After parting ways with coach Thomas Letsch, VfL Bochum has decided on an interim solution until the end of the season.
The 43-year-old former central defender, who signed his first professional contract as a player with VfL in 2005, has already helped out as interim coach for the professionals in 2018, 2019 and 2022. The last time he looked after VfL was in the last game before Thomas Letsch was signed in September 2022 and ensured that the then bottom team won their first point (1-1 against 1. FC Köln). He will be supported by assistant coaches Markus Feldhoff, Frank Heinemann and Marc-André Kruska.
“We consciously and with full conviction chose Heiko Butscher and therefore chose an internal solution. Heiko immediately agreed to take on this challenge. He knows VfL, he knows the situation at VfL and has proven that he needs one immediately team in terms of content and emotion. Together we are convinced that we can stay in the league,” said VfL managing director Patrick Fabian.
VfL Bochum and the vanished magic of Thomas Letsch Arrow on the right
The first training session for the new head coach is in the afternoon at 3:30 p.m. “I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in me and I am really looking forward to working with the team. It is clear to all of us: It is only possible together. As a team, as a unit, together with our fans,” said the 43-year-old.
Butcher should stop the negative trend
On Monday, the relegation-threatened Bundesliga club from the Ruhr area announced the departure of coach Letsch. There had recently been a worrying negative trend at VfL – although the club actually seemed to have already been saved after a 3-2 win against FC Bayern Munich on matchday 22.
In mid-February, the lead over the relegation relegation place was a comfortable nine points – Bochum was closer to the international ranks than to the 2nd Bundesliga. However, a series with just one point from six games meant that worries grew from week to week.
VfL is currently three points ahead of 16th place and four points ahead of a direct relegation zone. The next opponent on Saturday is 1. FC Heidenheim, who also defeated FC Bayern Munich last weekend.
Rejection of preferred candidate Stöger
Peter Stöger was originally considered the favorite to succeed Letsch. But the former Bundesliga coach, who is currently the sports director at the Austrian second division club Admira Wacker Mödling, canceled the Revierclub on Monday evening and is not returning for the time being after his positions at 1. FC Köln (2013 to 2017) and Borussia Dortmund (2017 to 2018). back into the German football upper house.
Another candidate to succeed Letsch was former U21 national coach Stefan Kuntz, who played for VfL from 1983 to 1986 and 1998/99. From 2006 to 2008 he was manager of the Revierclub, most recently holding the position of national coach of Turkey.
VfL Bochum separates from coach Letsch Pfeil right
Letsch took over Bochum in September 2022 in last place in the table. The 55-year-old managed to stay in the league with VfL last season and was then celebrated in the Ruhr Stadium.