If there is anyone who knows all about the ups and downs of life in the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg, then it is Ashkan Dejagah. The 38-year-old, who has both German and Iranian roots, played for the Green-and Whites in Germany’s top flight, as well as in the DFB Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the Europa League and the relegation play-offs – and even in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Nord.
He most recently laced his boots in Iranian club football before announcing his retirement last week, and currently spends his time between Germany and Qatar.
In this interview, fan favourite ‘Asche’ – who we spoke to while he was on a layover in Frankfurt – recalls the biggest sporting triumph of his career, and much more besides.
Ashkan Dejagah, 15 years ago today it was party time in Wolfsburg. When you think back to that Bundesliga title-winning season, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Ashkan Dejagah: “I immediately think back to that atmosphere in the stadium. The fans, who had stormed on to the pitch, were hugging each other and ripping out patches of turf. But I also remember what had been going on in the city all day. I can still picture our parade and the moment I got to hold the trophy. Anyone who has experienced that will never forget it.”
The story of that championship-winning campaign has been told many times, but what anecdotes from back then have you kept to yourself until now?
Asche: “Well there’s not a lot I can say about the night we celebrated the title. I had some friends and family visiting me at the time and I went out and celebrated with my friends and my brother all night. My apartment was right in the city centre. It was already light when we got back and I was still shouting and singing as we walked through the door. My dad said: ‘What are you doing, boy?’ I replied: ‘We’re German champions. Look at all the people on the street!’ But in reality, there was nobody out there because the party had long since finished. My dad still tells that story to this day [laughs].”
You stayed in Wolfsburg until 2012. Why were the years after winning the title so difficult?
Asche: “It wasn’t too bad initially, I don’t think, but when the coach left it affected the team quite a bit. On top of that, we were playing in the Champions League, which was something completely new for a lot of players, myself included. All in all it was probably too much for us, which is why we fell short of the increased expectations.”
