For Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, there is one constant theme in all the work he has done since taking over one of the biggest and best-supported clubs in Germany: Innovation. Whether it is his work with ‘open-minded’ players like star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, learning from Bayern Munich Pep Guardiola, or embracing new concepts for a FIFA World Cup, the German coach continues to push the boundaries in his first season in charge.
“It will be a completely new feeling for a World Cup to have so many stadiums in such a small space in Qatar, so I think it will be a big advantage for the spectators,” the Dortmund coach told SC.qa at the recently-concluded Aspire4Sport conference in Berlin.
“I’m not so sure about whether the teams will like to be so close to each other,” the former Mainz coach joked, before adding: “But I don’t worry about the organisation, they will do an excellent job I’m sure.”  
“Maybe for spectators (in Germany) the winter World Cup is not such a bad thing, because you don’t have to sit in the cold stadiums in winter. I am also sure that Qatar will organise the tournament well and that through this extraordinary concept (at Aspire) they will have a competitive team which may not win the title, but will be capable of causing some surprises at the World Cup,” he said.  
Tuchel added: “There are still seven years to go and I think those responsible in Qatar know quite exactly which players from the youth teams will be playing in 2022. Such a focus on the national team can be an advantage.”
This week, as the sporting world converged in Berlin, the home of the current World Champions in football, Tuchel highlighted the power of learning just a day after losing 5-1 against current Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.   
“To learn from the best and to be open to outside influences is something which I stand for and which gives me great pleasure. I learned a lot and almost everything new when I watched Barcelona for four years, and now Guardiola is in our league and it is a huge job to step up and not let them go, and keep up the pace.”  
And the Dortmund manager added that despite having a lower budget, he has the players to make that challenge, such as his brilliant striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“He is a very extroverted player and I liked his mentality and his focus on performance. He is very open-minded and he has no fear to step out on the stage and perform. That’s what I like about him. I am very happy that he trusts us to develop his performance even further. The fact that he chose to stay shows it is not all about the money in the game,” he concluded.    (SC.qa)