Sergej Barbarez, the head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, gave a major interview to Transfermarkt, in which he openly spoke about his risky work, impressions after qualifying for the World Cup, emotions, pride, and his relationship with Edin Džeko and Haris Tabaković.
Transfermarkt: “What was going through your head when the last penalty taken by Esmir Bajraktarević ended in the net and when you defeated Italy in the playoffs?”
Barbarez: “Honestly, I didn’t think too much, partly because of our experience against Wales. We set the order of penalty takers and trusted our guys, but certainty never exists. We practiced penalties, but when you know you have a good goalkeeper such as Nikola Vasilj, you do not automatically think you will succeed, but you feel a bit calmer. That is how I felt against Italy. I cheered and lived through every moment, but I was not thinking about anything specifically. After that moment, without a doubt, the atmosphere and emotions were the ultimate highlight, not only for me, but for all of us.”
Transfermarkt: Did you “make it through” the celebration that followed?
Barbarez: As a highly disciplined coach, I held back (laughter). I was with my coaching staff and we shared a toast. I was very happy. We let the players celebrate in peace. Everything was relaxed.
Transfermarkt: You took Bosnia and Herzegovina to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. What does this historic result mean to you personally?
Barbarez: You know, I stopped trying to prove anything to anyone a long time ago, despite this being my first real coaching job – and immediately as a national team head coach. I am at peace with myself and I do what I know. I was always sure of myself, which is why after my playing career I obtained my coaching license and dedicated myself to it very seriously.
Transfermarkt: How do you approach your job?
Barbarez: My first thought was to continuously show myself that I still have that fire in me. I knew what I needed to do, and, of course, success followed. This happened because I have a good coaching staff. We often, as a team, think the same. At the start, we had a major shake-up. From the beginning, it was clear that this job is highly risky, because with the national team there are only ten practices and ten matches annually, which means there is not enough time for serious work during practice.
But we know what values the national team has to display. We succeeded in motivating the new guys, and with a lot of risk, we tried many different things. I think that nowhere else in the world of football is there a case like ours (laughter).
Transfermarkt: What do you mean?
Barbarez: Someone comes who has never coached a single team before. I always like to talk about my first five games, four of which were away. And as an additional blow, we played against Germany. That was truly brutal. We performed with young players, and the average age was partially under 25. It was crucial for me, the way we got through the first qualifications. That’s what it comes down to.
Transfermarkt: You have 330 professional Bundesliga appearances for Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Hansa Rostock, and Borussia Dortmund, and you played for your country 47 times. How challenging was it for you to step into the role of national team manager without any prior experience?
Barbarez: I always ask my guys if they know why I had success in my career. Because I loved that damn ball and I still do. And when you love something, the right path unfolds before you. Sometimes you simply have to make good decisions. As a head coach now, I also live those emotions. Anybody who knows me knows I am filled with emotions. I love this life and the situations the head coach job carries. This is magnificent and I cannot describe it in words.
Transfermarkt: Were there moments during the first months when you realized that the head coach job is significantly more complex than you imagined?
Barbarez: Believe me, I did not doubt it for one second. There is a nice story behind that. I watched a video of a psychologist and a mental coach. When people do what they truly love, and the results are not visible on the outside immediately, we still notice the little steps. And when, in the end, results show in such a beautiful and brutal way, it does not happen overnight.
That was nearly two years of work, and a lot can be set in motion during that time. We saw what is possible when we choose the right players. They already carry pride within themselves, but it is a good thing when before them standssomeone who leads by example. The most important thing in our communication was to show that pride. We knew from the very beginning that the guys are good football players. Therefore, there was no magic involved, but we could have changed a lot of things.
Transfermarkt: What skills from your time as a player are most valuable to your day-to-day work today?
Barbarez: That was exactly the idea behind forming my coaching staff. Seven out of 11 members are former national team players who played together at the highest level. The communication consisted of small things you can transfer to players, such as how to behave in certain situations. Our experiences as national team players contribute significantly and are crucial. Many things have changed in football, but emotions cannot change. Football will always be about giving the most for your country. But since I am talking about the national team, I do not interfere with club football.
Transfermarkt: When did you concretely realize that the national team had become a unique whole?
Barbarez: The moment you realize that the guys understand what they can do, it overwhelms you completely. That was after our match against Romania in November (3:1). I watched them and saw how happy they were. I saw they know they are good. After that, we consciously did not have a single interview in which we would claim we would defeat Austria, Wales, or Italy. I was happy and quite sure that our path is very bright.
Transfermarkt: Which values are indisputable in a team for you?
