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The 1. FC Kaiserslautern coach Markus Begin was released four game days before the end of the season. Ex-FCK professional Torsten Lieberknecht takes over. The opinion of SWR sports editor Stefan Kersthold.
What spontaneously after the Separation from Markus Beginner and his coach Florian Junge came to mind – and that in my long -standing sports journalist career really not for the first time: football is a dirty business. And so I was not particularly surprised that those responsible for the FCK once again chose an “coaching exemption”, according to the association, according to the association.
2022: Antwerp went, Schuster came shortly before the relegation
Almost three years ago, Marco Antwerp had to go to Dynamo Dresden before the two decisive relegation games. Now, four game days before the end of the season, Markus Beginning was released from his tasks. At that time, Antwerp successor Dirk Schuster made the promotion to the 2nd league, So now Torsten Lieberknecht should be directed.
The mission of ex-FCK professionals towards the Bundesliga appears much more difficult. Even though the Palatinate native has already managed this in the past with Eintracht Braunschweig and Darmstadt 98, the starting point with the red devils is completely different after three defeats in series. Although the distance to relegation place is three points, a few competitors would have to be overtaken on the way there from the current seventh place.
Why the change of coach at this time?
Will that work with Torsten Lieberknecht? I have my doubts, although I have highly appreciated his work in the past and he will probably quickly familiarize himself with the Betzenberg. But why then this change of coach at this time?
On the one hand, I can understand the official justification of the FCK. It was said that the team had not fully exhausted their potential recently and had not reached their maximum performance. And that after an in -depth analysis, those responsible lack the conviction of counteracting this trend in the current personnel constellation. You can go along with the most recent services. However, it should also be noted here that the official goal of a quiet season was achieved by the fired team of coaches without relegation.
I can also imagine – which remains a speculation – that with the current decision, investors also put pressure on managing director Thomas Hengen and sports director Marcel Klos. Only the promotion counts for the donors. On the other hand, I also miss a certain continuity on Betzenberg. Torsten Lieberknecht is already the sixth coach that Thomas Hengen has signed since taking office in March 2021. But it seems to be more common – in the business with football …
Broadcast on Wed., 23.4.2025 4:00 p.m., SWR Aktuell Rhineland-Palatinate, SWR RP
