“Sometimes things just turn out differently”
Stefan Leitl comments after being kicked out at 96
December 30, 2024 – 5:45 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Stefan Leitl is leaving Hannover 96. The ex-coach now commented on his time at the club on Instagram.
After two and a half years it’s over: Stefan Leitl is no longer the coach of second division soccer team Hannover 96. The club announced this on Sunday. For Leitl, working at 96 was a “great honor,” he is quoted in a press release. On Monday afternoon, the ex-coach commented again on Instagram about his time at 96.
There he posted a picture in which the team can be seen arm in arm during a coach’s speech. In the text, Leitl thanks the fans for their support and trust. “Of course there is also disappointment and frustration that we can no longer finish this season together,” he writes. He would have liked to tackle the big common goal – promotion – again. “But sometimes things turn out differently.”
The 41-year-old looks back on his time at 96 with pride. “We have developed together and have been together through ups and downs.” He then addressed his words directly to the players he coached until recently: “I just wish you the very best for the coming weeks. I believe in you!” His text ends with the words “Do well and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”
Many fans thank the ex-coach under the post. Including regional president Steffen Krach. “Thank you very much for 2.5 years of commitment and passion for our Reds! Good luck for the future,” he writes.
“You were a really good coach! In my opinion you definitely deserved the time until summer,” writes another fan. Another comments: “You have formed a team here from a team in the insignificance of the 2nd Bundesliga , which is back at the top of the 2nd Bundesliga. You were honestly one of the best coaches in Hanover for a long time.”
Leitl coached the team for two and a half years. After the first half of the season, Hannover 96 is in seventh place in the table – two points behind a direct promotion spot. However, the club management no longer trusted Leitl to return to the Bundesliga as desired.