TSG Hoffenheim loses with a bang to VfL Bochum. The first half in particular is catastrophic from the point of view of the Kraichgauer. There were no clear statements about the future of coach André Breitenreiter afterwards. The coach receives support from the team.
André Breitenreiter was really angry. “I can’t accept what I saw today in any way. It has nothing to do with professional football,” said the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim coach after his team’s 2-5 debacle at VfL Bochum. “I’m definitely not going to put up with that anymore.” However, it is more open than ever whether he will be allowed to continue training his team himself and also look after them in the next game. After the tenth winless competitive game in a row, the pressure on Breitenreiter and the club management is huge.
“The fact is in any case: something has to happen,” said the 49-year-old. At least the public did not find out what that is on Saturday evening. Sports director Alexander Rosen avoided a clear commitment to the coach. However, he did not criticize him explicitly. “I’m saying it’s an issue of questioning and discussing everything,” Rosen said when asked if a breakup was an issue for the coming days. “You will never get absolute answers from me, and certainly not after a game,” said the 43-year-old.
The ten games without a win “give us all no arguments. I say consciously: all of us,” said Rosen. Last season, his team under coach Sebastian Hoeneß had a comparable phase. “There’s no fundamental question of quality. There’s also no question of whether the coach can do his job,” explained Rosen. “Maybe we need to ask bigger questions.” He also took responsibility for himself. Captain Oliver Baumann defended Breitenreiter. “Of course he’s the poorest sow right now because he addresses everything and tries everything,” said the goalkeeper about the 49-year-old. “We don’t need to talk about him at all. It’s about us. We have to put what he tells us on the pitch.” But of course people still talk about width riders.
Hoffenheim played disastrously in Bochum, especially in the first half. “Eleven total failures against a team with heart and passion” – this is how Breitenreiter summed it up in the media room of the Ruhr Stadium. “We didn’t resist at all.” Such statements from a highly talented team are cause for concern, especially since TSG is now in the middle of a relegation battle. Bochum drew level with Hoffenheim on points. Five points separate both clubs from a direct relegation zone.
Nevertheless, the mood could hardly be more different. While the strong Bochum team celebrated their fifth home win in a row and are looking forward to the cup derby against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, the trend in the Breitenreiter team is clearly pointing downwards. He understands that in such a situation his job is also discussed, said the coach. He’s not a person who makes excuses. “It’s not about me at all. It’s all about turning things around.”
