VfL Bochum says goodbye to Mainz from the Bundesliga after the 1: 4 defeat against Mainz-and is overwhelmed by the consolation of its own fans.
Dieter Hecking has experienced a lot in the coaching business in 25 years. But actually not a descent – until this Saturday. The fact that he has to go down with VfL Bochum, the club that is closest to his home town of Castrop-Rauxel, made it more difficult for Hecking.
The coach, who was committed as a savior in November, spoke visibly touched after the 1: 4 defeat against Mainz and the Bundesliga descent, which has been set over the stadium microphone, the Bochum fans. “Unfortunately we didn’t solve it, I apologize to you.”
The fans celebrated their team despite the relegation and said goodbye with a lot of applause, Hecking gratefully accepted this: “In front of you, I bow to the whole audience in the stadium – Chapeau.”
Kramer, Andreas, Sportschau, 10.05.2025 6:18 p.m.
At the sports show microphone, he renewed his commitment to help shape the rebuild in the 2nd league. “It’s about finding the right mix, player types that also give back to this stadium,” said Hecking. “If you felt this in the stadium today after the final whistle, you can make a difference here.”
VfL captain Losilla: “Incredible, so much love from the fans”
The fans had already celebrated their team in the final minutes when the inevitable was long ago. “Madness, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said captain Anthony Losilla, who has been in Bochum since 2014 and was said goodbye before the game like Cristian Gamboa. “It is incredible, so much love from the fans. We didn’t manage to experience such moments as a VfL player is just fantastic.”
Kramer, Andreas, Sportschau, 10.05.2025 6:56 p.m.
The descent had indicated the development in the past few weeks. VfL already seemed cut off in the first half of the season, after seven games the district club was only one point at the end of the table. Coach Peter Zeidler’s obligation turned out to be a great misunderstanding early on. After less than four months in Bochum, the 62-year-old ended again.
Hecking goes into the 2nd league with Bochum
After a transition period with interim coach Markus Feldhoff, Hecking took over. The experienced trainer stabilized VfL and even even raised hope of staying class. A victory against BVB followed the sensational 3-2 victory at Bayern Munich at the beginning of March, however, five defeats and two draws followed, VfL no longer won a game. “We were in pole position and we gave them out of our hands,” Hecking – also self -critically – found.
In the coming season, Hecking can lead the Bochumer back to the upper house, and the support of the fans should not be missing in the 2nd league. The Mainz coach Bo Henriksen was also impressed. “I’ve never seen it. This is absolutely world class,” said Henriksen and added: “This is football. This is heart.”