According to “Bild”, VfL Bochum has decided to opt for a provisional solution until the end of the season after parting ways with coach Thomas Letsch. The previous under-19 coach, Heiko Butscher, will be responsible for the remaining six matches and will lead training this Tuesday at 10:30 am. He will be supported by assistant coaches Markus Gellhaus and Frank Heinemann. Butscher already helped as interim coach of the pros in 2018, 2019 and, most recently, 2022.
The relegation-threatened Bundesliga club from the Ruhr region announced the departure of coach Letsch on Monday. There had been a worrying negative trend at VfL lately: the club seemed to be on the back of a 3-2 win against FC Bayern In fact, Munich was saved on matchday 22. In mid-February, the lead over the relegation place was a comfortable nine points: Bochum was closer to the international classification than to second place. Bundesliga. However, a series with just one point from six games meant that concerns increased week after week.
Four points ahead of the direct relegation zone
VfL are currently three points ahead of 16th place and four points ahead of the direct relegation zone. The next opponent on Saturday will be 1. FC Heidenheim, who also defeated FC Bayern Munich last weekend.
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 was coach of the Revierclub and recently held the position of national coach. from Türkiye.
Letsch took over at VfL in September 2022 at the bottom of the table. The 55-year-old managed to stay in the league with Bochum last season and was then celebrated at the Ruhr Stadium.