Record sales since 2016 Wagner
Second division leader SV Darmstadt 98 wants to generate more money from player sales in the future. “We don’t need to talk about it at all: We will have to deal with the subject of transfers even more. In the recent past, we have been very spoiled in Darmstadt when it comes to leaving,” said club president Rüdiger Fritsch in the “kicker” interview. “We’ve spent a little more money on players over the past few years than we’ve earned. But it’s not a strategy, either in normal life or in professional football, to spend more than you earn in the long run.”
Fritsch referred to first division clubs such as 1. FSV Mainz 05 or SC Freiburg, which had built up a transfer system over decades in which they sold players at a profit. “If we don’t do that, we won’t stand a chance in the long run. Our fans have to prepare for the fact that players they have come to love will leave the club one day,” emphasized the 61-year-old. When asked whether the “Lilien” fans had to prepare for departures in the summer, Fritsch said: “It’s still much too early for that. In any case, we haven’t had an offer for anyone yet.”
Duo led by Reis: Most valuable players in the 2nd Bundesliga
Darmstadt was last promoted to the upper house in 2015, but had to return to the second division after two years. During this time, the “Lilien” collected millions in fees for Sandro Wagner (2.8 million at Hoffenheim), Michael Esser (2 million at Hanover) and Slobodan Rajkovic (1.5 million at Palermo). The most expensive departure in the recent past was Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who went to Hamburger SV in 2019 for 1.3 million euros. Patric Pfeiffer, currently the most valuable Darmstadt professional (market value 3 million), is threatened with a free transfer in the summer, since the central defender’s contract will then expire. Other top performers in the younger to middle-aged segment such as Phillip Tietz (2024), Matthias Bader (2025), Braydon Manu (2024) or Marvin Mehlem (2025), for whom higher fees seem realistic, have been tied down for even longer.
The Hessians are currently leading the table with two points ahead of HSV and three ahead of 1. FC Heidenheim. The stadium at Böllenfalltor, which has since been renovated, only holds 17,800 spectators. “Moving up means an increase in revenue at all levels. Media revenues, which account for the largest share, roughly triple. At around 12 million euros, that would be around 36 million euros. But of course the expenses are also increasing,” explained Fritsch.
The Kicker interview left me with question marks… so we need transfer proceeds… players we’ve grown fond of will go… aha… will it be the same if we’re promoted? I see differently.
And translated that also means for me that nobody comes anymore who costs what in the WP. I think it’s wrong: You should do everything within the scope of the possibilities that we get promoted and take advantage of this perhaps unique starting position.
I don’t like this small talk. Sorry El Presidente ..by all means…
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