GM: How has Wellington's arrival been greeted in Germany? Do you think Andreas Beck can challenge for the German side now that he is likely to get regular playing time? Where does Ralf Rangnick rank among the all-time greats?
RH: Stop it. If you must know, Wellington – the Brazilian striker – is actually quite big news. His arival is seen as more evidence of Hoffenheim's ambition.
GM: And why is Podolski still around?
RH: Klinsmann asked him to stay and Bayern want to give him one last chance.
Guillem Balague: He’s a good left winger.
RH: He also didn’t have any enticing offers. Man City, Bremen, Cologne... No improvement on his wages. He’s also not really cut out for life abroad. Munich is already a struggle for him.
GM:I'm assuming Butt for Kahn won't be traumatic... And Borowski will be just another tall, hyperactive German on the bench, yes?
RH: Butt will only be on the bench. Michael Rensing will be given six months to prove himself, otherwise Bayern might just go and buy Adler, who’s by far the best new keeper. But he is also injury-prone, sadly. I think Borowksi will play a bit because Ze Roberto can't play too many games any more.
GB: Who will challenge Bayern for the title?
RH: Biggest challenge will come from Werder, Schalke and Stuttgart, I think.
GM: Schalke are going Dutch... I’m a Farfan fan. Do you rate Engelaar?
RH: He’s a decent player but not top-class. Schalke’s main problem is still too many mediocre players in the squad.
GB: Are Bremen any better?
RH: There are still looking to buy one very good striker. As long as they keep Diego, they'll be pretty good again. Don't forget Frings only played five games all season for them last year.
GB: Will they keep Diego?
RH: I think so, now that Real Madrid are out of the picture.
GB: Wolfsburg are highly-rated, too, aren’t they?
RH: They have Barzagli and Zaccardo, that’s why.
GM: The two World Champions, you mean?
RH: Yes. They’re a good team, still a little under-rated, with no Champions League distractions. I think they might just break the top three. Otherwise, the biggest story is of course Klinsmann at Bayern. He tried 3-5-2 in pre-season, I was rather shocked.
GB: Why the new system?
RH: He’s married to the two striker-system but wanted three central midfielders, too. Bizarre, if you ask me.
GM: Does he even have three central defenders?
RH: He had, before Demichelis got injured. Lucio and Van Buyten are the other two. I hope it was just an experiment. There's a reason this system died out a while ago.
GM: Let's discuss the captaincy... Van Bommel is the new captain right?
RH: Yes.
GM: How inspirational do you think he'll be? Do you think a foreigner can properly inspire his teammates? Especially a Dutch guy? Remember, the Dutch have a tendency to run rather than fight. Do you think he has the character and generosity of spirit? Wouldn't Lucio have made a better captain? And surely this is the single most important issue in Munich right now?
RH: I’ve got a feeling you’re being sarcastic here. How dare you belittle the armband. THE ARMBAND! On a serious note: It’s only an issue because Lahm was promised a shot at it and of course Sagnol - now injured again . was convinced he would be the new captain, too.
GM: Why doesn't Klinsmann just let the players vote? It’s the most democratic way...
RH: I don’t know.maybe he doesn’t believe in democracy. Anyway, do keep an eye on Schweini in the Champions League this season. He's out of contract in 2009 and fancies a move. These players tend to do very well.