Borussia’s midfielder talks about his relationship with his head coach, his style of play and his hair.
Manu, would you say that you’ve arrived in the Bundesliga now?
Koné: I know where I’ve come from. I had two good seasons at Toulouse, but there’s a big difference between the Bundesliga and Ligue 2. The injury that I suffered at the start of the season set me back too.
You were only able to make your Bundesliga debut in September against Dortmund…
Koné: The game against Dortmund was my reward for all the hard work I had to put in to get fit. It was up to me to show what I can do on the pitch. We won and I was able to pick up some confidence that day. Being able to play and win at BORUSSIA-PARK was incredible. My family was in the stadium too, which made me even happier. It was a really great moment.
What’s your relationship with Adi Hütter like?
Koné: It’s good. He tries to push me as much as he can. I know that he trusts me and I trust him. Our communication is very simple. He tells me what he wants to see from me on the pitch and I then have to prove myself in games and during training.
How would you describe your style of play?
Koné: I always try to give my best in midfield. Winning the ball back is one strength you need to have as a midfielder. It’s one of my strengths, but not my main one. Zak, Flo, Chris, Laci and I are all players that can win possession back in the midfield and then look to drive forward. It’s important for the team that I can do that.
Where is your favourite position in midfield?
Koné: Positions in midfield aren’t always the same. A defensive midfielder can quickly become a box-to-box midfielder and vice versa. I like to be able to attack and make my mark in the final third. If I had to choose a favourite position, then it would be as a box-to-box midfielder.
Your green hair has almost become your trademark now. How did you decide on that colour?
Koné: I had previously dyed my hair blonde and there was a bit of pink in it too, so I wanted to change it. Initially I wanted to dye it blue, but because there was still a bit of blonde in it, it ended up green. Once I saw that it matched our shirt, I decided to keep it. It matches the colours of Borussia and it’s my new style.
What are your hobbies away from football?
Koné: I like to listen to music, dance and watch TV series. Ultimately, football is the only thing that matters though. That’s the only thing I think about.