Fortunately, the stadium management at FSV Mainz 05 didn’t even come up with the idea of drowning out the impressions of a sobering Bundesliga game with any mood songs. As little came from the loudspeakers after the final whistle as there was from the fan block in the first twelve minutes after kick-off. So there was no shrill whistle concert, but audible displeasure after the unnecessary home defeat against 1. FC Heidenheim (0:1) spilled from the stands onto the pitch. As a warning sign for someone second to last in the table that things cannot continue like this in the new year.
The newcomer from the Swabian Ostalb, in the person of his institution Frank Schmidt, did not seem to know exactly how such a home-grown idea could be rewarded with the first three points in foreign first division areas. Meanwhile, Mainz interim coach Jan Siewert complained that it was “absurd that the ball didn’t go in”. He “brought every offensive player who was in the squad onto the pitch” – including debutants Marcus Müller and David Mamutovic from the second team he was in charge of at the start of the season.
“After all, you pay admission”: Sports director Schmidt hears from the fans what no one else hears
In a disastrous mix of injuries and bad luck, under his direction there have now been five winless and three goalless games in a row. And football progress is also evaporating with the emergency staffing. Siewert, 41, still insisted that his team would continue to fight “against all blows to the neck.” The U23 coach, who was promoted to the professionals “until further notice”, wanted to have heard applause from the stands in his circle on the pitch.
Sports director Martin Schmidt did not suffer from such serious perception disorders. “It’s their right that the fans become impatient,” said the Swiss: “After all, they pay the entrance fee.” For the 56-year-old, too, it was “hard to believe that we didn’t score a goal, given how dominantly we led the game.” For him, the lack of efficiency is a matter of his mind, because: “A team cannot leave more heart on the pitch like in the second half.”
Of course, it contained a good portion of pre-Christmas whitewashing, which the main protagonists did not indulge in. Striker Marco Richter on the Sky microphone: “Today is such a day that even I’m at a loss for words. We didn’t accept this relegation battle here, especially in the first half. Then we concede a slapstick goal.”
In fact, after a not-so-well-taken free kick from Heidenheim specialist Jan-Niklas Beste, the ball fell indirectly at the feet of Marvin Pieringer, whose shot slipped through the legs of Mainz goalkeeper Daniel Batz and bounced over the line from defender Phillipp Mwene (12. ). Captain Dominik Kohr also complained about the lack of body tension. You lose the game “because you slept through the first half and didn’t score a goal in the second half despite morale.” There was still a plea for Siewert’s continued employment (“I like working with Jan”), but the arguments became thinner.
The bosses could decide on Siewert’s future after the game in Dortmund
It is quite possible that board member Christian Heidel, the powerful boss at Bruchweg, will soon introduce a third football teacher for the rest of the season. Schmidt also let it slip that “maybe someone else” would have to solve the players’ blockages at some point. After the away game at Borussia Dortmund (Tuesday 8.30 p.m.) Siewert’s future will be discussed, explained Schmidt. He also no longer seems to be convinced that the homegrown player will go through the same career path as he once did: first reserve, then interim, then head coach at the 05ers.
Does the business trip to Dortmund change your perspective? “We have already shown that something is possible,” recalled the current coach of the 2-2 draw on May 27th, which was so momentous for the BVB community, when the Rheinhessen team, who were still coached by Bo Svensson, made an impact with their courageous performance black and yellow sea of tears. Their sporting spirit was often neglected in the analyzes of the crazy 2023 championship final. Kohr wants to resubmit the coup. His thesis – not that daring – before the last game of the year: “The pressure is on Dortmund.”