Interview

Glatzel: “I hope I don’t have to watch too many more games from the stands”

After working hard day in, day out over the past few months, Robert Glatzel is now close to returning to full training. He spoke to HSV.de about his long spell on the sidelines, his targets and positive experiences during a difficult time.

“It’s really nice to have Bobby with the group again,” said HSV coach Merlin Polzin during January’s winter training camp in Belek, referring to Robert Glatzel training near his teammates for the first time after his injury. Even if he was only able to work individually, he could at least see the rest of the Rothosen. It was a nice moment for both Glatzel and Polzin, who have a special relationship thanks to the time they’ve spent together at the club.

Glatzel had worked tirelessly on his rehabilitation for a number of weeks leading up to the training camp, after the striker had to undergo an operation for a ruptured tendon in his hip. ‘Bobby’ is now close to returning to full training. He told HSV.de what that means to him and revealed what his targets are following his first serious injury as a professional footballer.

HSV.de: ‘Bobby’, you’re continuing to make good progress together with rehabilitation coach Sebastian Capel. What’s the current plan?

Robert Glatzel: We are planning for me to start completing parts of team training in the coming days. I’ll join in next week in the best case, which will allow me to return bit by bit. I’m capable of doing almost everything again, I’d say I’m about 90% fit now. The only things I’ve not really done yet are sprinting at full speed and shooting with full power. It’s more of a mental thing still, my body is totally free of pain during all movements. It’s something you just have to work on in training to get that feeling back.

You’re somebody that’s not ever had many injuries to deal with and this has been your first lengthy spell on the sidelines. How does it feel to be almost fully fit again?

It feels amazing. I’m not really thinking about it during my training drills now, but looking back at the first few weeks, it’s obviously a huge change. Back then, what I’m doing now felt so far away. You almost feel like a cripple and rely a lot on help from other people. To be close to returning to full training and be without any pain or restrictions in my day-to-day life is a great feeling.

What difficult moments over the last few months really stand out to you?

I was on crutches for the first two or three weeks and wasn’t able to carry anything as a result. For example, if I wanted to carry a plate I had to just keep pushing it along the table. One big step was no longer having to use both crutches and being able to do things in the kitchen all by myself. The restrictions I had in my day-to-day life were the most frustrating.

What milestones have been there in a sporting sense?

I could only train my upper body in the beginning and then my muscles in my legs a little bit later on. Being able to ride a bike for the first time again was pretty cool, which is quite funny because cycling workouts were definitely not one of my favourite things in our training plan in the past. As a footballer, you just want to have a ball at your feet and to be playing football, but I was suddenly excited about these tiring workouts on bikes. It was a new experience and a big milestone, as was the first time I could do some running exercises later on.

How patient were you during the rehabilitation process and did you learn anything new about yourself?

I think I’ve managed to remain pretty patient and my general experiences in life helped me in this regard. At the same time though, I’d never had a serious injury before, so I’ve also learnt a lot during this period. I can now fully put myself in the shoes of someone who has a bad injury, something I couldn’t really do before. I obviously had sympathy for them, but in football you’re totally focused on yourself really. I was lacking a bit of empathy given how much an injured player actually goes through. My own experiences have helped me to emphasise more with injured players and I’ve learnt a lot overall.

What else did you learn?

It’s quite useful to be out of your normal routine. As a professional footballer, you just tend to be in your own bubble, focusing on each training and match. I got to see how life is when you’re outside of this bubble. It was a really interesting experience. I obviously wish this injury had never happened, but I was able to take the positives from it. One of the good things about my injury was having more time for my family and to be able to reflect and work on a few things.

To what extent has the change in perspective given you a different view of the team?

It was interesting to see what my thoughts and opinions were on the team from an outsider’s perspective. You get a different perspective on the positives and some negatives too. I was able to think a lot about how I can help the team more in the future – and I don’t just mean by scoring goals. I can definitely contribute more. I want to provide the team with more emotion and not just focus solely on my own performance on the pitch.

How do you think the team has done over the past weeks and months?

Really well. The mood is good and it’s clear that we’re a tight-knit group. That’s the main positive that stands out. Everyone is moving in the same direction and each person puts the team above themselves. Merlin Polzin, with his positivity and honesty, is leading from the front as our coach and his work over the years has earned him a lot of trust from the group.

How special was it for you when the club’s long-term assistant coach became the new head coach?

Extremely special. He’s a young coach and has taken on the role of head coach for the first time. You therefore can’t know how a team will react, but I think based on our results it’s clear to see the lads have responded positively. He has seamlessly made the switch from assistant coach to head coach. He doesn’t try to act like a boss but exudes the necessary authority through his personal demeanour.

Despite a calf injury at the start of the season, you enjoyed a fantastic start to 2024/25, scoring seven goals in your first six games. You found the net every 60 minutes on average! Davie Selke has since topped that, netting 13 times and scoring every 90 minutes on average. What are your thoughts on him as a teammate and a rival for your position?

The way Davie is leading from the front and taking on responsibility is great. His performances every week just underline that. Having a player and a guy in the dressing room like Davie is really important for us. I’m pleased for both him and the team. We’re obviously fighting against one another for a spot in the side, but we’re open and honest with each other. During my spell out injured, I’ve often given him some advice about opponents in the league that I know really well but he perhaps doesn’t. We generally look to help each other out a lot and often talk about our play as strikers. At the end of the day, we’d both like to play every possible minute, but also recognise that the team’s success is the most important thing.

Does it still hurt having to watch the team from the stands or have you been able to get used to it?

To be honest, it’s starting to hurt again (laughs). It hurt the most just after my operation. It was tough only being able to watch the boys and I thought about turning the TV off on a few occasions because I was suffering so much. I eventually got used to it, but now I’m so close to returning it’s painful again. I hope I don’t have to watch too many more games from the stands.

Have you set yourself a specific date to return by?

Yes, I’ve had that since the first day of my rehabilitation. I’m working as hard as I can to be ready for the matchday I have in mind. We’ll have to see if I make it or not – the physios and doctors also get their say. My plan is still to return to team training in February and then start playing again in March. Ultimately though, I want to make sure I’m fully fit when I return, so it’s not too important if it’s a week earlier or later than my original plan. The most important thing for me is to get back out there with my team.