Bundesliga
“Bild”: Bochum has found a successor for coach Letsch
According to “Bild”, Butscher should step in again as a temporary solution and look after VfL in the remaining six Bundesliga games. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
VfL Bochum already seemed to be saved. Now the Revierclub is back in the relegation battle after a negative series. An old acquaintance should keep him in the Bundesliga.
On Monday, the relegation-threatened Bundesliga club from the Ruhr area announced the departure of coach Letsch. There had recently been a worrying negative trend at VfL – although the club actually seemed to have already been saved after a 3-2 win against FC Bayern Munich on matchday 22. In mid-February, the lead over the relegation relegation place was a comfortable nine points – Bochum was closer to the international ranks than to the 2nd Bundesliga. However, a series with just one point from six games meant that worries grew from week to week.
The next opponent is Bayern conqueror Heidenheim
VfL is currently three points ahead of 16th place and four points ahead of a direct relegation zone. The next opponent on Saturday is 1. FC Heidenheim, who also defeated FC Bayern Munich last weekend.
Former U21 national 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 was manager of the Revierclub, most recently holding the position of national coach of Turkey.
Letsch took over VfL in September 2022 in last place in the table. The 55-year-old managed to stay in the league with Bochum last season and was then celebrated in the Ruhr Stadium.