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Solingen. One of the best players, the Ruhrgebiet celebrated its 60th birthday on Monday: The native of Essen Frank Mill scored 123 goals in 387 Bundesliga matches for Rot-Weiss Essen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, the BVB and Fortuna Dusseldorf. With Dortmund he was in 1989 winner of the DFB Cup. A year earlier, Mill won the bronze medal at the Seoul Games as captain of the German Olympic team. At the 1990 World Cup, the attacker was in the team, but was not used.
Before his birthday, we visited Mill in one of his football schools in Solingen. Despite the tropical temperatures, the ex-pro is in a good mood on the ground and shows children ages six to 14 what he has learned during his long career. The big interview:
Frank Mill, are there goals to be achieved at the age of 60?
Frank Mill: I am very happy with my present life. I am always active with the traditional BVB team. It's getting harder and harder against the younger ones, but I keep following. I like it and also the ambition is there. Playing against Schalke is always a real war. Everything is eaten after the match. As long as my legs hold me, I continue. In addition, I like to work in football schools. I have been working with children for years, sometimes with disabilities, who enjoy football. It's a good thing. From time to time, I wish to have time for myself and my family. But I'm busy …
You have not received a premature birthday gift from the German National Team. What is your opinion on the debacle of the World Cup?
Mill: That really surprised me, because we have good players in our ranks who can not have forgotten how to play football. But this has already begun with unrest around the story with Özil and Gündogan. It's always bad for a team. It's like a sword of Damocles hovering over you. The DFB should have reacted differently.
In your opinion, what would have been necessary?
Mill: I would not have taken both players with me. We have a president called Steinmeier, not Erdogan. If Özil and Gündogan are photographed with this despot, then they should join him and no longer play for Germany. It is my opinion very clear. The DFB did not have a clear line
Is it also a mistake that the DFB is hooking on national coach Joachim Loew?
Mill: Yes. For me, the team did not seem fit at this World Cup and was not well prepared. The other teams were physically better. The coach is responsible for this. I would have liked a complete new start. German football owes a lot to Jogi Löw and Oliver Bierhoff. But after such a tournament, a line should have been drawn. From my point of view, it was also incomprehensible that Löw's contract before the World Cup was extended from two years until 2022. This was not necessary.
The national team was embarrbaded at the World Cup, the Bundesliga, with the exception of Bayern, in the European Cup. How much has the reputation of German football suffered?
Mill: I hope it's just a snapshot of the national team. We have always produced great players and celebrated a great success in recent tournaments. However, the Bundesliga has suffered enormously from financial excesses in international football. Outside of Bayern, no team is more competitive. We will also have the same master in the next five years. Maybe you should think of a playoff model, so the title fight is at least a little more exciting. In recent years, it was just too boring.
Recently, more and more German players have sought the way abroad. You have waived this step during your time of activity. Do you regret it?
Mill: Certainly. I had three options for moving abroad. Representatives from AC Milan came to see me in 1984 with a suitcase full of money. I would have 100,000 marks just for signing. For family reasons, I refused. I should have done it. If players go abroad to gain new experiences, I can understand that. Otherwise I do not regret anything. I was allowed to play football for 21 years as a professional. I am proud of that.
You mentioned the crazy buzz on the transfer market. His move from Mönchengladbach to Dortmund earned Borussia 1.3 million marks. What would a Frank Mill be worth today?
Mill: (laughs) Much more. If I were still active today, I would win between six and eight million euros. Because goal scorers are more needed than ever and are well paid. But I can not complain. What should Gerd Müller say? He won much less than me. I can not complain. I have lived a lot, I have seen a lot and I have also earned a lot of money.
German football could use a pretentious and dangerous striker like Frank Mill right now. Are these guys dying?
Mill: In fact, we could have used a pure attacker. Good penalty strikers are barely there. Some World Cup teams like Croatia with Mandzukic or Belgium with Lukaku have had these guys and have had a lot of success. The trend has recently come for flexible attackers who are more agile and can also come from outside. But sometimes you also need someone to clean things up. The BVB did not have such a type of player last. You should look for a man like Mandzukic. It really brings everything this team needs. Especially, commitment, attitude and Torgefahr.
Sandro Wagner criticized the DFB and Joachim Loew for that, who openly express their opinion, are not in demand. Is he right?
Mill: Yes, I think so too. Open words are not welcome. I would have had a big problem today with coaches and clubs because I had a big mouth. I have always done just for my team. And I always represented my opinion, because I did not want to lose my face, even though I was the bogeyman. This can be the Ruhr area. If anything goes in my head, I say: Sandro Wagner calls me like a guy. Also of his style of play. Football is more and more disembodied. Look at my nose, it has been broken six times in the game. Today is broken with every little thing. In the old days, I was hunted and hunted everywhere and I had to wait a long time to become yellow. My opponents had five free fouls until it was said
How do you treat children in your football schools? Do you teach values in the past?
Mill: Certainly. I am often scarecrow because at the beginning I am a little more strict and I unpack also the bad. But for that they like me after a few days. You always know that there are carrots and bads with me. I think this is the way forward
Ten years ago, on the occasion of your 50th birthday, you regretted that your ex-club Rot-Weiss Essen is playing in the 4th Division. The 60th anniversary has not changed. Do you have any hope that it looks better for the 70th birthday?
Mill: Unfortunately no. This should change the basic things. I regret RWE. It's clear. All conditions are there. The stadium, the fans. But it is above all a sporting success. It was just not there in recent years. The euphoria is missing completely. RWE lost his coach to VfR Aalen. It's sad for such a big city. It must change. I wish it to the city.
BVB did not go smoothly. Is he going up under Lucien Favre?
Mill: I'm sure he's the right man. It is a professional who exudes a lot of calm. Of course, after this weak year, he can not do much more harm than his predecessors. But I think the BVB will regain its former strength if the team is strengthened at one time or another.
Fortuna Dusseldorf is back in the Bundesliga. Do you trust Friedhelm Funkel and your ex-club for relegation?
Mill: I'm really happy with Fortuna. I mock Friedhelm Funkel. This is a good old school guy. He can do it with his team.
Borussia Mönchengladbach left you in 1986 in disarray. They have been publicly criticized by Jupp Heynckes. Has there ever been a debate?
Mill: It was really the match of the European Cup on December 11, 1985 at Real Madrid. We lost 4-0, the first game we won 5-1 and so eliminated. At that time, they tried to fool me because I forgave two occasions. Heynckes m criticized for that. I ran alone on the goalkeeper and two defenders came to me. Two murderers. I hit the goal in distress and the ball went to the outside station. It was the beginning of the end. At the end of the season, I received a ridiculous contract offer and I went to Dortmund. There, I scored 13 goals in the first round, then Gladbach came back to me and wanted me to come back. For double money. Of course, I made a sign of the hand. But it's eaten. I like the Borussia Mönchengladbach and I hope the club will play again at the international level. There is no problem with Jupp Heynckes. We talked. He is an excellent coach. Those who have been successful for so long deserve a lot of respect.
Finally, we must address you, of course, for your legendary success with BVB in Munich. Are you boring this story slowly?
Mill: Sometimes, if you keep talking about it. But I think it has something good too. The errors are human. People eventually viewed it as positive and used it as an encouraging example when similar things happened. "That's what happened to Franky," it was said. I wanted to fool my opponent then, in the end I was even the dork. I can live with that.
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