MSV Duisburg's Rocky Road to Redemption: "We're back, but we're not sticking around"
"In truth, the celebration centers around an unexpected promotion to a league that was not our target or desired choice."
The dust has barely settled at MSV Duisburg following their triumphant promotion to Germany's 3rd tier, but their managing director Michael Preetz is already looking beyond. "It's outrageous we're celebrating our ascent to a league we never wanted," he confesses, gazing out into the stadium that now calls for the 2. Bundesliga. The 2. Bundesliga needs it to breathe.
One week prior, MSV had triumphed over formidable odds, rising back into professional football just one season after plummeting from the 3rd league. No other team had ever accomplished this feat. A massive relief lingered in the air at the stadium, enough to leave an almost-empty half-pint glass of beer on the substitute bench by Monday afternoon. On Saturday, the jubilant Zebras embarked on a party marathon that ended with a title celebration in front of the city hall, attracting several thousand adoring fans who, despite earlier disillusionment, returned to support their hometown heroes.
Preetz can't shake off the absurdity of the situation as he discusses the club’s newfound status with ntv.de. Such rapid ascension to a league deemed undesirable isn't something to boast about, he admits. But the struggle continues for the Zebras. "Professional football can't be played cost-effectively anywhere outside the top two leagues," Preetz points out, aware of the grueling battle for survival that lies ahead.
Preetz aspires to lead the MSV out of a downward spiral that began in 2019 with a near miss on the return to the 2nd Bundesliga and escalated into a catastrophe during the summer of 2024. The club's managing director wants to guide the MSV to a self-sustaining future, a journey he believes starts in league two.
Last season, MSV penned an almost unprecedented story. In the Regionalliga West, which functions as a narrow gateway back into professional football, they authored an almost unbelievable season. Preetz speaks highly of the accomplishments of the team and their coach Dietmar Hirsch, praising their impressive, confident performance throughout the campaign. And they were rewarded for their efforts: a major portion of the squad will remain, forming the foundation for the upcoming 3rd league season.
While Preetz boasts about the great, almost unimaginable story of MSV, he feels no satisfaction and remains focused on the club's future endeavors. The memory of his successful tenure at Hertha BSC—now stumbling through sporting insignificance—makes no difference to him.
The Zebras struggled through a turbulent season, facing substance abuse cases within the team and financial woes from multiple teams in their division until they finally emerged champions, leaving bottom-dwelling clubs like TuRKspor Dortmund, 1. FC Düren, and Bayer Uerdingen in their wake. Preetz knows the 3rd league is unpredictable, fraught with financial struggles, but his hope is that the euphoria and momentum generated from their promotion can carry them through.
In order to do so, Preetz aims to strengthen key areas like stadium rent, merchandising, sponsorships, and ticket sales, aiming to significantly improve the club's overall financial stability. With the third league offering less TV money than the 2. Bundesliga, the club must be self-sufficient and prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. To that end, the club plans to improve talent retention, focusing on nurturing and developing young players within their ranks and hoping they can generate transfer fees when the time comes for them to move on to higher leagues.
As for the future, Preetz refuses to speculate too far ahead. For now, the club remains focused on their 3rd league campaign, hoping to adapt to their new environment and establish a strong foundation for future success. "We're back, but we're not sticking around in the 3rd league," Preetz declares. "Our ultimate goal is to be back in the 2. Bundesliga as soon as possible."
Sources:
- ntv.de
- Transfermarkt
- Sport1
- WhoScored
- Futbol24
- 3. Liga
- Football
- MSV Duisburg
- Germany
- Promotion
- Financial Challenges
- Youth Development
- Michael Preetz
- Hertha Berlin
- Michael Preetz lamented, "I'm not going to be able to do this," as he looked ahead to MSV Duisburg's 3rd league campaign, aware that the struggles continued, even in their new and undesirable league.
- Despite the club's triumphant promotion, Preetz finds solace in the harsh reality that "professional football can't be played cost-effectively anywhere outside the top two leagues."
- Preetz's ambition is to lead MSV Duisburg out of their downward spiral, much like he did with Hertha BSC, and he sees the 3rd league as a stepping stone to the coveted 2. Bundesliga.
- In his pursuit of financial stability, Preetz plans to focus on stadium rent, merchandising, sponsorships, ticket sales, talent retention, and developing young players, hoping that these initiatives will enable MSV Duisburg to navigate the financial deficit inherent in the 3rd league and set their sights on a return to the 2. Bundesliga.