Barbarez: Pride is one thing. And I say the same thing to every new player: when you take your first steps in the hotel you are invited to, I just want to see a smile. The players should enjoy it, have energy, and be happy. It is special for an 18-year-old when for the first time he sees Edin Džeko, because he was his idol, and suddenly he shares the locker room with him. The true balance is crucial. We are a small country and we do not have a big selection of players. We must select the right ones every time all over again. Everyone must feel special as a national team player. That, unfortunately, was not always the case.
Transfermarkt: How would you, as a coach, treat Sergej Barbarez as a player?
Barbarez: I have been asked that question multiple times (laughter). I think I was always a loyal player. Nobody had almost any issues with me. Every coach knew that I would give all I got for my team, which came first. That is how I am as a coach now. I love the unique qualities of every single player. Let’s put it like this: We would have been good friends.
Transfermarkt: Bosnia and Herzegovina announced the list of 26 players for the World Cup. Why was it important for us to make that decision early?
Barbarez: The key thing is that – clarity. We consciously opted for that because we wanted to give players time to mentally prepare. As I said, we don’t have a wide selection of players. This is why no one should make wrong moves thinking there is still time to issue an invite. Everyone should know who made it to the team. I did not know I was the first coach to announce the list, I only realized that on that day.
Transfermarkt: By which criteria did you select the right players?
Barbarez: We will see if they are the right choice. The previous four matches, during which the team truly grew, taught us a lot. The players who crossed that path had an advantage. But to invite 26 players is not easy at all – it is a lot. Ermin Mahmić from Slovan Liberec is new to the team. We think he is the next big talent.
Transfermarkt: Edin Džeko, who is 40 years old, is still the team captain. How important is his role for this team – both professionally and personally?
Barbarez: Very. Nothing more can be said. It is very special for me that he is here, and that we managed to get him. The previous ten years were not easy. He further elevated the level of emotion and will. He really wants to be here. That is the most important thing. We are convinced he can still play at the top level. There is no need to talk about anything else when it comes to him.
Transfermarkt: Kerim Alajbegović, who is 18 years old, is the youngest player in your team.
Barbarez: To have an 18-year-old and a 40-year-old in the team might not usually work well, but in our case, it is a perfect fit (laughter). A few experienced players also want to work with the youth. Sead Kolašinac, Nikola Katić, and Nikola Vasilj – they are all top players playing at a high level. As an 18-year-old, you might still lack enough respect because you want to show what you can do. But that balance works very well in our team.
Transfermarkt: Does Edin Džeko come to you for advice sometimes, and do you talk about his future after the World Cup?
Barbarez: We talk a lot. It is important that he wants to talk to us (laughter). But he always listens to what I have to say. I don’t make decisions for him – he knows what he has to do. But it is a good thing he wants to hear my opinion. We are honest with each other, no matter what. This is why we have a truly good relationship.
Transfermarkt: Haris Tabaković will go to the World Cup and be part of the team despite the injury.
Barbarez: I have been close with Tabaković since the very beginning. I cannot praise him enough. As a person, a human being, and a player, he is exceptionally good. His injury did not look good, but we have already shown we can sometimes go beyond the limit.
Transfermarkt: Bosnia and Herzegovina will play against Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. What is your view on that group?
Barbarez: The World Cup is the World Cup – nobody qualified without a reason or by accident. If we look at the FIFA ranking list, we are one of the weakest teams (65th position). But we love that David against Goliath role, we have enough confidence, we want to “shake” things up, and we will try to pass the group stage. We are very happy to be there. There is no pressure.
Transfermarkt: What excites you the most about the World Cup?
Barbarez: The first match and hearing our national anthem. That is the moment I live for. Everything else will come along, and we hope we will keep winning and moving forward. But that moment will be mine. I think I will be very emotional.
Transfermarkt: Are you excited or nervous?
Barbarez: No, I am calm, calm, calm. In my first match as a head coach, I was very nervous. I have no issue admitting that. Before the first speech to the team, I asked myself countless times in front of the mirror: “Is that me – or is this a dream?”.But this changed from match to match, just like my communication. I like to be led by emotions, but now I am very calm.
Transfermarkt: Did you even expect you would get this job?
Barbarez: That was very surprising, everyone knows that. Whether I was sure of myself – that was never a question. I had already negotiated regarding the national team twice before. At one point, I said: “Alright, now everyone leave me alone.” You have to live your own life, and I was happy even without football. But that I would love to do this (be the head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina), that was always clear. However, the timing itself was surprising.
