Before the derby
Master coach Heiko Vogel is moving to the 2nd Bundesliga
12/01/2025 – 7:21 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
There will be a Frankenderby in the 2nd Bundesliga this weekend. It is now clear: there will be a new coach at the Nuremberg game against Fürth.
The sporting decline has consequences: SpVgg Greuther Fürth is parting ways with head coach Thomas Kleine. His assistants Milorad Pekovic and Marco Konrad were also released. As the club announced, Heiko Vogel will take over the position of head coach.
Fürth is currently in a relegation zone with 13 points from 14 games – only the bottom of the table is still behind the Franconians. The “Nürnberger Nachrichten” first reported on the decision.
Kleine took over the team on an interim basis in May and led them to stay in the league in the previous season. His contract was subsequently extended. “Now we are in a tricky situation again, but I had the utmost confidence that we would have made it together again this time,” said Kleine. “Accordingly, I am of course very disappointed and would have liked to continue on this path.”
Kleine was actually hoping for the chance to supervise the upcoming derby against 1. FC Nürnberg. The duel will take place on Sunday at the “Club” – and will now be a premiere for the new coach. Vogel announced: “We have a special game coming up this weekend and will prepare for it meticulously.”
Vogel is bringing his own coaching team with him: Danny Schwarz and Aleksandro Petrovic will support him on the sidelines in the future. The new head coach signed a contract in Fürth until the summer of 2027.
Sports director Stephan Fürstner explained: “Heiko brings a lot of experience, both in the professional field and in working with talent. We are convinced that he, together with his coaching team, can provide the team with structure and also promote the development of each individual.” In fact, Heiko Vogel first won the championship with FC Basel in 2012, then the cup. He also played with the Swiss in the Champions League.
With the change, those responsible are reacting to the recent weak balance sheet. Fürth suffered a 3-0 defeat against VfL Bochum – their sixth defeat in the last seven games. With 37 goals conceded, the game association currently has the weakest defense in the league.