Second division leader SV Darmstadt 98 wants to generate even 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 issue of transfers even more. In Darmstadt, we have been very spoiled in the recent past when it comes to departures,” said club president Rüdiger Fritsch in the “kicker” interview.
“In recent years we’ve spent a little more money on players 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 term.”
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 have a chance in the long run. Our fans have to prepare for the fact that players they love will leave the club one day,” emphasized the 61-year-old.
When asked whether Lilien fans had to prepare for departures in the summer, Fritsch said: “It’s still much too early for that. At least we haven’t had an offer for anyone yet.”
Darmstadt was last promoted to the upper house in 2015, but had to return to the second division after two years. The club currently leads the table with two points ahead of Hamburger SV and three ahead of 1. FC Heidenheim. The stadium at Böllenfalltor, which has since been rebuilt, only holds 17,800 spectators.
“An advancement means an increase in revenue at all levels. The media revenue, which accounts for the largest share, has roughly tripled. At around twelve million euros, that would be around 36 million euros. But of course the expenses are also increasing,” explained Fritsch.