Maybe not every fan comes up with it – what was the name of the last relegation coach from the Bundesliga? Exactly, Thomas Doll led 96 into the 2nd division in May 2019. Since then, 96 has been spinning around in the House of Commons, now for the third year. The comparison of the three seasons after the current 12th matchday reveals the desolate situation – a standstill at the 96 low point.
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In terms of sport, nothing has changed for the better since 2019. Coach Mirko Slomka was fired after this twelfth game, a 1-1 at home against Sandhausen. This game shows parallels to the 1-1 last Saturday against Aue. 96 took the lead early (7th minute, Hendrik Weydandt; 4th, Sebastian Kerk), conceded the equalizer and was lucky not to lose yet. Unlike Slomka, however, coach Jan Zimmerman still has credit. But why is 96 not making progress in sports? A search for clues.
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The risk personnel in the top positions
The many wrong decisions have to be paid for with high severance payments. After relegation in 2019, manager Horst Heldt had to leave. He was followed by Jan Schlaudraff, who was actually intended for the second row. But because top candidates like Markus Krösche (preferred Leipzig, now Frankfurt) and Jonas Boldt (went to HSV) canceled, Schlaudraff moved forward for lack of alternatives.
The coach was Slomka, who was otherwise no longer available. The legendary sentence from 96 boss Martin Kind when introducing the two of them: “We’ll manage it somehow.” They don’t. Slomka was followed by Kenan Kocak, who had previously worked in the tranquil town of Sandhausen. Kocak made friends with Gerhard Zuber, previously the second man behind Heldt and put aside. Zuber had sued 96 and was promoted from court to succeed Schlaudraff.
As soon as Schlaudraff was gone, the togetherness between Kocak and Zuber turned into an opposition. Both were bid farewell after last season. Kind has high hopes for the new sports director, Marcus Mann. The coaching candidate was Steffen Baumgart, who went to Cologne. Then Zimmermann came from Havelse, who is new to the professional business, a cheap solution and a risk.
Permanent upheaval
The respective new coaches and managers always wanted new players. Kocak, for example, sent professionals like Ron-Robert Zieler, Edgar Prib, Marvin Bakalorz and Felipe away for a total of 1.5 million euros in severance pay. Eleven new players came for the current season. Some, as in previous years, were late. There is not enough time for the team’s finding process, which actually takes up time.
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Transferpannen
With Jonathas, Heldt left behind a heavy inheritance of 10 million in 96. There has been a long list of flops over the years. Schlaudraff signed the expensive goalkeeper Zieler without need, although Michael Esser was a decent number one on board. Zuber / Kocak were almost entirely wrong, the most expensive with Patrick Twumasi. Now the question arises whether the recently signed Lukas Hinterseer is the Torgarant that 96 absolutely needs.
Levies and quality losses
Year after year, top performers like Ihlas Bebou (Hoffenheim), Niclas Füllkrug (Werder), Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart) went. Most recently: Timo Hübers (Cologne), Genki Haraguchi (Union Berlin) and Marvin Ducksch (Werder). They have rarely been adequately replaced (see transfer mishaps).
Contaminated sites and long-term problems
Since relegation, 96 players dragged through who sit out their overpaid contracts, but cheat their form. These are currently Florent Muslija, Linton Maina and Twumasi. The lavish Weydandt contract is also considered an expensive mistake. “We still have a relatively expensive team,” says Kind.
It was like that year after year without it paying off in performance. For the second division, a relatively large amount of money was in the hands of the wrong people, who brought in the wrong players. The result is shown in the tables. But also in the number of spectators – 96 the stadium is empty.
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