While many football players aim for a coaching career post-retirement, da Costa is content with his current role and does not see himself transitioning into coaching.
Da Costa has played under several notable coaches throughout his career
In an exclusive Zoom interview organized by the German football league, DFL, 29-year-old Mainz defender Danny da Costa revealed that he has no plans to become a coach when he retires. While many football players aim for a coaching career post-retirement, da Costa is content with his current role and does not see himself transitioning into coaching. Da Costa has played under several notable coaches throughout his career, including Jupp Heynckes, Ralph Hasenhüttl, Niko Kovač, and Oliver Glasner. Reflecting on his experiences with these coaches, da Costa emphasized the significant role they have played in his development as a player. Jupp Heynckes, who gave da Costa his first Bundesliga debut at the age of 18, is particularly important to the defender.
Da Costa joined Bayer Leverkusen as an eight-year-old and credits Heynckes for seeing potential in him as a young player. “At Bayer Leverkusen, Heynckes saw something in me as a youngster, and I am grateful for that,” da Costa said.
Danny added that he believes Svensson will have a great coaching career in the future
Da Costa also had a successful season under Niko Kovač at Frankfurt, winning the DFB-Pokal in the 2017/18 season and forming a strong connection with Kovač. “I have a fantastic connection with Niko Kovač,” da Costa said. Currently, da Costa plays under Bo Svensson, whom he admires for his focus on the individual player as a person, not just a football player. “He always thinks about the person, not just as a football player,” da Costa said of Svensson. He added that he believes Svensson will have a great coaching career in the future. Da Costa’s current team, Mainz, has been enjoying an impressive season under Svensson’s leadership, currently sitting eighth in the Bundesliga table. Da Costa believes that team spirit and teamwork have been critical to their success so far.
The player remains focused on his role as a player and the impact that coaches have on his development
Despite not planning to become a coach, da Costa continues to focus on his development as a player and hopes to continue making significant contributions to his team’s success. Throughout his career, he has made 153 Bundesliga appearances, scoring four goals and providing 19 assists. As for the lack of black coaches in Germany’s top two divisions, da Costa recognizes the issue but chooses to focus on his own career rather than on broader societal challenges. However, he did note that Daniel Thioune, the current coach of 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf is the first and only German-born black head coach in the country’s top two divisions, and there is still a long way to go in terms of representation in coaching roles.
Overall, da Costa remains focused on his role as a player and the impact that coaches have on his development. While coaching may not be in his future, he is grateful for the opportunities and experiences that he has had throughout his career.