Former Bayern youth training teenager: Walter Mad has always had potential, he likes to break the rules

Former Bayern youth training young player Franzker was interviewed by German media Spox recently and talked about topics such as career and former teammate Walter Mad.

Krezger played seven times for Bayern's first team in the 23/24 season, and later joined Vienna, Stuttgart, Heidenheim and other teams in Austria on loan. In June this year, he transferred to Red Bull Salzburg for a worth of 3.5 million euros.

After the transfer, you immediately participated in the Club World Cup with Red Bull Salzburg. How do you feel about participating in the Club World Cup in the United States?

Kretzger: It was a very positive experience for our club and for me personally. We grew up together, and I quickly became familiar with this team, and it was also an experience beyond football. Our base camp is located near New York, and I thought the city was huge and crowded before, but I found it unexpectedly cool. I especially like the urban lifestyle far away from famous attractions such as Times Square. Of course, football is the focus of our attention.

Do you also have the opportunity to participate in this event with Bayern?

Kretzger: Yes, we briefly discussed the possibility of my representing Bayern in the Club World Cup. I haven't discussed it with Kompani, but with other people in management. Eventually, I made a wise decision to transfer to Salzburg early. Because I want to use this Club World Cup to adapt to the situation here.

Just two years ago, you also participated in the summer preseason with Bayern. At that time, head coach Tuchel took you to Asia for preseason training. Do you have any memories?

Kretzger: That feeling is very similar to that in the United States, but the competition was not that fierce at that time. For me, that was the first step in my professional football career. For the first time, I have witnessed how Bayern works and how it feels to be a professional player. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is my goal against Liverpool. That means a lot to me.

Did you believe you could achieve a brilliant career at Bayern?

Kretzger: I'm very practical, so I know that a goal is not enough. But then I looked at it as a starting point and believed I would eventually go into professional football – maybe not at Bayern, but definitely somewhere.

Krezger

In the first half of your career, you were loaned three times, each time for six months. How do you feel after so many relocations?

Kretzger: Moving is always good because you will gain different experiences and adventures. But living for only six months at a time is not easy, and it is really a challenge. I feel comfortable anywhere, but I have never really found the feeling of home. Now I'm permanently moving to Salzburg because I finally want to find a home again. After signing a contract for several years, it feels very different. I came here to settle down, and I already felt that I had finally achieved my original goal, and this feeling made me very happy.

During the six months in Stuttgart, you seem to have established a real friendship with Walter Mad. What do you have in common?

Krezger: We hit it off. We both have very compatible personalities. We get along well and have similar interests. It's always fun to be with him, both on and off the court.

Walter Mad

Walter Mad was not the main player when you worked in Stuttgart in the first half of last season, but now he is rumored to have transfers with Bayern. Are you surprised by his progress?

Krezger: On the football field, everything comes quickly, no matter how good or bad things are. I was not surprised by his progress, and I saw Nick's football potential at that time. Now he has also accumulated the necessary confidence.

Both you and Walter Mad are passionate about fashion. What role does this hobby play in your life?

Kretzger: Football is an important part of my life, but not all. I also need other hobbies that interest me and distract me. That's when I discovered fashion. I love it so much and I often talk to Nick about fashion.

How do you evaluate his style?

Krezger: The style is good, a bit special. I like that somebody breaks the rules – and that's what he does.

How are you feeling about the new club so far?

Kretzger: Compared to the clubs I have played for before, I find the infrastructure of the club venues and stadiums very professional. I also realized its similarity with Bayern. I was impressed by it before, and now I am even more icing on the cake when I observe it up close.

What are your goals in the new season?

Kretzger said: Personally, getting a stable playing time is the most important thing. At the same time, I hope to help the team not only as a player, but also as a team leader. After two difficult seasons, we should remain humble and not set too high expectations. But it also sounds strange if I say 'Our goal is to get runner-up '. At the end of the day, I long to hold that trophy high at the end of the season.

What do you need to do to call your time in Salzburg a successful one by 2029?

Kretzger: First of all, it depends on my growth at the football level, but more importantly, my growth as a personal one. I need to find a sense of belonging here, meet sincere partners, and go to the training ground with expectations every day. You know, in this business-filled football world, these are not taken for granted.

Finally, let me tell you a little story: Your old teammate Luca Denk told us in an interview with SPOX that you triggered the fire brigade's call when you cook pasta with Toben Rhine at the training base in Bayern Munich. What happened?

Kretzger: First of all, this is not a mistake when cooking pasta! (Laughs) At that time, we were both kitchen novices and thought we could use the microwave to get garlic bread. The result is...the effect is quite touching. Although the fire did not occur, the smoke rolled in direct contact with the fire alarm, causing the fire truck to rush into the training base. Fortunately it was night, no one was present except for our stay players. We first comforted our frightened teammates, and then we had to explain the farce to the firefighters. The final punishment was: banning the microwave for two weeks! But this kind of embarrassing thing makes people remember the most - now I will never roast garlic bread in the microwave if I beat you to death.