WOLVES-STATS.CO.UK
Q&A with: Stefan Maierhofer
Stefan Maierhofer joined Wolves on the last day of the 2009 summer transfer window from Rapid Vienna. A late starter in professional football, Stefan has fast-tracked his way to the English Premier League.
In 2006, Stefan signed a pro contract with German giants Bayern Munich. After a successful spell in the Bayern reserve team (21 goals in 42 games), he found himself on the brink of the first team. In 2007, he made two late sub appearances in the Bundesliga before joining German 2nd division side TuS Koblenz, where he stayed until the end of the season. Another move in 2007 saw him sign a 2 year deal with another German 2nd Division side, SpVgg Greuther Fürth. At the start of 2008, he joined Rapid Vienna on loan, helping Rapid to win the Austrian Bundesliga title. 7 goals in his 11 games earned him a full move to Rapid and a chance to play in European competitions. 2008/2009 was a fine season for Maierhofer as he hit 24 goals in 38 games, including two goals in the Champions League qualifiers and Rapid finished runners up in the league.
That season alerted clubs around Europe and Wolves were keeping a close eye on him. At the start of the 2009/2010 season, he played in England when Rapid were drawn against Aston Villa in the Europa League qualifier. Villa would have expected to get through the tie with ease and they were cruising through until Maierhofer was introduced at Villa Park in the 2nd leg. He caused the Villa defence no end of problems and was instrumental in Rapid getting back in the game and knocking Villa out.
His final game for Rapid was in the Vienna derby, where he scored in a 1-1 draw, and two days later he was signed by Wolves for around £1.8m. Within hours of signing, he was off on international duty and scored his first goal for Austria against the Faroe Islands. After just a brief training session with his new club, he made his Premier League debut as a second half sub away at Blackburn. Despite a poor team performance, Maierhofer had something to be happy about as he scored on his debut, a late strike in the 3-1 defeat.
His first start for Wolves could not have come on a bigger stage, a League Cup tie at Old Trafford, causing problems to the United defence that culminated in a sending off for Rafael. Since then it has been all about coming off the bench in the league and a sending off at Everton that Mick McCarthy called a disgrace.
Stefan was kind enough to grant Wolves-Stats an interview, answering questions posted on www.wolvesforum.co.uk
So here is what Stefan had to say...........
In 2006, Stefan signed a pro contract with German giants Bayern Munich. After a successful spell in the Bayern reserve team (21 goals in 42 games), he found himself on the brink of the first team. In 2007, he made two late sub appearances in the Bundesliga before joining German 2nd division side TuS Koblenz, where he stayed until the end of the season. Another move in 2007 saw him sign a 2 year deal with another German 2nd Division side, SpVgg Greuther Fürth. At the start of 2008, he joined Rapid Vienna on loan, helping Rapid to win the Austrian Bundesliga title. 7 goals in his 11 games earned him a full move to Rapid and a chance to play in European competitions. 2008/2009 was a fine season for Maierhofer as he hit 24 goals in 38 games, including two goals in the Champions League qualifiers and Rapid finished runners up in the league.
That season alerted clubs around Europe and Wolves were keeping a close eye on him. At the start of the 2009/2010 season, he played in England when Rapid were drawn against Aston Villa in the Europa League qualifier. Villa would have expected to get through the tie with ease and they were cruising through until Maierhofer was introduced at Villa Park in the 2nd leg. He caused the Villa defence no end of problems and was instrumental in Rapid getting back in the game and knocking Villa out.
His final game for Rapid was in the Vienna derby, where he scored in a 1-1 draw, and two days later he was signed by Wolves for around £1.8m. Within hours of signing, he was off on international duty and scored his first goal for Austria against the Faroe Islands. After just a brief training session with his new club, he made his Premier League debut as a second half sub away at Blackburn. Despite a poor team performance, Maierhofer had something to be happy about as he scored on his debut, a late strike in the 3-1 defeat.
His first start for Wolves could not have come on a bigger stage, a League Cup tie at Old Trafford, causing problems to the United defence that culminated in a sending off for Rafael. Since then it has been all about coming off the bench in the league and a sending off at Everton that Mick McCarthy called a disgrace.
Stefan was kind enough to grant Wolves-Stats an interview, answering questions posted on www.wolvesforum.co.uk
So here is what Stefan had to say...........
© stefan-maierhofer.com
First off, Welcome to Wolverhampton - How are you settling into life in England?
