Bremen Boss Out To Get Revenge On Walter

Mar 2 2008 By Gavin Berry In Bremen

Rangers V Werder Bremen Thursday, Kick-Off 8pm Uefa Cup Last 16, 1st Leg

WERDER BREMEN boss Thomas Schaaf insists Walter Smith rode his luck to come out smiling the last time they were on opposite sides in a European tie.

And he has warned the Rangers gaffer he wants to have the last laugh this time around in the UEFA Cup.

Schaaf has served Werder for an incredible 36 years as player and coach.

During his playing days he took on a Dundee United side managed by the legendary Jim McLean who had Smith as his No.2 And that 1982 UEFA Cup tie brings back painful memories for Schaaf with the Bundesliga boys going down 3-2 on aggregate to the Tannadice outfit.

Ralph Milne and David Narey scored to give United a 2-1 first-leg win on Tayside while Paul Hegarty netted in the 1-1 return draw.

Schaaf set up Rudi Voller for the leveller in Bremen and insists Werder were robbed in that second leg.

He fared better on his return to Scotland in 1988 when he helped dump Celtic out of the European Cup. But now he wants to complete the Old Firm double and get revenge on Smith in Thursday's last-16, first-leg clash at Ibrox.

The Bremen boss said: "We had a memorable game against Dundee United.

"Walter Smith was smiling on that occasion but hopefully it will be my turn on Thursday. Maybe he used up all his luck against me.

"That second leg against United was unbelievable as we missed so many chances.

I'm sure Walter would tell you that himself.

"We had a young striker called Michael Bohnke who could have scored SIX that night.

"United scored after three minutes in Germany and normally the game would be over at 3-1 up on aggregate.

"But I came on in the second half - that changed everything! I was young and didn't start every game but I came on and crossed for Rudi Voller to equalise.

"After that we hit the post and tried everything. It was unbelievable. We missed from a couple of yards, hitting it over the bar.

"But after the match we were still applauded off. Although we went out we took great credit for our performance.

"Thankfully, I have better memories of another visit to Scotland when we beat Celtic 1-0 in the European Cup. Thomas Wolter who is now our reserve coach scored.

"I always remember our manager Otto Rehhagel sat in the stand because he was banned from the dugout.

"But I liked Parkhead because of the atmosphere and Ibrox will be the same."

Schaaf has great respect for Smith and claims Rangers' 3-0 thumping of Lyon this season made him sit up and take notice of the Ibrox side.

Especially after finding himself on the end of a 7-2 thrashing at the Stade Gerland just three years ago.

Schaaf didn't expect to meet Gers in the UEFA Cup because he was sure Smith's men would still be in the Champions League after that stunning result in France.

Even though Rangers couldn't finish the job against Lyon at Ibrox the Bremen gaffer still admires the work Walter has done.

Schaaf said: "If someone works as a manager for such a long time and at different teams then they must be good. Walter comes into that category.

"I met him at a Champions League coaches meeting and we sat together at the airport and drank coffee. He's a friendly guy, down to earth and has great experience.

"It's great when you've been as successful as him.

"It was fantastic for Rangers to score three goals in Lyon because we lost 7-2 in France after a 3-0 home defeat in 2005.

"It was a surprise to me that Rangers didn't progress in the Champions League because they performed well.

"Their style of play is what people want to see - a lot of power. Walter has created a successful system for Europe.

"I don't think Rangers play defensively. They might play with one striker but they have a lot of players going forward.

"Barry Ferguson, Steve Davis and other midfield players can get up to support the lone striker."

Parallels can be drawn between Schaaf and Smith.

Neither was a spectacular player but both now enjoy legendary status at the club that's closest to their heart.

The one difference is that the Bremen boss has been at the Weser Stadium all his life while Smith is in his second stint at Ibrox after spells with Everton and Scotland.

Schaaf's story is an incredible one. He started as a youth player at Werder before progressing to the professional ranks where he played 262 Bundesliga games.

Then after taking charge of the youth team and reserves he was thrown in at the deep end in 1999.

The club had been flirting with relegation but Schaaf rescued them and led the team to the German Cup in his first season.

The double followed in 2004 and the club landed another domestic cup in 2006.

Schaaf said: "Every manager has to do it his own way. I don't say being a one-club man is the best way. That's just how I've done it.

"I had a great playing career because at that time we had a wonderfully successful team.

"It wasn't normal to change clubs every two or three years in my day. Now it's different because you have more chances to move.

"I played in a good team and that was important. We were German league and cup winners and European Cup Winners' Cup champions. I didn't feel the need to go elsewhere.

"When I finished my playing career I took over as coach of the youth team. That was where I tested my coaching skills and tried to introduce new concepts.

"I trained the reserve team after that and normally to get my break in management I would have needed to have changed clubs.

"But we were going through a bad period and I got my chance.

"You are influenced by all the coaches and managers you work under throughout your career.

"I worked with Otto Rehhagel for 14 years but you can't be a copy - I had to be my own man.

"I took little things from him but you learn every day.

"I created a lot of things by myself just from what I had seen and what I dreamed of doing.

"I've been at Werder Bremen 36 years and if you had seen the club when I started compared to now you wouldn't believe it.

"But you can fulfil dreams and I always strive to do that."