Sometimes things change at a rapid pace even in those locations where things are a little more tranquil – some say more sensible – in the Bundesliga narrative.
On the 22nd matchday, Thomas Letsch and everyone from Bochum were floating in heaven after a 3-2 win over FC Bayern. Now the 28th game has been played and the 55-year-old Swabian has been on leave. For a club like VfL, which likes to present itself as comparatively independent of the dynamics of modern commercial football, this process damages, at least its image.
The decision seems hasty. After all, VfL is three points clear of 16th place in the table after 28 match days. At the start of the season, everyone involved would probably have said: Great! The squad doesn’t offer much more.
Apparently down to earth
And without the 100 seconds last Saturday in Cologne, when two FC goals in injury time reduced the virtual lead in 17th place from ten to four points, Letsch would probably still be in office at VfL. They “no longer have the conviction that they can make it in the current constellation,” was the dry explanation given by sports director Patrick Fabian.
The only coherent reason for an understandable separation would be serious conflicts with the team. There doesn’t seem to be any. Because captain Losilla replied on Sunday when asked whether the team was behind Letsch: “Of course!”
The main responsibility for the series with only one point from six games lies with the professionals. This gives the separation the appearance of a panic attack. Especially since the club extended the contract with Letsch in November, when the Bochum team were no better in the table than they were on Monday.
Published/Updated: Roland Zorn, Heidenheim Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 11 Daniel Theweleit, Dortmund Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3
Despite all considerations about Stefan Kuntz and Urs Fischer, the favorite to succeed him is Peter Stöger. The new coach will come to a club that supposedly plays down-to-earth “Castrop street football”. It’s just that a coach doesn’t get more support than in other clubs.