analysis
Urs Fischer is supposed to save 1. FSV Mainz 05 from relegation to the 2nd league. The Swiss coach starts his new job with a lot of optimism.
Urs Fischer faces a Herculean task with 1. FSV Mainz 05, but he is tackling it with a broad chest and a lot of experience. “It’s a relegation battle. If you’re six points behind, then of course you have to catch up first,” said the new Rheinhessen coach at his introductory press conference on Monday (December 8th).
“There are no easy situations in football”
“Mainz 05 knows these situations. We have to stay awake, we have to do our jobs,” Fischer said. “In my opinion, there are no easy situations in football. You have to accept them as they are.”
Urs Fischer calls for the virtues of 1. FSV Mainz 05
The 59-year-old made it clear what he expects from his players in the fight to stay in the league. “It’s important for us to get the basics right,” demanded Fischer. “We want to show again the things that Mainz football is known for. Be tireless, tough in duels, defend compactly.”
“Then I can be disgusting too”
Fischer sees himself on his mission as a kind of alternative to his predecessor Bo Henriksen. “I’m not a volcano, I won’t be like Bo. That’s not me, then I would have to play something. And it’s important that you stay authentic as a coach,” said the Swiss: “I’m down-to-earth, authentic, a bit pragmatic. If I demand something, I do it consistently. Then I can also be disgusting.”
Christian Heidel: “Need contrast and a different approach”
In this regard, sports director Christian Heidel once again emphasized that they were at the bottom of the Bundesliga a completely different coaching style have been looking for. “Bo is a very special guy, very extroverted,” said the 62-year-old: “If we had brought a similar guy to Mainz, it wouldn’t have been good. We need a contrast and a different approach. Anyone who is as similar to Bo would have had a hard time matching him in that sense.”
Fischer announced that he didn’t want to turn everything upside down compared to his predecessor. In the current situation, changes can only be made “very carefully”; a system change to a back four is therefore not an issue for the time being. The 05 coach explained that he didn’t want to “overload the team with information. It’s about taking small steps and introducing little things first.” “It’s important that the boys have something to hold on to.” Above all, he wants to get “the simple things”, the so-called “basics”, onto the pitch.
The veterans in the squad should help him, Fischer continued: “It is clear that the experienced players have to lead the way. But even in this situation, young and hungry players can make their mark.”
Urs Fischer is supposed to save 1. FSV Mainz 05
Mainz 05 are bottom of the Bundesliga table after 13 matchdays. On Wednesday (December 3rd) the club parted ways with Coach Henriksent. In the home game on Friday evening (December 5th) against Borussia Mönchengladbach (0:1). U23 coach Benjamin Hoffmann coached the team for a gameshe could but also not prevent the next defeat.
Now Fischer, whose contract runs until 2028, should take care of it. And he is optimistic: “There are still 21 games and a lot of points to be distributed.”
Broadcast on Monday, December 8th, 2025, 4:00 p.m., The Day in Rhineland-Palatinate, SWR1 Rhineland-Palatinate
Broadcast on Monday, December 8, 2025, 5:53 p.m., swr.de/sport: SWR sports editor Achim Scheu talks about Urs Fischer in SWR1 RP
