Win against Bayern memorable, says Frankfurt left-back Timothy Chandler

The USA defender discusses how the Bundesliga season has panned out for his team so far.

Timothy Chandler is famed for his laid-back manner, but it masks a fiery determination. The left-back has appeared in 11 matches for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, becoming one of the mainstays of the squad

The USMNT defender, who has 22 international appearances to his name, discusses the season so far, the Eagles' recent form and his role as both mentor and joker inside the Eintracht changing room.

Why are things going so well for Eintracht at the moment?

“We needed a bit of time to settle into games but now you can see we are playing better football, not just relying on our battling or our mentality.

We’re definitely playing better football and it’s improving from game to game. We’re growing in self-belief; we’re trying different tactics on the pitch and things are just going well right now.”

It has been said that you’re the Kindergarten Cop in the team. What is that about?

“Not quite the Kindergarten Cop but I’m happy to look out for the younger players. I speak to them a lot and try to make them feel comfortableand at home. I know how it is for a young player, they maybe come from another country on their own and live in Frankfurt, a big city, and everything is new for them. I’m happy to keep an eye on them and make sure they are doing ok because we’re a big group and it’s important that everyone feels comfortable.”

Do you only talk, or do you also show the younger players what they need to do?

“The most relevant thing is that they can show their quality on the pitch, and I try to make sure they are doing ok so they can give their all on the pitch.”

You have a daughter yourself, does that help?

“I’m better now than I was! I have a small daughter and she’s a bit like me, so I know how to deal with kids – at least a little bit!”

Who can you help the most?

“There are a few people, such as Evan Ndicka, who are always eager to learn new things. Even if they’ve been here a while and have played at a high level for some time.”

What makes you the comedian of the team? How does it manifest itself?

“Why am I the comedian? I can’t explain that really, I am the way I am! The guys laugh a lot about it, sometimes they think it’s funny, sometimes they think I’m a bit mad! I am just the way I am, sometimes I have to laugh at myself when I do certain things, and I need to remind myself that I’m 31 and I’m still messing around like this! But I am the way I am, I like to laugh, I’m happy to make sure there’s a good atmosphere, I like that a lot. You only live once so I think it’s a shame if you don’t laugh a lot.”

How are you making people laugh?

“Everything happens spontaneously. I never prepare anything, it just happens! That’s what makes most people laugh, I think.”

According to some, you are the top role model at Eintracht, why is that?

“Maybe because I’ve been here for so long, I was here as a youngster. I know the club very well, I know a lot of the staff here very well, so that’s why a lot of people say that. I also think that the city of Frankfurt is relaxed, the club is too. It’s like a family and that’s how I am as a person too, so it fits pretty well.”

Your mum used to coach you, how exactly did that work?

“My mum was on the side-lines, I was on the pitch, and she shouted ‘run, run, shoot, shoot!’ My mum was always my first critic. She was always the first person to say if I didn’t perform well,” said Timothy Chandler

How and where were you discovered?

“It was at an indoor tournament, a championship in Hessen, I was there with my club at the time, Sportfreunde Oberau. We made it quite far and I was then invited to a trial at Eintracht. That’s how I started on my way to Eintracht,” said Timothy Chandler

How do you celebrate Christmas with your family? Do you have any American traditions?

“Nothing really American, it’s just important for us that we see each other on St Nicholas’ Day and over Christmas. My wife’s family are in Nuremberg, we see them too. We eat together, drink together, laugh a lot, we just spend time together.”

How was your time with the American national team?

“It was an incredible time. It’s always a great experience to fly over there, also flying to countries like Costa Rica, Ecuador, Cuba. These are great experiences, great countries. You learn a lot; it was a great time. The World Cup in Brazil too, they are all unforgettable moments and really good memories.”

What’s your best moment in the Bundesliga so far?

“My best Bundesliga moment is the first time I played in a Bundesliga stadium. That was when I was at Nuremberg, I started for the first time against Stuttgart. That’s something you never forget, that’s where it all started. I’d also say my return to Frankfurt, when I spoke to the people involved and knew I was going back to my home-town club. I have this picture at home, I printed it off, when I had my contract in my hand.

Knowing I was coming home, although it wasn’t really a Bundesliga- specific memory, I wasn’t playing, it was one of the best moments of my career,” said Timothy Chandler

What’s your best moment in the Bundesliga this season?

“This season? I’d have to think! Of course, the win against Bayern is unforgettable in the context of this season. The season is still young though, there’ll be more great moments to come, I hope. So far, we can talk about the win against Bayern. When I saw everyone’s faces, everyone was dead on their feet after the game, but you never forget the happiness on their faces either.”

Your win in Munich on Matchday 7 surprised all of the experts. That’s a great achievement by the team, isn’t it?

“People close to our team can see what an incredible group of lads we’ve got here, the characters we’ve got, what kind of a squad we’ve got. We’re like a family from different countries. Like a small home where peoplecome from different countries and live here together, it’s incredible to see the atmosphere around the place. There are sometimes disputes, but you can always iron things out in the dressing room. You saw against Bayern München how everyone fights for each other, otherwise you’ve got no chance in the Allianz Arena, and we proved that we can do that on that day. We surprised a lot of people that day and ruined a lot of bets,” said Timothy Chandler

The DFP Pokal win in 2018, the win against Bayern was sensational, wasn’t it?

“Of course it’s always sensational to beat Bayern but to win the cup was incredible. Then, what happened here in the city, I’ve never experienced anything like that, it was unbelievable.”

Are you still in touch with your former teammate David Abraham?

“I had a long, intense and great time with David. We are still in touch, we write a lot, despite the time difference and everything else. He’s a great guy, not just on the pitch but he’s a great guy, a great dad to his son. I really took him into my heart, and he won’t be getting out any time soon,” said Timothy Chandler.

What’s the best moment of your personal life so far?

“My best moment was the birth of my daughter. That was a moment that nothing can beat. When you hold your own child in your arms for the first time – that was the best moment of my life so far,” said Timothy Chandler.

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