Lifelong Borussia Dortmund fan Edin Terzic ready to make his mark as head coach

Edin Terzic has been a Borussia Dortmund fan all his life. Now he wants to re-adjust the team’s mindset after replacing Lucien Favre as head coach.

Edin Terzic was named Borussia Dortmund head coach until the end of the season after the club decided to part ways with Lucien Favre on Sunday. The 38 year old faced the media for the first time as head coach during the pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s game against Werder Bremen.

Terzic came across as confident, enthusiastic and positive. He spoke about wanting to get a reaction from the team after the 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart, and said that they must play with more courage in the upcoming matches.

"“First of all, we have to go all out tomorrow in Bremen and also try to be as successful as possible in the three remaining games before Christmas. The quality in the team is there, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to fight for success.”“We need to have the courage to get ourselves to show (our quality) on the pitch. We have to fight back, even in uncomfortable situations. And we all have to have the responsibility to constantly remind each other of that as well.”“As a coach, you have to play certain roles, and that includes emotionality. I spoke to the team yesterday, and it’s important to me that the team expresses things that need to be worked on so we can improve.”“There are two ways to win. You can concede fewer goals or you can try and score one more than your opponent. I’m more for the latter.”"

Terzic also said that he grew up as a Borussia Dortmund fan, but added that he never even dared to dream of becoming the club’s head coach.

"“I was born and grew up 30 kilometers from here, as a fan of this club. Still, I never even dared to dream that one day I would be allowed to work here or that I could be here in such a capacity. There is something very special about getting up in the morning and being able to think about black and yellow football.”"

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc was also at the press conference, and said that he, along with Hans-Joachim Watzke and Sebastian Kehl, felt that the team needed a new approach after two and a half years under Lucien Favre. Zorc said that Terzic brings with him the necessary levels of emotion that the Black and Yellows need.

"“We believe that the team needs new input and a new approach so that the turnaround can be accomplished. This change was brought on by purely sporting reasons. Lucien has done a very good job for two years, which is why the decision was not an easy one for us.”“We have known Edin for a long time as someone who has a great feeling for working with our guys. He also brings a very necessary emotion to the game that Borussia Dortmund always needs.”"

Zorc refused to get drawn into questions about who would be the head coach next season, and said that the main focus at the moment is to get the team back on track.

"“The contract will initially run until the summer of 2021. It’s a long way, with at least 26 competitive games to go. But the main focus right now is to get the team back on track. After that we will discuss everything.”"

Borussia Dortmund will be aiming to return to winning ways as they go up against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Tuesday.