U19 Coach
©IMAGO
According to information from “Bild”, VfL Bochum has decided on a temporary solution until the end of the season after the separation of coach Thomas Letsch and the rejection of Peter Stöger. Former U19 coach Heiko Butscher will therefore be responsible for the remaining six matches and will lead training this Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. He will be supported by assistant coaches Markus Gellhaus and Frank Heinemann. Butscher previously contributed as interim coach of the pros in 2018, 2019 and most recently in 2022.
On Monday, the Ruhr Bundesliga club, threatened with relegation, announced the departure of coach Letsch. There has been a worrying negative trend at VfL recently – although the club already seemed saved after a 3-2 victory against FC Bayern Munich on matchday 22. By mid-February, the lead on the relegation place was a comfortable nine points; Bochum was closer to the international ranks than to the 2nd Bundesliga. However, a run with just one point in six games meant concerns were growing week by week.
VfL is currently three points ahead of 16th place and four points in a direct relegation zone. The next opponent on Saturday will be 1. FC Heidenheim, who also beat FC Bayern Munich last weekend. Most recently, Stöger, who currently works as sports director at Admira Wacker, rejected the Bochum team. “You called me last night,” he said Monday evening during the “Today” conference. “It was a great conversation. It would also have been very interesting and exciting for me. I considered taking this position to put myself back in the conversation. But short-term nature ultimately ruled against this decision. Also because of the contractual situation at Admira.
Former national under-21 coach Stefan Kuntz was also considered a candidate to succeed Letsch. The 61-year-old played for VfL from 1983 to 1986 and 1998/99. From 2006 to 2008 he managed the Revierklub and most recently served as Turkey’s national coach.
Letsch, dismissed, took over VfL in September 2022 in last place in the standings. The 55-year-old managed to stay in the league with Bochum last season and was subsequently celebrated at the Ruhr Stadium.
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