Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There can be very few people in this world who would raise an eyebrow if Otto Pfister announced that he finally wanted to take things a little easier.
Instead, as he turns 80, the highly regarded German coach remains as enthusiastic about life in general and football in particular, as he has ever been. An infectious joie de vivre that has been there for all to see during a career – as both player and coach – that now spans six glorious decades.
“Football is not, and has never been, a job for me. It’s like a hobby,” Pfister told the-AFC.com in an exclusive interview.
“So often, when you go to a different country as a coach, you encounter a different language, a different religion or a different culture. It is a permanent challenge, but one that gives me plenty of motivation, and it’s a challenge that I still like a lot.”
The latest addition to Pfister’s already glittering curriculum vitae is a role as head coach of Afghanistan, a move that came about after he was pinpointed as the ideal person to oversee the national side's bid to reach the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Despite the obvious difficulties associated with trying to coach a team from the troubled nation, Pfister insists he is enjoying his time with the Lions of Khorasan, even if their dream of rubbing shoulders with Asia’s elite in the United Arab Emirates was extinguished some time ago.
“My current job with Afghanistan is undoubtedly a special job, and one that I am more than happy with, even though there are issues such as the fact that we have to play all our games outside of Afghanistan.
“But even with that in mind, I have to say that I am okay.
“At first, I admit it was difficult because I did not see the players for as long as I would have liked before our games, but, as I get to know the squad more, things have definitely improved.”
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/otto_pfister2_jpg.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/afghanistan_v_jordan_afc-asian-cup-qual_jpg.html
