# 7 — Derek Rae on learning German, listening to the Bundesligakonferenz and football in Köln

Derek’s voice will be recognisable to many of you. Not only has he commentated on pretty much every major football league or international competition for a host of industry-leading broadcasters, since 2017, he has been the voice of the EA sports soccer simulator formerly known as FIFA, now EAFC.

For the past few years, he has served as the lead commentator on ESPN's coverage of the Bundesliga, and the league’s international feed.

Describing himself as an unapologetic Germanophile, Derek is a font of knowledge on the Bundesliga, the German language, and the country’s wider football culture. In this podcast, we cover Derek’s aptitude for learning Deutsch, how his linguistic skills have made him a better commentator, the German commentators that influenced him, and his love for the city of Köln.

Derek is a true ambassador for German football, and one of the very best commentators operating in the game today. It was a true pleasure to speak with him. 

Here’s what we covered. 

• Derek's experience covering the Club World Cup (2:00)
• Whether the tournament has been a success (3:45)
• How German fans have received the Club World Cup (5:45)
• The early stages of Derek's career and his time living and working in the US (7:00)
• The profile of German football in the States (10:45)
• Derek's first experiences of German football (16:15)
• How Derek became obsessed with the German language (22:00)
• Listening to the BundesligaKonferenz, and the influence of German commentators on his style (27:30)
• How learning languages has given him a leg up in the commentary game (32:00)
• Why Derek settled in Köln (34:30)
• The city's obsession with the efforts and exploits of FC Köln (37:30) 

About The Bundesletter Podcast

The Bundesletter Podcast is an interview programme featuring the expert insight of observer of German football and its culture.

We'll hear from journalists, historians, analysts and fans of fußball on their experiences of following and learning the game.

This series is a companion to the Bundesletter, a weekly newsletter written, edited and published by Tom Ritchie, a journalist based in Berlin.

You can subscribe to the newsletter here: bundesletter.substack.com.