400th game
© Imago
In the event of success, the signs change: Energie Cottbus can also rely on Claus-Dieter Wollitz as a trainer beyond the summer. As the third-division second place announced on Friday evening, the 59-year-old will continue to be on the sidelines in addition to his responsibility in the sporting management in the personal union. Originally, the plan was that voutine Wollitz will only work as a sports director at Energie from 2025/26. In three terms, Wollitz in Cottbus comes to 399 games as a coach – top value in the history of the club ahead of Eduard Geyer (378 missions).
“Back then we talked about how to continue in the future and then promised the summer of 2025 as a transition to pure sporting director. The developments in the club were not yet foreseeable at the time and, above all, this is neither about me, nor about other people. It is crucial what the best for the team and the club is. We didn’t make it easy for ourselves, because of course we stand by things that we say. Nevertheless, we are all convinced that we want to continue our way in this constellation and in the spirit of FC Energie. I burn for this job, I burn for our club and that’s why we will continue as a closed unit in the coming season, ”said Wollitz.
President Sebastian Lemke said: “I make no secret of the fact that I am very happy that we will also go into the coming season with Pele, regardless of the league. This gives us planning security and creates clear conditions for all further steps that affect our personnel planning. It is good that we have now all made this decision together, which had already indicated the conversations in the past few weeks. In our perspective plan that Pele should lead the fortunes of our club as a sports director in the foreseeable future, however, this fact does not change. I would like to emphasize that. “
“Pele Wollitz has done outstanding work in recent years,” said long burner Filip Kusic (28) in the transfer market interview. Wollitz is “a charismatic coach who has a very good sensitivity for the development and support of players. In addition, he has enormous motivation skills and always tactically adjusts us to the next opponent. The special thing about him is that he always stands protectively in front of the team and embodies important values. For him, people come first. As a player, we can come to the trainer with every topic and communicate with him at eye level.