Interview with Ricardo Ribeiro, Head Coach of Ahrweiler BC's U23 Team
After their direct relegation from the Bezirksliga, a lot has changed for the U23 team of Ahrweiler BC – both sportingly and structurally. A new coaching duo, a fresh squad, and a clearly noticeable new start characterize the new season. Ricardo Ribeiro, who moved to the Ahr valley together with Tobias Roth from VfL Meckenheim, will now be responsible for the ABC's Rheinlandliga reserve team. The team is supported by a dedicated staff including team coordinator Christopher Breuer, goalkeeper coach Jasmin Ibrahimovic, and manager Linus Schön.
With ten new players and a clear game plan, Ribeiro looks back on an intensive preparation period – and an ambitious season in the Kreisliga A. Shortly before the competitive season kicks off in the regional cup against TuS Mayen II, we spoke with the head coach about new momentum, his football philosophy, and the expectations for the upcoming season.
Ricardo, you had a personnel restart in the summer. How satisfied are you with the course of the preparation – from a sporting perspective and in terms of team development?
Overall, I am very satisfied with the preparation. We were able to draw important lessons from both losses and work on them specifically. Despite the vacation period, we had high attendance at training, and the boys are open to new content and are implementing it well. This will definitely help us improve athletically.
Fortunately, we've been spared serious injuries – aside from a few minor knocks. The mood within the team and staff is very positive, and we've further strengthened our sense of community through team events off the field. The players are aware that no one is bigger than the team – that's an important foundation for our work.
If you look a few months into the future, what kind of soccer should your U23 team be playing? What can people expect from you?
Our goal is to maintain the positive atmosphere and present ourselves as a cohesive unit – tactically disciplined, coordinated, and with a joy for the game. Anyone watching us should see a committed, united team playing with a clear plan.
Ten new players, a completely new coaching staff – how do you quickly mold this into a functioning unit?
From the beginning, we have placed emphasis on getting to know all players quickly – including by name. This allowed us to deliver our messages directly and targetedly. Our staff supported us excellently in this regard.
Furthermore, we have repeatedly made it clear to the players which values are important to us. We also do things together off the pitch – that has noticeably strengthened our cohesion. I have the feeling that we are on a very good path – also thanks to the great commitment of everyone involved.
After being relegated from the Bezirksliga, you are now starting in the Kreisliga A. What are your sporting objectives – and how do you define "success"?
The focus is clearly on the development of the team and the integration of new players. This takes time – and we are giving ourselves that time. Not everything we envision can be implemented in such a short preparation period.
From the club's perspective, there is no pressure. However, our goal is to re-establish a winning mentality. We want to approach every game with the ambition to win it. As long as the development is moving in the right direction and we are not stagnating, that is a success for us. Where we end up remains to be seen.
My impression of the Kreisliga A – what challenges do you expect, and what does it take to score consistently?
The league and the entire district are new territory for me. I'll be able to get a clearer picture in the first half of the season. Until then, I'll focus on our strengths and trust my coaching team as well as the experienced players who know the league much better than I do.
When we act as a united team, remain disciplined, and pull together, that can be the key to consistent performance.
Finally, a look at the cup: On Saturday, you start the competitive season against TuS Mayen II. What do you expect from the opponent – and what kind of game can we expect?
I expect a highly motivated opponent who will do everything they can to knock us out of the cup. For us, of course, it's also important to start the season with a positive result – even if my personal focus is clearly on league play. But a success in the cup match would be a good start, which we've also set our sights on.