With Leeds United, Ilia Gruev is currently in the hot struggle for promotion to the Premier League. In the Sport1 interview, he tells how he experiences the time in Leeds and what distinguishes his trainer Daniel Farke.
In 2023, Ilia Gruev moved from Werder Bremen to England to Leeds United – and quickly developed into a top performer under his German coach Daniel Farke at the English second division club. The “Peacocks” (German: “Die Pfauen”) currently occupy first place in the Championship – and Gruev ranked second in the election for the footballer of the year in Bulgaria.
His father, who is also called Ilia Gruev, is also active in football: he is currently working as an assistant coach at FC Ingolstadt.
In an exclusive Sport1 interview, the 25 -year -old midfielder talks about his time in Leeds, the cooperation with Farke and a topic that is particularly important to him: politics.
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Sport1: Mr. Gruev, since summer 2023 you have been in Leeds, how do you rate your time – the change was worth it, right?
Gruev: Definitely. Both sporty and for me in personal development. It is a huge club and a great experience for me. Leeds United is very important in England and enormous importance for people in the city. For me it was really a very good step.
“Football in England is very different from in Germany”
Sport1: What specifically was good for your development?
Gruev: When I went out of Bremen, I left my comfort zone. After all, I was there for eight years and had a great time at Werder. That was a piece of home for me. Then the offer came from Leeds and I found it interesting. There is something in the club. And football in England is very different from in Germany. The Premier League is the best league in the world. I am a bit closer to the move to Leeds. We are very good at the moment and now want to finally take the step up. I live a little outside the city and also feel the meaning of the club.
Sport1: What did your father say?
Gruev: That was also a change for him. He has been working in Germany for a very long time and is still there ( assistant coach at FC Ingolstadt, d. Red. ). It wasn’t easy for him when I went away. My father used to come to the games in the past, was able to drive faster from Bielefeld to Bremen when he still worked at Arminia. Unfortunately, he can’t come that often anymore. In the beginning it wasn’t easy for me either, but then it got better. It’s great fun here.
Sport1: How important is your father for you and your career?
Gruev: It is of course a huge advantage if you have a father who knows the football business because he has been working there since he was 17. Among other things, he was head coach in Duisburg and had a great time there. In Kaiserslautern he was an assistant coach. He can always give me advice because he has already experienced everything I have experienced.
Sport1: It was a brave step to go to England. Did the dad also warn her?
Gruev: I’m talking about everything, but that was my decision and he also told me that he was behind me, no matter how I decide. He didn’t warn me at all, but was happy with my decision in the end.
Gruev is enthusiastic about trainer Farke
Sport1: Daniel Farke is her trainer. In Germany, it has not worked out for him recently because he was on leave at Borussia Mönchengladbach in his first season. He previously worked successfully at Norwich City. Does it only work in England?
Gruev: I don’t see it that way. He became tenth with Gladbach. In this difficult time it was not a bad result. He got up twice with Norwich, he has a good name here in England. The trainer trusts me and puts me up, that’s the best thing for me. I don’t need a trainer who talks a lot to me is important that I feel his trust.
Daniel Farke often relies on Ilia Gruev
Sport1: What is your relationship?
Gruev: I have a very good relationship with the trainer. Daniel Farke is a guy who wants to help a player. He knows exactly when he has to speak to a player is a quality of him. And he does not exaggerate with personal conversations. He is demanding and very ambitious. It’s going very well for me. Thanks to the trainer, I simply enjoy a different status than in Bremen. This is always something gratifying for a player.
Sport1: Did you notice at Farke that he as a coach at Leeds has blossomed again?
Gruev: He made his successful time in Norwich pretty quickly. It went great for him. Daniel Farke found his way in England and enforced his philosophy, which he has very clearly. There are no two opinions that you recognize your handwriting on the pitch. This is always a good sign.
Gruev: “I just find politics an interesting field”
Sport1: What should be exceptional for you is above all political education. You read and look a lot about politics, right?
Gruev: The interest comes from my mother. If I hadn’t become a football professional, I might have studied political science. I just find politics an interesting field. I also like to watch talk shows like Lanz, Maybrit Illner or Maischberger. On Fridays I listen to every episode of the podcast with Lanz and Precht. I also have enough time to deal with other topics away from the square. I like to use the time and deal with politics.
Sport1: Your interest in politics is rather unusual for a footballer. How did it come about that you are so curious? Politics should be a hobby of them. Other professionals crouch in front of the Playstation in the open time.
Gruev: (laughs) The mix does it. I sometimes play Playstation. That is also quite good. But you shouldn’t put all footballers in a drawer. Everyone has their interests. Many boys have interests that people have no idea. For me it is simply the areas of politics and business. Both are giant topics in society. That also affects me. We footballers live in a bubble anyway and only because we are privileged in certain things does not mean that you shouldn’t deal with these topics.
Ilia Gruev convinces for Leeds United
Sport1: What is actually a educated person for you?
Gruev: Good question. I like people who sometimes look outside the box and deal with topics that do not affect you personally. And I think it’s important that you find out, read good books and talk to friends about certain topics. Football is not everything in the world. What I find very important: You should accept opinions that you do not represent yourself. And you shouldn’t discredit anyone. I do not like it. You should always be open. Of course there are certain limits. As long as you treat each other respectfully, I think it’s okay to represent other opinions.
Sport1: Do you find it a shame that the football professional is always affected with certain clichés? Expensive car, designer bag, stylish clothes. These clichés are often met.
Gruev: Definitely. But I also want to protect my teammates. Everyone knows that we earn well, but I find it absolutely legitimate when you buy such things. Everyone can do what they want with their money. I have a different approach.
Sport1: namely which one?
Gruev: I like to invest in my body, pay attention to nutrition and regeneration. I want to get the maximum out of my body and out of myself. For me this is luxury. My body is my capital. I like to spend money to develop. Time is also luxury for me.
“I want to play in the best league in the world”
Sport1: At the end we will be sporty again. How much do you still have a look at Werder? The victory in Leverkusen was very surprising.
Gruev: When I have the time, I still like to watch the Werder games. I still have good contact with some players such as Felix ( AGU, d. Red. ), Leo ( Bittencourt, d. Red. ) Or Milos ( Velijkovic, d. Red. ) Or Amos ( Pieper, i.e. Red. ). These are friends of mine and it will stay that way.
Sport1: Werder was recently captured by coach Ole Werner in the crisis. How do you find that?
Gruev: Regardless of Werder, I always like continuity. It’s not just now because the trainers are often released too quickly. Everything has become much more fast -moved. Continuity is rewarded in the long term.
Sport1: How do you think about returning to the Bundesliga?
Gruev: Honestly? I don’t know that. The goal is now very clear to rise with Leeds. The Premier League would be an absolute dream for me. I want to play in the best league in the world. I find the Bundesliga very attractive, but now I would like to prove myself further in England.