"I feel really comfortable here"

Jérôme, you recently made your debut for LASK in the home match against Salzburg. How did you experience your first minutes at the Raiffeisen Arena?
The first minutes of my debut here at the Raiffeisen Arena were really special for me—I had goosebumps. The reception was fantastic, and the fans stood up for me, which I am very grateful for. I hadn’t played since April, so it was an exceptional and wonderful feeling. I’m just happy to have been back on the pitch.

You’ve been training with the team for a while now. How are you feeling physically?
Physically, I’m doing well. I joined team training a bit later, but I feel good and I’m getting better day by day. Now, I want to help the team as quickly as possible and, in the near future, play more minutes.

How comfortable are you with the team, and how have your teammates received you?
I was welcomed very well from day one, both by the team and everyone around it. I feel really comfortable here in Linz; the people are very friendly. After all the years and many places I’ve been, I can tell when I’m happy by the smile I bring. The environment gives a great feeling. The players here are all focused on football, which is very important, especially for a young team like ours. I think we have a lot of quality. It’s a pleasure to be part of the team, and I’m trying to contribute in any way I can.

You’ve achieved numerous successes in your career, including a World Cup title, two Champions League wins, and nine Bundesliga titles. What was the deciding factor for you to join LASK this summer?
The contact came about somewhat randomly at first, but then I looked into it more thoroughly. The deciding factor was the feeling I got and what I encountered here—the path and the vision that was presented to me. I felt that the club and the environment are very eager to move forward and not resting on past achievements. That’s why I decided to contribute here; I find this path very interesting and want to be part of it.

You have made 363 appearances for FC Bayern, played 76 matches for the German national team, and also competed in the Premier League with Manchester City. What are your impressions of your new teammates, the club, and the fans so far?
The impressions from my teammates have been absolutely positive. We have a very young team, but also a good mix with experienced players. I’m the oldest in the team, which is new for me (laughs). But it’s enjoyable working with the guys and the coaching staff; we have a great group. The surrounding team is also very professional and super friendly, which makes it easy for the players to feel comfortable and acclimate.

You bring a high level of game intelligence, and one of your strengths is in building up play. What experiences and qualities do you think you can contribute to help the team as best as possible?
I try to pass on the things I’ve learned from my previous experiences to the team, but not as a teacher—just by offering tips. The guys are very receptive to that, and on the flip side, I am also always learning. I remain open and enjoy interacting with the guys. There are always new things to learn from the coaching staff, and I try to help the team as much as possible so that we can progress together.

With the Raiffeisen Arena, LASK has a modern infrastructure. How do you assess the conditions you’ve encountered here?
The conditions and infrastructure here are top-notch. I’m truly impressed and was surprised because I hadn’t known the stadium before. I’m excited about every home game I get to play in, especially in front of such fantastic fans who supported us against Salzburg, even clapping and cheering despite the defeat. They showed that they saw we gave our all. It was a bit unfortunate in the end, and I don’t think we deserved to lose. But now we move on to the next game, and it’s important to set ourselves up well.

How have you settled in personally in Linz?
Personally, I feel very good. Currently, I’m still living in the stadium, but I’ll be moving into a new place in about 10-14 days. Everything we need is here, and my family and children and I feel very comfortable, which is crucial for me. Feeling at home and having everything in the city working well is important.

Austrian football has seen a significant upturn under team coach Ralf Rangnick. How do you evaluate the development of the national team, and how do you assess the level of the Austrian Bundesliga?
The European Championship was a clear statement from the Austrian national team. They played some great games, and you could clearly see Ralf Rangnick’s influence. It was a team that knew exactly what it was doing. It was unfortunate that they didn’t advance further; I would have liked to see them go further. Still, it’s great for Austrian football, and I hope it will inspire more fans to attend games this season. Generally, I’ve noticed that there are good teams in the Austrian league. The level of the league is high, and you have to give your all in every game to earn your points.