Pretty well! Everyone here was very supportive and helped me to find my appartment which I just got.
© stefan-maierhofer.com
When did you first find out about the interest from Wolves?
2-3 weeks before I signed.
Had you heard of the club before and its history?
I have heard about the club before, but not that much. I found out later that we are one of the founding members of the Football League and the early successes.
Can you explain how the transfer works, from the moment you found out to the day you signed. What was the process?
As mentioned I heard about it about 2-3 weeks before and knew they were watching me in a couple of matches. The last one being the city derby where I managed to score the final 1:1 equalizer. That was on Sunday night and my agent told me that Wolves want me to come to a final fitness test on Monday which was the last day of the transfer period. After Austrias team manager agreed for me to join the national squad a day later, I flew to Wolverhampton, passed the test and signed the contract!
© stefan-maierhofer.com
What impressed you most about the club?
The professionalism. The welcome, training and everything is really professional and I like that a lot!
How did you get welcomed by the other players?
It was a really warm welcome from the players as well as everyone else in the club. Everybody was very supportive!
After you signed, you had to go away on International duty, where you scored your first goal for Austria. Was that the best week of your footballing career to date?
It was definitely a great week and maybe the most important for my career. But there were other great weeks too. I remember wining the city derby 2-0 scoring twice and five days later beating Salzburg 7-0, scoring twice again!
© Wolves Pics
How do you find the training at Wolves, compared to Vienna?
It's much more intense. We have a big squad and everybody is giving everything in every training! We do a lot more tactics and coordination training than with Rapid Vienna.
How you get on with the gaffer?
We get along great!
Which players have impressed you the most at Wolves?
The whole team I would say. There's a great team spirit and everybody has the same goal which is to staying up in the PL.
The red card, awful decision as it was, what have you learnt from it?
Not much to learn from it I guess. It's my job to attack and score goals and that's what I tried to do. It was too bad that I missed the game against Aston Villa though, because my father was visiting me and could have seen me playing.
The Awful decision at Everton
What are the main differences between English and Austrian football?
English football is much harder and faster.
What do you hope to achieve at Wolves?
We want to stay up in the PL in this season and keep the club up the next seasons. The PL is where Wolves belong to.
You currently sit behind Ebanks-Blake and Doyle, do you think you will be able to get ahead of them and claim a starting role?
It would be sad if I wouldn't! I know my qualities and I am trying to give my best in every training. After that it's up to the manager to decide who's playing.
© stefan-maierhofer.com
Any messages for the fans you have left behind in Vienna?
I had a wonderful and very successful time with Rapid! It was always a pleasure to play in St. Hanappi in front of the best fans in Austria!
© stefan-maierhofer.com
Debut Goal
Can you tell us a bit more about the man, that is Stefan Maierhofer? Your family life, favourite music/tv/movie/food etc.
I listen to all kinds of music and often watch MTV. I'm a fan of Tarantino - Pulp Fiction and From Dusk till Dawn are all time favourites of mine. I have a dog named Diego who is staying with my parents now.
Have you sampled the night life in Wolverhampton yet?
No, haven't been out yet :-(
You started out as a cook, would you say you are a better footballer or cook?
I guess I can cook quite well, but I'm a much better footballer!
If you visited my house to cook me a meal, what you would serve up?
I could do some chicken strips with rice and some pancakes and Kaiserschmarrn for dessert!
What do you miss the most from Austria than you can't get here in England?
My mothers Schnitzel! Beside that I really enjoy doing what I love to do and getting to know another culture as well.
How do you spend your free time?
Since I just came here and got my new appartment there wasn't much of it so far. But I try to stay in touch with friends and family a lot, with the phone, skype, and so on.
Finally - Any messages for the Wolves fans?
Thanks for the great support! It's an amazing atmosphere at every game at the Molineux and I'm enjoying every minute of it!!
Woves-Stats would like thank Stefan Maierhofer for taking the time to answer the questions put to him by the fans, we wish you all the best in you career at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The questions were set by the users of www.wolvesforum.co.uk, click on the image below and become a member, giving you the chance to ask questions to current and ex players and be part of new online Wolves community. You can also keep up with Stefan Maierhofer by visiting his official website and on his Facebook page. Click on the images below to access them.
The questions were set by the users of www.wolvesforum.co.uk, click on the image below and become a member, giving you the chance to ask questions to current and ex players and be part of new online Wolves community. You can also keep up with Stefan Maierhofer by visiting his official website and on his Facebook page. Click on the images below to access them.
