Former Halle coach in an interview
©IMAGO
The first official position as head coach was only short-lived for Stefan Reisinger. The former centre-forward was able to give Halleschen FC new impetus, but ultimately could not avoid relegation from the 3rd division. In the (Site notre blog d’information) interview, the 42-year-old talks about the difficulties of his coaching training, the strange preparation for the job in Halle, the allegations from the team and his career plan.
Transfer market: Mr. Reisinger, how restless are you as a coach who currently does not hold an official position in a club?
Stephane Reisinger: Of course, I need some patience, I knew that in advance. Even if I’m not the most patient person. (laughs) But you have to learn that in this profession.
Transfer market: Let’s go back a little further. You were one of 16 participants in the 69th DFB Pro Licence and completed your training in February 2024. « It was a very long and anything but easy path to get there, » you explained via « Bild ». What did you mean by that exactly?
Reisinger: First you need to complete all the preliminary steps. I started acquiring coaching licenses when I was a player, sometimes during my summer holidays. For each step you need certain requirements – of course, the budget must also be there. The Pro License course is a very long and expensive process. And there is no guarantee that you will get a job.
Transfer market: Curious: As part of your coaching training, you were assigned to Hallesche FC as a club for a simulation – you arrived there in April 2024. So were you well prepared for your first position as head coach?
Reisinger: In theory, certainly. I got the ticket in the first half of the season. I have to say that I have already worked in the 3rd league for the last six years, at Uerdingen and at 1860. I myself have played in the first three leagues and therefore know the environment very well and know many players. But it was only thanks to the draw that I was able to get to know Halleschen FC better. It’s funny that I was allowed to take over the club later.
Reisinger was convinced that Halle could stay in the third division
Transfer market: They followed sacked coach Sreto Ristic for a final push in the third division relegation battle.
Reisinger: I knew I was taking over in a difficult situation in the relegation zone. But I was convinced we could do it.
Transfer market: If you ignore the first two games, your team has only conceded two goals in five league games. You were a centre-forward yourself. How does that fit in?
Reisinger: Until then, we were by far the ones who had conceded the most goals. It was particularly important to start there, otherwise we would not have had a chance. Basically, I think offensively. And despite an offensive approach, we managed to stabilise the defence. Not only with Catenaccio, because we approached the subject with courage. I think the whole environment and the fans also appreciated that. The appreciation was great until the end, even if we were relegated.
Transfer market: Halle had to go down to the Regionalliga Nordost, for them it was a short chapter. Why was it over?
Reisinger: I became a (Site notre bureau spécialisé) teacher in order to continue working at the professional level. I know many leagues well, but less the North East Regional League.
Training too hard in Halle? Reisinger talks about his ambition
Transfer market: There were complaints against you from the Halle team, it was said that the training was too hard. How did you deal with that?
Reisinger: I have to be honest and say that I didn’t perceive it as it was written. I’ve always talked a lot with the players. And one thing is also clear: to get out of the bottom, the physical conditions have to be right. At the beginning, it didn’t go as I had imagined. In addition, one or two of them were injured and we didn’t have much choice in the team. But I’m very ambitious. That’s part of trying everything. At the beginning, the intensity was perhaps a little unusual for some players, but everyone got along well. And events proved us right. As did the decision to bring back the suspended players. Those who had not been taken into account before performed well. The main problem is that we ended up missing two or three games.
Transfer market: What lessons have you learned?
Reisinger: I would rely even more on my intuition and gut feeling. I think I have a good eye and can see where to apply leverage. Our communication has always been good and we have not had any injuries during this period.
Transfer market: What are you looking for in the future? You talked about having a career plan…
Reisinger: (Site notre blog d’information) is my absolute passion. I put a lot of effort into becoming a (Site notre bureau spécialisé) teacher. And now I want to keep it that way. It could be from the third league to abroad, I would find it just as exciting. I have achieved a lot as a player and I would like to achieve even more as a coach.
Transfer market: Coaching positions in the top three leagues are sought after and limited. What do you think you can actually score points with?
Reisinger: I think it has been proven that me and my coaching staff can make a difference in a very short time and not only stabilize a team but also develop it further. We had a certain willingness to take risks, both offensively and defensively. And I have experience as an active player in all three professional leagues.
Interview: Philipp Marquardt
