Bundesliga Comment

Comment: Hoffenheim back to the roots

1899 Hoffenheim is with Julian Nagelsmann in the relegation battle. With the youngest Bundesliga coach of all times. This is the right way, commented DW’s editor Tobias Oelmaier.

One likes to 1899 Hoffenheim what you want: How the TSG once the district League in the national League stormed, was unique and admirable. Because it was not only the millions of patron Dietmar Hopp, the club from a backwater in the Kraichgau to the top brought. It was a concept: With young people, perfectly educated, and hungry. With coaches who had a Vision, long-term thought and Established within it: Hansi Flick, later, Co-Trainer at the DFB or Ralf Rangnick made one of the super brains of the Guild. And with smart buying Stars with perspective.

DW-sports editor Tobias Oelmaier

The sale of such brought at the time of the rupture: It was in the winter break 2010/11, as the person responsible in Hoffenheim the Recruit of FC Bayern gave in and the Brazilian Luiz Gustavo to Munich pull left. From disappointment and emerging dissonances with Hopp threw Rangnick made easy. And with the TSG, it was now more downhill. Had Rangnick made four and a half years on the bench sat the gifts from the Trainer in ever-shorter intervals, the Jack in the Hand. Marco Pezzaiuoli, Holger Stanislawski, Markus Babbel, Frank Kramer, Marco Kurz, Markus Gisdol and finally Huub Stevens. What was missing was an outward visible clear line. Players that simply did not work or fit, came and went. The tip of the iceberg: goalkeeper Tim Wiese.

Not a typical Saviour

So now Stevens is due to health reasons, unexpectedly threw in the towel, you would have of the athletic leadership, the knee-jerk call for the Neururers this world can expect at the descent to prevent. Instead, since Friday Julian Nagelsmann the Labs. With 28 years he is the youngest coach in the Bundesliga history. Younger than some of his players. Even without any experience as a professional. Career with 20. The soccer coach-training not yet completed.

In Hoffenheim, where Nagelsmann since 2008 as a youth coach is working, keep large pieces on him. Wanted him anyway in the next season of responsibility. But him immediately into cold water to throw, no time, to familiarize themselves, in the Kaderzusammensetzung bring brave. Or maybe just a step back to the roots.

The debut could have been worse: With Julian Nagelsmann on the Bank took 1899 Hoffenheim after two defeats in a row, an important point when direct rivals Werder Bremen. Even if it is not should work with the League – then you would at least finally back to a, with a long-term project is possible. Because Hoffenheim was strong as it went its own way, and weak, as it was what everyone did.