The Bundesliga is getting closer and closer to the decisive phase. While there are signs of a duel between FC Bayern and BVB at the top, there are five teams in acute danger of relegation: Hertha BSC, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, VfB Stuttgart, FC Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum.
Friedhelm Funkel is someone who knows his way around the bottom of the table in the Bundesliga. The now 69-year-old, who last saved 1. FC Köln from relegation in the summer of 2021, rose a total of six times from the second division to the top flight and was often in the basement with his teams for a long time.
On “Sky”, Funkel now gave his assessment of who has to go to the lower house at the end of the season, who can save themselves in the relegation and who can look forward to at least another year in the Bundesliga with places 14 and 15.
Funkel believes in the rescue of the former club
“I think Hertha BSC will still manage to finish 14th. Also in terms of the rest of the program. TSG Hoffenheim will end up 15th,” said Funkel.
The native of Neuss sees VfB Stuttgart on the relegation pitch. For the Swabians it would be the second appearance in the relegation after 2018/19. At that time, the 2007 champions went down on the away goals rule after a 2-2 win and a 0-0 win against Union Berlin.
Funkel sees no hope for Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum. He blames the team’s tight schedule for the relegation of the Royal Blues: “To play against five teams from the ‘top six’ is a tough task.”
Funkel praises Schalke 04’s decision
In Funkel’s opinion, VfL Bochum will be the last to arrive. There he sees the danger that “one or the other will fall apart”.
Above all, the two Revier clubs still have time to convince him of the opposite, explained Funkel, who praised the miners for the fact that they announced early on that they wanted to keep coach Thomas Reis even if they were relegated.