Bernd Stange: «Do you know where Hussein helpers now? In prison or under the daisies»

• 27.12.2007, 11:15

Bernd Stange, chief coach of Belarusian national team, in the interview to Pressball denied the information, published in the German edition Sueddeutsche Zeitung. The article wrote that Stange worked in dictatorial countries: from Iraq to Belarus.

“Unfortunately, one can’t trust all journalists. I was very upset with the information in Sueddeutsche Zeitung. I know, Pressball translated this interview, and responses of readers were controversial. So I want to declare: I’ve never told there is no U-21 national team and system of youth football in Belarus. It’s a complete nonsense. How was it possible to concoct it? I keep in touch with coaches of junior teams, and the youth national team is leading in the qualification group for the Europe Championship...

I gave many interviews – for example to newspapers Tageszeitung Berlin, FAZ, famous tabloid Bild. They all printed my words without distortion. I can bring these newspapers with me and show you! But unfortunately, not all your colleagues are honest. By the way, Sueddeutsche Zeitung later asked me to comment the drawing of the qualification. But I refused flatly to speak with them. Sometimes people may write absolutely wrong information about me. Allegedly I was a second hand of Saddam Hussein. What else? Do you know, where helpers of former Iraqi dictator are? I prison or under the daisies. I’m just a coach, and Iraqi national team was one of the stages of my career,” chief coach of Belarusian national team said.

Text of Sueddeutsche Zeitung’s article about Bernd Stange can be read on our site HERE.