Sizing Up Holstein Kiel's 2. Bundesliga Challenge: A Look Beyond the Muscles
"Captain Schwenke of Kiel remarks: 'Don't they possess the significant muscle mass?'" - "Schwenke, Kiel's Leader, Comments: "Those Without Ample Muscle Mass...""
Wolfgang Schwenke, Holstein Kiel's managing director, acknowledges that the team won't be a heavyweight in the 2. Bundesliga after their demotion from the Bundesliga. He explained, "We're not the ones with the big muscles; we'll always be a bit of the underdog because other clubs have significantly more financial resources than us," to the "Kieler Nachrichten."
Despite the financial bonanza ahead from the Bundesliga season, Holstein is bracing for financial strain in the upcoming 2. Bundesliga season. The club anticipates a reduction in TV revenues, with an expected drop from over 30 million to approximately 18 million euros. However, the promotion has seen an increase in the number of members, from 4,000 to over 11,000, and sponsors, from 450 to around 530.
Schwenke is optimistic about the club's fiscal prospects, saying, "We haven't finished the year yet, but I can already say that we'll end with a significant surplus. The final months are still to be accounted for, but with the promotion, we'll achieve a turnover of over 60 million euros, which is a magnitude the club hasn't reached before."
The veteran executive, a former handball professional of THW Kiel, cautions against complacency, highlighting the cut-throat nature of the 2. Bundesliga. "Some people believe that we have the means and will immediately promote again next year. But we'll face a strong 2. Bundesliga. And I can only warn. The past has shown that as a Bundesliga relegated team, one must take the 2. Bundesliga very seriously to be able to hold one's own and not to get caught in a downward spiral," he added.
As for Holstein's preparations for the upcoming season, the club has secured multi-year partnerships, providing a safety net amid the relegation fallout. Schwenke commented, "With this foresight, we had the security that we wouldn't experience a financial landslide with the now-occurred relegation."
However, Schwenke acknowledges the daunting task ahead for Holstein Kiel, with stiff competition from established 2. Bundesliga outfits like Hamburg, Darmstadt, and Heidenheim. The team faces a host of challenges, including financial constraints, player retention and recruitment worries, and the need to adapt to the different dynamics of the 2. Bundesliga.
Maintaining morale and positive team spirit will be crucial for Holstein Kiel, as they look to navigate these challenges and potentially aim for promotion back to the top tier. And as Schwenke notes, "The past has shown that as a Bundesliga relegated team, one must take the 2. Bundesliga very seriously to be able to hold one’s own and not to get caught in a downward spiral."
In Others' Words:
For the 2022-2023 season, Holstein Kiel faced several challenges following their relegation from the Bundesliga to the 2. Bundesliga. This included financial constraints due to reduced revenue and the need to cut their budget, recruitment challenges due to the loss of key players and the difficulty of attracting quality players to a second-tier team, the competition level with strong ambitions from fellow 2. Bundesliga teams, and the need to adapt quickly to the league's different dynamics. Additionally, the psychological impact of relegation on players and staff could affect motivation and team morale. Overall, Holstein Kiel would need to manage these challenges effectively to remain competitive in the 2. Bundesliga and potentially aim for promotion back to the top tier.
The Commission, amidst Holstein Kiel's football challenges, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. Despite the club's optimism about maintaining a significant surplus, the upcoming 2. Bundesliga season may present a downward spiral if they fail to take it seriously, as historical data indicates.
