Image: APA/Daniel Naupold
“I’ll be 70 this year, my coaching career is definitely over,” Stevens told Cologne’s “Express” (Friday edition). “I recently had a request from a club in the Netherlands, but I don’t risk it anymore,” said Stevens.
“I couldn’t answer that to my family and the club.” He also ruled out a job as an official. “No, I’m no longer taking on an official position,” said the 69-year-old. The reason for the step lies in the health of the Dutchman. “My body sent out a clear warning,” Stevens explained. “I was taken to the hospital because I suddenly felt pain in my chest. The doctors diagnosed pericarditis.”
“Was a clear sign”
That was “the clear yellow card for me”. “That was a clear sign that I had to take even more care of myself. I’m feeling better now, I can do light fitness training again.” He also recently got new knee joints.
Stevens was head coach in Salzburg from June 2009 to April 2011 and won the championship title with the Bulls in his first season. He achieved cult status in Gelsenkirchen.
Stevens coached FC Schalke 04 four times, including two interim periods, with whom he won the UEFA Cup in 1997 and was voted “coach of the century”. He was also in the German Bundesliga with Hertha BSC (2002/03), 1. FC Köln (2004/05), Hamburger SV (2007/08), VfB Stuttgart (2014/15) and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim ( 2015/16).
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