Richter: “Everything happened really quickly”

At the end of last season – Hertha BSC were relegated having finished bottom of the table – Marco Richter informed the club from the capital that he aspired to continue playing top-flight football. The former Germany U21 international didn’t stop working hard during pre-season and was named Hertha captain in July by head coach Pál Dárdai. He even played in three 2. Bundesliga games, as well as a cup game, before his move to Mainz was completed at the start of this week. Richter said that captaining the Berliners was “an honour.” However, things have changed very quickly. "When the door opened, those responsible in Mainz gave it everything to get the move done as swiftly as possible," the 25-year-old explained during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. After conversations with those responsible at Mainz, he immediately had a “great feeling” and no longer had a “Plan B” in mind, adding “Everything happened very quickly; I’m happy to be here now.”

“I listened to my heart and my head”

FSV’s new number 10 has had a “nerve-wracking few weeks.” He was in touch almost every day with his former club’s management team, his agent and Mainz sporting director Martin Schmidt and head coach Bo Svensson. Not only has the period since Hertha’s relegation been turbulent, but the numerous managerial changes over the last two years in Berlin, as well as the team’s narrow survival in the relegation play-offs in 2022, were “tough mentally.” The versatile attacking player is convinced his move to FSV is the right one, despite it being tough to leave the capital following relegation. “I listened to my heart and my head and can’t wait to get started,” the new arrival explained.

Photo: Richter will wear the number 10 shirt at FSV.

Schmidt & Svensson as crucial factors – “I was extremely keen after that”

Richter explains that there were, above all, two individuals who were crucial in convincing him to join Mainz 05. One of those was Martin Schmidt, who once coached him in Augsburg and whom he never lost contact with, something that then once again intensified over the last few days. On the other hand, a telephone call with Bo Svensson finally convinced him that Mainz was the right choice for him. “I was extremely keen after that,” Richter said, since the Dane revealed a clear plan as well as where he saw room for improvement. “He told me that my transitional play needs to improve, that I need to take less touches when looking to go forwards. He sees me as playing in between the opposition and wants to help me improve in every training session and every game. He is completely open and clear in that regard. I need a kick up the backside every now and then. I’m looking forward to it,” said the attacker, who played for FC Bayern München and FC Augsburg in his youth. Since then, he has gone on to make 156 Bundesliga appearances and scored 23 goals. 

Continuing to play in the top flight, but finally not having to worry about a relegation battle is all part of his plan at his new home. Looking back, he explains that he hasn’t really experienced anything else since his debut in the top division in 2017. “A worry-free season would be a dream for me,” he says, laughing. “I am confident that we won’t have anything to do with the relegation battle. We will see what we are able to achieve down the line.”

“A worry-free season would be a dream for me”

Richter feels ready to make his mark immediately and, in an ideal world, contribute personally towards a successful clash against his “favourite opponents” on Sunday afternoon (15:30 CEST). He has scored five goals against Eintracht Frankfurt to date, and he would like to follow that up with number six at the weekend. He was unable to explain why he has been so prolific against Frankfurt, but said with a wide grin on his face that he “would definitely watch the goals back ahead of the game.”

He would also like to continue working towards achieving another big dream of his by contributing “lots of goals and assists” in a Mainz shirt. “Playing for the national team is naturally a big dream for me,” admits the attacker, who feels most comfortable playing as a number 8 or 10. However, it’s clear that he will only be able to convince people by putting in good performances. He sees FSV as a place that offers him the required elements for him to take the next step. “I can now focus fully on football here at a settled, well-led club,” said Richter on what is at the top of his list of priorities.