Interview

Muheim: “I’m a fighter and never want to lose”

New signing Miro Muheim has suffered an unfortunate start to his HSV career, but the Swiss won’t let this get the better of him.

Imagine joining a new club on loan, starting your first training session and immediately straining a muscle. That’s exactly what happened to Miro Muheim, who signed on loan from FC St. Gallen on 15th June and then pulled a muscle in his thigh three days later when pre-season began in Hamburg. It’s an unfortunate start to the 23-year-old’s HSV career, however he won’t let this get the better of him, especially considering he’s experienced a lot in his short career already. Despite the injury, Miro Muheim is remaining optimistic. The man with 18 youth caps for Switzerland spoke to HSV.de during the club’s training camp in Grassau.

Miro, you strained a muscle in your first HSV training session and have only been able to work individually since. You must have imagined your start here differently.

Yeah, it was obviously frustrating. I wanted to hit the ground running and impress, but this injury put a stop to that straight away. It’s getting better, though, so I’m optimistic that I can rejoin team training again soon.

Miro Muheim is training individually in Grassau.

You have already shown that you can come back from an injury, having recovered from a torn ACL in 2018. Was that the biggest setback in your career so far?

That was the only serious injury I’ve suffered. I actually think that whole experience really helped me looking back. I learnt a lot and came back stronger mentally.

That injury came a few weeks after your return to Switzerland, after spending three and a half years in Chelsea’s academy. How did your move there aged 16 come about?

Chelsea’s scouts spotted me at an international tournament when I was still playing for FC Zürich. After that, they saw me in league action and wanted to buy me. It was a great feeling, however I wasn’t sure I wanted to go as I wanted to make it at Zürich. Ultimately, I decided to make the move as I didn’t want to miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.

During your time in London you played with Champions League winners such as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham. What did you take from that spell?

Everything there is really impressive. The infrastructure and the coaches are great. I learnt so much, even if things weren’t always easy off the pitch. I was on my own for the first time as a teenager and had to learn to become independent – I obviously missed home. This experience of being abroad will definitely help me now for my time in Hamburg.

Tell us more about it.

I lived with a guest family for the first two years with three other Chelsea players. One of those lads was Andreas Christensen, who also won the Champions League with Chelsea this summer and is in the quarterfinals of EURO 2020 with Denmark right now. After my 18th birthday, I moved into a place on my own.

Despite his injury, Miro Muheim is close with the team and in regular contact with coach Tim Walter.

Despite steadily developing, you returned to Switzerland in January 2018 to sign for FC St. Gallen.

Yes. I wanted to establish myself in professional football. I was a way off Chelsea’s first team and I also missed home.

You then spent two and a half years there, playing 66 times in all competitions. Now you’ve joined HSV on loan. What kind of player can the fans expect?

As I’ve only played as a left-back in the last two years, I’d say that’s my best position. However, I played further forward in my youth, so I could play as a left winger too. I like to get forward, have pace and a strong left foot. I’m also a fighter, who never wants to lose – even as a kid I was allergic to losing. I was even loud and unpleasant to my teammates on the pitch, but I’ve improved on that over the years.

Are you like that in your private life?

I’m more laid back and only open up when I get to know people better. My girlfriend is really important to me and she’s coming to Hamburg. We were together while I was in England, but we had to make do with a long-distance relationship back then. Away from football, I’m interested in architecture and interior design, so I can’t wait to furnish my flat. I get that from my mother, who is a painter.

Did you speak to Tim Walter about his style of play?

We spoke on the phone and it really impressed me. It’s exciting and challenges every player to develop. His tactics are really interesting and will work well if we all understand them. That’s another reason why I can’t wait to return to team training.