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Going Separate Ways: Coach Jürgen Stratmann Reflects on His Time with BW Dingden and Future Plans
From the Kreisliga A to the pinnacle of the Niederrhein Football Association, the footballers of BW Dingden have certainly made an impressive journey in the past decade. But it wasn't always smooth sailing—take the 19/20 season, for instance, when relegation was a real possibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 22/23 season showed a similar pattern, finishing third despite the constant threat of relegation.
That was hardly the case in the first year under Jürgen Stratmann, who steered Dingden from Mumbecker Bach to just missing the promotion. Fast forward a year, and the blue-whites were celebrating the biggest success of their football department. We catch up with Coach Stratmann, who had already decided to leave the club by the fall of 2024.
Mr. Stratmann, how are you feeling now that your time with Dingden has come to an end?
Truth be told, the emotional distancing hasn't quite set in yet. The season is still fresh, and I'm still tied up with post-season matters. But there's definitely a sense of relief knowing I won't have to plan for another season prep.
What's next on your agenda, Coach?
I'm planning on spending plenty of time with my family and catching up with friends more often—something that's been a bit tricky with the demands of coaching. Beyond that, I'll be more focused on my own fitness, with tennis, running, and gym workouts on the horizon.
We know you've been meticulous about reviewing stats throughout your career. Can you share some highlights from the past season?
Absolutely! We had 123 training sessions, played a total of 56 games (including friendlies and the city championship), and managed an impressive average of 2.27 points per game. Training attendance was astounding, with six players boasting over 90% participation. One player even attended 121 sessions, and another 120. I used to award the most diligent player, but…what's the point now?
Teamwork and unity were among the key factors to your success, wouldn't you agree?
Indeed! Our football team was an extraordinary group, reaping the benefits of years of hard work. We improved tactically and physically, always finding that extra push when needed.
Winter saw two players leave the club, as well as some injuries. At that time, you expressed concerns about the squad's depth. Looking back now, do you feel those worries were warranted?
Well, I wouldn't say the squad was deep as a well, but we were blessed with a bit of luck. I only had five players on the bench, and we relied on some players stepping up when others were unavailable. It could have been a different story.
The turning point in the season came after a dramatic 1:0 win over Mintard. How did you feel at that moment?
First and foremost, I'm a practical man. I never let emotions cloud my judgment. I felt it was possible after our win against Mintard, but I remained cautious about voicing my thoughts publicly. We had an emotional team gathering afterward.
And when did you know for certain that Dingden would secure the promotion?
Truth be told, I've seen many twists and turns in football, so I tried to stay focused. But in Überruhr, I could sense the energy in the team—we led 3:0 at halftime, and I felt pretty confident we wouldn't let things slip.
Coaching isn't a one-man job. How would you describe your collaborative relationship with your coaching staff?
The collaboration with Steffen Schluse, our co-trainer, was exceptional. We discussed many aspects and influenced each other positively. The same goes for Thorsten Albustin, the caretakers, and the physiotherapists. We had a fantastic environment.
With your time at Dingden now concluded, when can we expect to see you back on the sidelines?
I've taken a well-deserved break after years of coaching, but I'll certainly look for a new challenge eventually. I'll only accept a new position if I can wholeheartedly identify with it. For now, I'll watch games as a neutral observer and visit other clubs to gain new perspectives.
As of now, there is no specific information available regarding Jürgen Stratmann's future coaching plans or potential return to management. If you are looking for insights into a different individual, please clarify the name or provide additional context. If Stratmann is associated with sports or coaching, further research may be necessary to find relevant information. However, based on the available findings, there is no mention of his plans or activities related to coaching or management.
Despite stepping down from BW Dingden, Coach Jürgen Stratmann continues to show an interest in sports, particularly football. In the future, he might consider returning to coaching or management, but for the time being, he is taking some time off to focus on his personal life and fitness, as well as exploring new perspectives in the world of sports.
