Hungary men’s national team coach Bernd Storck has been named as a contender for a prestigious award in recognition of his work abroad which has strengthened German football’s reputation.
The Ambassador of German Football prize, established in 2012, is awarded annually to those Germans involved in football abroad who achieve exceptional results and through their behaviour and status as a role model post a positive image of Germany and stengthen the country’s footballing tradition. Former winners include Jürgen Klinsmann and this year three names are in the frame for the award, Bernd Storck being joined by Michael Krüger who has achieved serious success in Africa and Horst Kriete who is a FIFA instructor.
“It is a huge honour for me to be recognised as a candidate”, Mr Storck said. “Everyone knows the traditions of German football and during the course of my work I am always very conscious of the fact I am not only representing myself but also my home country. I try to pass on what I learnt in Germany and work in a manner worthy of representing my country”, said Mr Storck before his receipt of a certificate marking the achievement, the 54-year-old then adding that leading Hungary to last year’s knockout stages of the UEFA European Championship in France was a great result and the pinnacle of his coaching career so far.
“In regard to this award, the candidature itself is already important, the recognition that Germany can be proud of all three of these technical experts. The award jury examine several factors when selecting the best three candidates and the most ambassadorial personalities so that as well as the success achieved, for example, their behaviour and status as a role model also counts”, said the award’s founder Roland Bischof who spent several days in Budapest observing Bernd Storck’s work, his connection with Hungarians and the circumstances in which he carried out his tasks.
“Bernd Storck’s success with the Hungarian national team has seen him placed in the spotlight but he had already worked in several countries before this job[for example, in Kazakhstan and Greece], in those cases representing Germany in sometimes difficult circumstances. The social aim connected with this award is that we ask those coaches winning the award to offer their financial prize to a charitable cause. Bernd Storck has offered his prize for becoming a candidate to the Csányi Foundation and my visit to this institute during my trip to Hungary convinced me that this offer would serve an important and noble cause”, Bischof concluded.
Following the selection process for the Ambassador of German Football award, the winner will be announced in Berlin on 16th May.
Photo: MLSZ
Source: MLSZ – press release
