3rd Bundesliga: TSV 1860 Munich Faces a Tough Final Stretch
The plight of TSV 1860 Munich in the 3rd Bundesliga is far from rosy. After Frank Schmöller's rocky start as interim coach following Maurizio Jacobacci's suspension, the "Lions" find themselves in deep crisis. With the last 3rd Football League match looming on Wednesday against direct relegation rival SV Waldhof Mannheim, the outlook for Schmöller and the team is grim.
"I've had numerous conversations with the lads. We ceased to be a team on the field; the guys stopped talking to each other," Schmöller acknowledged after the 2-0 defeat against Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday. "We've tried to encourage more dialogue among the players again. I'll give it my all, whether I have a coaching license or not."
Schmöller serves as a placeholder until a permanent coach is found, but his tenure has been marked by frustration. "I can't seem to figure out how to improve our goal scoring. Things are challenging at the moment," he admitted, almost despairingly.
The goals for Arminia Bielefeld came courtesy of Merveille Biankadi in the 12th minute and Fabian Klos in the 24th, capitalizing on a defensive error by captain Jesper Verlaat. The visitors pressed harder after Maximilian Großer received a red card for an emergency stop on Morris Schröter (64'), but 1860 Munich failed to capitalize.
"The team reacted after the unfortunate setback, even if we seem doomed once again," managing director Marc-Nicolai Pfeifer acknowledged, who will step down in the summer at the latest. Pfeifer's preferred successor, Christian Werner, a former scout at SV Waldhof Mannheim, has yet to be officially confirmed by the club.
The delay in confirming Werner has made it difficult to make plans for a new coach, with the sporting director set to be appointed first. "In the summer, we presented our recommendations for the sporting director role to the committees, and nothing has changed since," Pfeifer explained to MagentaSport. "Christian Werner remains my top recommendation. Only then can we discuss the coach."
As Christmas approaches, the "Lions" will once again endure restless nights, with only a three-point cushion against relegation. "Christmas is a peaceful time. Perhaps we can find common ground and reach a decision based on that," Pfeifer suggested.
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Additional Insights
TSV 1860 Munich has a history of financial troubles, which have often led to relegation issues. This past season, the club was mired in a relegation fight, eventually finishing in 17th place, just three points above the drop zone.
Schmöller's predecessor, Jacobacci, faced similar difficulties, managing TSV 1860 Munich to a 16th-place finish in his tenure. The team has struggled to maintain consistency and stability, with management and coaching changes being frequent.
Despite their recent struggles, TSV 1860 Munich has a storied history in German football, boasting a wide fanbase and numerous notable players. The team will be looking to turn its fortunes around and secure a place in the 3rd Bundesliga for the 2023-2024 season.
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