Accusations of a grave nature levied by parents against NLZ from SpVgg Unterhaching
In a recent open letter to the presidency of SpVgg Unterhaching, the parents of several youth players have raised concerns about the conditions and management of the club's NLZ (youth academy). The letter, signed by at least eight parents, highlights several areas for improvement, including facilities, coaching support, communication, financial investment, long-term vision, and player welfare.
The parents have expressed their appreciation for the club's commitment and the work of many trainers and those responsible in the youth sector. However, they have also voiced their concerns about the questionable moral handling of players who must leave the NLZ, which they deem incompatible with the claims of a DFB-funded performance center.
One of the main issues raised is the lack of adequate facilities. The parents highlight insufficient and poor-quality training grounds and infrastructure for youth teams, which they believe hampers player development. They also criticise the club for the shortage of qualified coaches and inadequate training programs, fearing it affects the youth players’ growth and enjoyment.
The letter also demands increased financial commitment towards the youth program to ensure proper resources, equipment, and staff are available. The parents seek a strategic, long-term vision from the club for sustainable youth development rather than short-term fixes. They emphasise prioritising the holistic development and well-being of young players over purely competitive results.
In addition, the parents have criticised the club’s leadership for a lack of clear communication about the youth sector’s policies, progress, and future plans. They have also raised concerns about the timing of squad decisions, which they believe is often too late, giving players little opportunity to find a new club or orient themselves sportingly. Meetings regarding squad decisions are sometimes held on the training pitch without a protected or valuing framework.
The letter also points out that there is often no qualified medical care present at home games, especially for the U17 and U19 Bundesliga teams. Furthermore, the training pitches on Sternstraße, where most youth teams train, lack basic prerequisites for regular and dignified training operations, such as changing rooms, toilets, and showers.
The DFB has provided over 1.06 million EUR in funding to SpVgg Unterhaching for the last two seasons, raising questions about how funding and financial priorities in the youth sector are handled. The parents urge the club to openly examine these issues, reflect on them, and take concrete action to improve the situation.
SpVgg Unterhaching acknowledges the parents' accusations and is investigating the matter internally. The club has promised a detailed statement shortly. The parents expect a club pursuing high sporting ambitions in the youth sector to also set human standards, based on trust, values, and empathy. They appeal for the club to work towards meeting the standards of a modern youth performance center, in the interest of the young people, families, sporting development, and the club's reputation.
The parents, while appreciating the club's dedication to various trainers and those in the youth sector, have voiced their disapproval of the handling of players leaving the NLZ, deeming it incompatible with standards expected of a DFB-funded performance center. They also have concerns about insufficient facilities, lack of qualified coaches, and inadequate training programs for the youth players, claiming these factors negatively impact their growth and enjoyment of sports, particularly football.
