Introducing Edmund Becker, a.k.a Mr Karlsruhe. The former pro played for the club for nine years before joining the coaching staff in 1990, where he’s been ever since. Since he became head coach in 2005, Karlsruhe have gone from strength to strength. Within three years, he took the side from the bottom of the second division to the top of the first. Karlsruhe finished last season in a respectable 11th place, and have made a solid start to their second Bundesliga year. Meanwhile Becker has just committed himself to the club until 2010. The fans hope he stays longer. But despite Karlsruhe’s meteoric rise, Becker has kept his feet firmly on the ground. ”There are more important things in life than football,” he tells us. But what could be more beautiful than the beautiful game? We find out.