After separation despite relegation
Delivered trainer complains against the traditional club
11.06.2025 – 4:26 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Despite the strong second half of the season, third division team VfL Osnabrück released his coach Marco Antwerp after the end of the season. On the other hand, the 53-year-old and his assistant coach are now defending themselves legally.
The surprising relegation in the 3rd league did not bring a sporty happy ending for Marco Antwerpen and Frank Döpper. Now the coaching duo is legally proceeding against its former VfL Osnabrück association.
As the “kicker” reports, both Marco Antwerp and his assistant Frank Döpper have submitted an action for dismissal protection. The case could land before the labor court.
Antwerp had taken over VfL Osnabrück in mid -December. Döpper followed in January a few weeks later. At that time, the club was in the last place in the table in the 3rd division. Under her direction, Osnabrück won eleven of the 22 games and finally finished the season in 14th place – a sporty comeback that was hardly considered possible in the meantime. Despite the successful second half of the season, the club separated from both coaches after the end of the season.
On May 30th, managing director Dr. Michael Welling The decision with a fundamental realignment: “In view of the events this season-starting with the catastrophic first half of the season, over two coaches, the separation from the managing director of Sport and other personnel changes in the license area, up to the sporting performance after relegation, the missed qualification for the DFB Cup and the overall development in the past few weeks-it is clear that we are generally structural in the sports field and have to reorganize in terms of personnel. “
Welling also emphasized: “Especially in the light of the past few days and weeks, it is clear to us that we separate ourselves from head coach Marco Antwerpen and assistant coach Frank Döpper. After intensive discussions between the supervisory board representatives, advisory board and management, especially in the last few days, there is agreement.”
Advisory Board Chairman Holger Elixmann also commented on the step: “We were constantly involved in the assessment of the sporting situation and the current findings since winter and particularly intensely in the past few days.
While it became known on Wednesday that Osnabrück’s record player and ex-coach Joe Enochs returns to the purple and whites and takes over the newly created post of the football director, the successor of Antwerp has not yet been clarified.