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The character head from the advert: an interview with trainer Ralf Todzi

21.6.2018

Translation: machine translated

Since the Galaxus campaign, the amateur footballers of FC Dübendorf 3 have been in the spotlight, causing a stir not only as advertising stars but also on the pitch. Always in the thick of it: coach Ralf Todzi. I met him for an interview.

Clear gaze, firm handshake, footballer with every fibre. You realise from the very first second that this man is dedicated to the sport. Ralf Todzi has been the coach of FC Dübendorf's third team since this season and can be seen on posters and in adverts in the current Galaxus campaign. Even on screen, you can tell that this is not a guy who does things by halves. The ex-professional is someone who just can't let it go. He belongs on the pitch, and that's where I met him.

Ralf, how did you become coach of the third team in Dübendorf?

"I had a good relationship with the president and said as a joke: Have you got a free place? Then I took over the third team out of stupidity. Or rather: out of fun and joy. But to be honest - I didn't know what I was getting myself into."

First there was one defeat after another. What is your idea of football, what do you want to see from your team?

"Passion and victories! I'm a coach who can't lose well. You can imagine what I experienced with the boys before the winter break. We only lost. But they were all chain reactions because we weren't a team. It had to find itself first."

A lot has happened around the team recently. Not only have you become advertising stars on TV and on posters, but you also managed to stay in the league in a great end-of-season spurt.

"The campaign with Galaxus was a huge incentive for everyone at the end, it was great for every player. And the people who see themselves on a poster or on TV are naturally all happy."

You've picked up 13 out of 16 points in the last five games

"With four wins and a draw, we've secured our place in the league. We had a lot of injured players at the start. I realised that we would never be relegated if everyone was back. And that's how it was."

Everyone in the FC Dübendorf 3 team can feel the satisfaction. No wonder. After all, when you're thrust into the limelight overnight, you don't want to be labelled as "terrible footballers", as a TV article put it. Amateurs? Sure, fourth division. Loser team? No. That's not a label that does justice to the team and coach, and their sporting ambition was rewarded with results just in time.

Clear announcements: Ralf Todzi wants to take the team forward.

The advert gives the impression that you're tough but warm. Does that characterise you correctly?"I'm very honest and straightforward, but success-orientated. I'm occasionally tough, as a coach you have to be a bit louder about certain things. That's logical. But I think I'm very good-natured. I just have my passion - and that's football." No one denies his passion. I ask the players what kind of person their coach is. Full of the will to win. A determined person. 110 per cent commitment. A motivator who sometimes gets loud and speaks his mind. That's what you hear from everyone involved. You can take their word for it, and the coach's words have made a difference. Because it is his duty to get everyone on board.> "If a player doesn't have the right attitude and then walks around on Sunday as if he's just come from the bar - that can't be right."[[image:14741650 "Fully committed, fully focused: Ralf Todzi sets an example for his players."]]

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Michael Restin

Senior Editor

Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.ch

Simple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.

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