Fritz Interview

DW: Viktor Skripnik said that Clemens Fritz is a club legend who is actually a player-coach. How does that work?

It's an honor to hear that from him. We talk a lot and he includes and asks me a great deal, and is open to my ideas and opinions. Normally though, he asks me my opinion on the little things, but at the end of the day he makes the decisions. Nevertheless, the exchanges we have on a daily basis are special.

Claudio Pizarro is another Werder Bremen club legend. What's he like?

We have a very good relationship with one another and coordinate regularly. Things were a lot easier for me after his signing, because he happily took on responsibility. I've always said we have a problem when only two or three players can take responsibility. The load has been spread across a few shoulders now, and that helps me.

What do you make of Werder's new man from Chelsea, Papy Djilobodji?

I'm impressed. He was positive from day one and looked to be involved. I think he only managed three or four training sessions with us and then was thrown in at the deep end. And he played very well in that game against Schalke. He's a player who already has experience, who takes responsibility and is someone who organizes and takes charge on the pitch too. He's a good signing for us.

Clemens Fritz has made over 300 appearances for Werder Bremen, and 22 for Germany, last appearing in a 1-0 win against Wales in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.