and freedom.
“Feel ready and on a bit impatient”
Sport1: What did you personally take away from your first season in the coaching team – so with a view to your future career as head coach?
Hefele: That what ideal for bringing in your own idea – Especialy with a view to a possible future as head coach. The Success Proves Us Right: In The MeanTime, We Even Played for the AFC Champions League Places. But we looked real good against some Strong opponents. For my first year as Assistant Manager, it went excellently overall. For the first year in a complete different environment, we are very satisfied and are prepared for the new season with our experience.
Sport1: Are there plans to work as a head coach yourself in the medium term – or do you still see yourself in a close duo like with Sabri Lamouchi?
Hefele: Time wants Tell. I’m Currently Doing the Uefa Pro License, and that’s the last step for me. I Really Enjoy Continuing to Work with Sabri Because It’s Exciting Project. I’m not under press to be a head coach soon. I’ll choose What suits me. It has to be the right Thing for My Coaching Career. I feel ready and on a bit impatient.
“Exactly thesis people have no idea”
Sport1: How Did You Experience Football in Saudi Arabia from a Sporting Perspective and Where Does The League Stand in International Comparison?
Hefele: The League in Saudi Arabia Receives A Lot of Criticism from People Who have never bees. But Exactly thesis People have no idea, still want to have a say and only their information from second or third hand. I Find that fundamental problematic – you should always get a picture yourself on site in order to real and understand what it looks like in the League. ONLY TON CAN You have a say.
Sport1: What does the commitment of top coaches like Simone Inzaghi Mean for the Development of Football in Saudi Arabia – and How does this change the perception in international comparison?
Hefele: The Saudi League Can Gradually Keep Up Better and Better – In Line With Its Vision of Becoming One of the Strongest Leagues in the World. You can see: Football is not only played in Europe – Other Nations Can So Kick. For people who don’t deal intensely with Football Outside of Europe, it is probably difficult to understand that al-hilal Achieves Such Strong Results-Search as Against Manchester City, Who Were Thrown Out of the Tournament.
Sport1: A Big Surprise.
Hefele: For Me, that’s no surprise: Al-Hilal is the biggest club in Asia and Comparable to A Club like Real Madrid. The Club Structure, The Philosophy and Its Implementation are excellent. Therefore, it is no coincidence that a World-Class coach like Inzaghi is now on site-he Will Certainly Take Football in Saudi Arabia to a New Level.
Sport1: What what it like to coach against world stars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Sadio Mané – Did A “fan moment” creep in there?
Hefele: Not just one! You have to keep your Feet on the Ground. When Cristiano Ronaldo is running around in front of you, you just have to take your has off. For me, he is the best player in the world. What he still achieves at 40 and how he puts the things in – That’s crazy. There is nothing better for me. You have to take a close look at who is playing Against Ronaldo. But when the match day was there, it was business as usual. You Weren’t nervous – Ronaldo what just a Number, because I had enough other things on my mind.
Cristiano Ronaldo Has Been Playing in Saudi Arabia Since 2023
Ronaldo? Spoke Nicely with Each other
Sport1: But what what the moment like when you met ronaldo?
Hefele: Ronaldo Came with Six Bodyguards. How are you supposed to shake someone’s hand like that? I what very happy that we had letter contact. We spoke Nicely with other when we had a Friendly Game Against al-Nassr. Ronaldo So to Protect Himelf to some Extent – Everyone Wants Something from Him. If he stops with everyone, where does he draw the line? I almost feel sorry for ronaldo. The Hype Around Him was Really Extreme. No Matter Where You Saw Him – A Crowd of People Immediately formed. In Comparison: Karim Benzema Doesn’t have a bodyguard. This difference was real impressive.
Sport1: Saudi Arabia is a socialy and politically controversial country – how have you personally experience life there?
Hefele: I have a Wonderful life there. My Wife and I Feel absolutely at home. The People are very warm and accommodating. My Wife Can Move Freely Everything – Even at Night. You can hardly imagine that in Europe. The Aspect of Security is Simply Gigantic. The Friendliness We Experience is incredible. I can only speak the country. The People Are Open and Want to Learn, The Potential is Huge.
Sport1: But how do you deal with the contradiction that on the one hand there is enormous Hospitality, on the other hand basic rights are severely resteded?
Hefele: I can’t Judge That – Everyone Has To Decide for Themelves. I personally Can’t Say Anything Negative, We’re Doing very well. If you have concerns, you should not come to Saudi Arabia to work there. If there are existing Doubts, You Should Carefully Consider Whether a Stay in Saudi Arabia is the right thing.
“I want to Become a Head Coach”
SPORT1: Was there situations in which you and your wife consciously distanced Yourselves from certain development or requirements in the country?
Hefele: Not Consciously. I’m very focused on football, and we have a lot of fun in our free time. I haven’t notized anyding in the country that would have negativeely affected us. There are many restaurants and we often go out to eat. The Culinary Selection is Large and various. Shopping Miles are so Available in Suffed Numbers. So we something into the desert. The Landscape is therefore Breathtaking – Endlessly Wide. When we drive out and drive over the highway, even Camels Run Across the road. Everything is different, and i find that very exciting. It’s Simply a Completely Different Culture.
Sport1: What does your professional future look like – where the next step lead?
Hefele: of Course, A Career in Football Cannot Be Planned Exactly, But I Want To Become A Head Coach.
Sport1: Although You So have a master’s degree in “Sporting Directorship” – Are You Perhaps So Drawn to the Official Level in the Long Term?
Hefele: In the Long Term, i can definite imagine moving into management. But First I Want To Get As High and As Far As Possible as Head Coach. I took the opportunity to so do the Master’s Degree. After my Active Career, I Followed Two Tracks: I Did My Coaching Licenses and Studied at the Same Time. I Didn’t Want to Just Rest on My Previous Career. Anyone Who only Talks about the past has nothing to show for the future. My biggest dream is to one day own my own football club.
Sport1: Do you have any thoughts about return to Germany? If Dynamo Called, what would baggly these?
Hefele: (lughs) Then I would consider getting on the camel and riding off. I would also like to move to the Premier League again – whether as a coach or as a sporting director. Italy would also appeal to me. If there should ever be an offer from the Bundesliga, I will definitely consider it. Dynamo is and remains a matter of the heart. I would definitely consider a few things for this club. To be promoted to the Bundesliga with SGD – that would be the greatest dream of all.
Sport1: The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia is a Big Topic – Do You Think The Country Will Be Ready for It From A Sporting and Social Point of View?
Hefele: Sport Ingly They Can Be a Good Number. There is still a lot of time Until then, and some things still need to development. Work is Already Being Done on the infrastructure. IT will be a world cup of extravagance. The Saudis Want to Impress There – with the Stadiums and the Whole Circus Around it.