Anel Hadzic: In conversation with the Bosnian midfielder

– You were born in Bosnia but moved to Austria with your family at a young age. Do you remember back to why you moved away from home?

– I was three years old when the war started. My father had earlier worked in Austria, and he felt that it was better for us all to return there.

– Did you start to play football from a young age? You could have chosen one of the popular Austrian winter sports.

– I really enjoy skiing. But naturally ever since I was an amateur footballer, I had to put this to one side as there are big risks with injuries attached to skiing. Perhaps when I finish my playing career, I will pull on the skis once more. I started to play football at the age of 5. My brother also played and our father was a professional himself in the Yugoslavian second division. He ended up playing in the Austrian third and fourth leagues after a serious injury.

– If we also count the years spent in the youth system, you remained at Ried for more that 10 years before you signed for Graz. Would it not have been easier to retire as a local legend?

– I started playing first at a smaller team but quickly joined the academy at Ried. I spent around 14 years at Ried and made over 200 first division appearances for them. The club means a lot to me and I feel that the same applies the other way around. The people at the club know just how much I gave them during my time there. I am always happy to go back there when I go home and this will never change. However, I felt that I needed a change on the pitch.

– There was another change in your career: you made your debut for the Bosnian national team despite having played for Austria at youth level.

– Yes, this is correct. I played for the U20 and U21 Austrian side. I am very grateful for this to Austria, but I am a Bosnian and they say that blood never changes. The Bosnian national team bosses watched me a lot before they asked me if I would like to play for the national side. It was never a question that I would not say yes. My father always said that I should play for the colours of Bosnia so everything pointed in that way.

– You played at the 2014 World Cup together with such star players as Pjanic and Dzeko. Just how big a deal was this for you? Fortunately Hungary also experienced what it is like to take part in a tournament like this during the summer.

– Naturally there is plenty of bustle around the team, which is understandable at times like those. There was more money handed down to clubs and the two star players mentioned were massive in Bosnia. This was not only the case when we played in the World cup.

– You last played for the national team back in May. You were not included in the most recent squad. Have you spoken with your national team boss Mehmed Baždarević?

– We talk after virtually each match. I was without a team for a while before I signed for Videoton and the games were missing from my legs and also the team training. He said that I should continue to play regularly for Vidi, and then my name might be included in the squad around February/March time.

– You played in over 200 first division matches in Austria. What do you think about the two leagues in Hungary and Austria? How would you compare them and which league is ahead?

– I think that in terms of infrastructure, Austrian football is ahead and there are more supporters inside stadiums. They place plenty of trust in young players and many experienced players get the chance to play from the coaches. I feel that the actual league in Hungary is tougher and I have seen plenty of good footballers here. I do not think that there is too much between the two leagues.

–  Would you not mind taking off your hat? We would like to take a couple of photos.

 – Well, if I have to.... I need to go to the hairdresser as my hair is not too good at the moment.

–  No problem, it is fine like this.
–  OK, but please do not put too many photos in the article (laughter).

– Before signing for Videoton, you spent a half year in Turkey. Were you planning to spend longer out there and what was the problem?

– There was nothing personally but my team got relegated unfortunately. We were already bottom of the league when I signed for them, but I was hopeful that we could avoid relegation. It did not happen and I wanted to carry on my career closer to home. 

– What do you consider as home? Austria or Bosnia?
– Well yes, this is an interesting question. I spent my life in Austria and my family is there and my flat. However, Bosnia is also naturally my home so I would say both.

– Did you speak to Asmir Suljic about the Hungarian league before singing for Vidi or your international team mate Muhammed Besic?

– I did not speak with Besic but did talk a lot with Asmir. He only said good things about the club and the league, which played a lot in my decision.

– When a person reads that a Bosnian international defensive midfielder will be arriving, and do not take this the wrong way, you would think that it would be a pitbull type figure, but you are more elegant and carry out your things in the middle of the pitch.

– It is true that I am not a Gattuso (laughter). I can play aggressively if I have to but my aim is to hunt down the opposition. Primarily I like to play football and not be the disruptive type. Naturally there is also the need to play more aggressive football in a good way. I do like to play in between the two boxes beside defending. I also try to play my part in attacks.

– The target at Videoton is the league title. Is it easy to achieve these types of expectations?

– It is normal for the aim to be to win the league for us players. It is a strong squad and there are good coaches here. I feel that we are capable of reaching top position. I feel that everything is in place to have a memorable season here with Vidi.

– Tell us which songs you sing together with Suljic in the car when you arrive for training?

– No, no... this is a massive secret (laughter)! Perhaps we enjoy the Bosnian hits too much and it is generally these songs that we listen to.

– How do you spend your time outside of training and playing matches? 

– I spend a lot of time with my family and also girlfriend. She has moved to Szekesfehervar. We have a dog and we enjoy walking through the town. I would not say that we go out too much but we do join the others sometimes for a coffee. I like the fact that it is very peaceful and friendly place.