The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger gave a realistic appraisal of Bolt as a footballer.
“He is talented, but if he wants to make it at the top level, there are still a few things to do,” said the Austrian.
“It’s a big leap from athletics to football.
“He’s an unbelievably laid-back guy, an athlete with so much success, but with his feet very much on the ground.
“He had fun and he got some feedback, which was his wish.
??♂️??? Wenn unsere Kleinsten einen ganz Großen treffen… @usainbolt #bvbolt pic.twitter.com/zMEslhZxHN
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) March 23, 2018
“He understands the game, what he’s missing is the team work and how to move.”
– Watching, learning –
Bolt wants to be invited back to train again — and maybe even sign — with Dortmund.
“I hope to come again and hopefully they will welcome me, I can get better and (they’ll) sign me — you never know,” he said.
The Jamaican refused to measure himself against Dortmund’s professionals.
“I don’t compare myself to them yet. I want to play at the level I know I can, to improve and to learn from them,” he said.
“This is what they do for a living and I am trying to get into this by watching and learning.”
However, he was very clear that he does not want to play lower league football.
Bolt dismissed even the suggestion of playing for Dortmund’s reserves in Germany’s third division to gain experience.
The fastest man alive is here, in Dortmund! Big honor to meet you @usainbolt ⚡#respect pic.twitter.com/8Vgjs1QGcp
— Nuri Şahin (@nurisahin) March 23, 2018
“I wouldn’t want to play in a lesser league, I want to play in the top league – this is why I am here,” he added.
“I would like to work with the team more and improve my skills, get better and try to play in the big league.
“I don’t set any standards, I don’t know where I am at.
“If it gets to the time where I feel like I am at the level, then the coaches or the club will say ‘alright, you know what? You can play at this level or that level’
“Until then, I am just going to working hard and pushing myself.”
Bolt, a Manchester United fan, is already due to play at the club’s iconic Old Trafford stadium in a charity football match on June 10.
Bolt will line up opposite British pop star Robbie Williams and captain the Soccer Aid World XI in a match to raise funds for the United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef.
