Psychologist: 'Those who want to learn to handle pressure must face it'

Hans-Dieter Hermann, who served as the team psychologist for the German national football team for two decades, offered a glimpse into his work during World Cup tournaments. He explained that his daily activities were closely tied to the rhythm of the team's schedule, encompassing training, matches, and meal times.

"The work is guided by the rhythm of football, the game, training, and meal times," Hermann stated. He noted that player interactions often occurred spontaneously, during walks after training sessions or while traveling on team flights. Many significant conversations, he recalled, took place after evening meals.

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The work is guided by the rhythm of football, the game, training, and meal times.

Beyond informal discussions, Hermann emphasized the role of structured psychological training. "Players learned concentration techniques or exercises on how to quickly wind down after an intense match," he said. This training aimed to equip players with the mental tools necessary to handle the pressures of high-stakes competition and recover effectively.

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Players learned concentration techniques or exercises on how to quickly wind down after an intense match.