Wuppertal once surprised the Bundesliga and even played in the European Cup. But that was a long time ago. There is currently sadness – and the total sporting crash threatens.
The really good times in the stadium at the zoo are long ago. Between 1972 and 1975 the Wuppertaler SV played here in the Bundesliga, even took part in the UEFA Cup. This separates worlds from the traditional club from the Bergisches Land in March 2025.
At the WSV, fear rules – before falling into sporting insignificance. With eight outstanding games, the club ranks on 17th place in the Regionalliga West. Only Turkspor Dortmund is worse, which withdrew from the game a week ago and has already been forced.
“We showed a really good performance for 70 minutes. After that, it was more and more noticed that the head in the relegation battle plays a major role,” said manager Gaetano Manno in the “Kicker” the 2-2 against SV Rödinghausen last weekend. The WSV was 2-0 in front shortly after half -time and had everything under control – but then it came, the fear of failure.
A misunderstanding between Benedikt Wimmer and goalkeeper Michael Luyambula led to a penalty, which the previously almost completely chanceless SVR converted and so unexpectedly sensed morning lust. With a well -known outcome. “The tie feels like a defeat,” said Manno disappointed.
And that was not alone. Some of the approximately 1,500 spectators made their displeasure loudly after eight winless games. When the manager wanted to talk to them, “Manno-Raus-calls” resounded him.
And they symbolize the total mayor at the WSV. The club, launched as the last year’s press, actually wanted to play a lot further up. The demands in the 360,000-inhabitant city are high.
“Nobody in the club is satisfied. But nobody also wants to give up: on the contrary! We all want to get out of the basement together. I hope that the people who come to the stadium also support us. And the people who are currently not in the mood will hopefully come back in the future,” appealed coach Sebastian Tyrala in front of the Rödinghausen game.
The former Bundesliga player of Borussia Dortmund has recently formulated such motivational calls. Only: it brought little. In addition to the unrest due to the sporting situation, it also bubbles internal teams.
The experienced central defender Oktay Dal was surprisingly released a few days ago and then – according to “Reviersport” – even terminated without notice. While the manager does not comment on the cause, Dal goes on the offensive. “I am really disappointed with Gaetano Manno,” said the defensive specialist.
Dal also stated: “I know that Gaetano Manno gave me some chances at the WSV. For example, when I appeared in the summer of 2023 with an overweight of around ten kilos at the start. I then adhered to a strict diet plan and also decreased properly. The club was then repaid this support with proper performance.”
But that seems to be over. According to Dal, sports director Thomas Richter, Manno and Tyrala had read the Levites properly after the 0-1 against the second team of Schalke 04.