Heiko Butscher Steps in as Interim Coach to Save VfL Bochum from Bundesliga Relegation: Internal Solution Confirmed

It was too short a notice for Peter Stöger, and Stefan Kuntz also doesn’t want to return to the Ruhr area: Heiko Butscher’s internal solution is supposed to save VfL Bochum from relegation from the Bundesliga. The club confirmed this on Tuesday afternoon.

It is the fourth time that Butscher has taken over as coach on an interim basis. On Tuesday afternoon he will lead the “anne Castroper” training again for the first time.

“He knows VfL, he knows the situation at VfL and has proven that he can immediately reach a team in terms of content and emotion,” said managing director Patrick Fabian. And sports director Marc Lettau added: “Heiko is a VfLer through and through.”

Butscher had already stepped in as interim coach in 2018, 2019 and 2022. The former central defender most recently looked after VfL in the last game before Thomas Letsch was signed in September 2022 and ensured the then bottom team won their first point (1-1 against 1. FC Köln).

Butscher: “It only works together”

Now Butscher wants to tackle the task with great team spirit. “It’s clear to all of us: It’s only possible together. As a team, as a unit, together with our fans,” said the 43-year-old when he took office again.

As early as 2022, there was even speculation about a permanent commitment for the calm Allgäu native before VfL officials pulled Letsch out of the hat.

But just as suddenly as the 55-year-old arrived in Bochum, he is now gone again. The Ruhrpott club, which is now in serious danger of relegation, lacked support after six games without a win and a fall to 15th place. The Letsch chapter in Bochum ended on Monday.

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Stefan Kuntz and Peter Stöger were traded

Initially, prominent names such as ex-Bochum Kuntz and former Cologne and BVB coach Stöger were traded. At least Stöger had publicly declared his rejection. The mission was “interesting, but it was too short notice,” said the Austrian on Sky.

The delicate task now falls to Butscher, who will be in charge for six games this time. Three points separate the Bochum team from FSV Mainz 05 in relegation place 16 in the final spurt of the season; VfL only got one point from the three key games against Mainz, Darmstadt 98 and Cologne.

Even if Butscher is more of an emergency solution than a preferred candidate, the choice is definitely obvious. He knows the club and its surroundings very well, signed his first professional contract there in 2005 and has worked in various positions since retiring in 2015 (also in Bochum). Most recently as sporting director of the youth department and coach of the U19.

Butscher will make his comeback to the bench next Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky), when Bayern conqueror 1. FC Heidenheim comes to the Ruhrstadion for an important game.

2024-04-09 21:38:47
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