Hansa Rostock's Sport Director Shapourzadeh: "3. Liga is a Perilous Battlefield"
Sporting Director Shapourzadeh deems 3rd League too risky - Sports director of Hansa expresses concerns: "Third League poses excessive risks"
Rostock's Sport Chief, Amir Shapourzadeh, shuns lofty proclamations for the new season. "I ain't hollerin' no empty promises, mate. The 3. Liga's a bloody minefield," he told the "Ostsee Zeitung". The 42-year-old joined FC Hansa last year post-relegation from the 2. Bundesliga. After firing coach Bernd Hollerbach, he brought in Daniel Brinkmann, who came close to promotion spots. In the end, they settled for fifth place.
Focus on team progression
The next campaign won't be a walk in the park, despite Dynamo Dresden and Arminia Bielefeld's promotion, according to Shapourzadeh. 1. FC Saarbrücken will remain in the league, "keeping the squad intact and strengthening where needed." Rot-Weiss Essen has beefed up in winter and is holding onto key players, while 1860 Munich has signed top-notch talent.
The aim is to recruit "worthy lads who mesh with us both on and off the pitch." Shapourzadeh added, "We've won the state cup and ended up fifth in the 3. Liga. Our goal is to push forward."
By progress, Shapourzadeh means boosting athletic prowess and refining the playing style. "We've had a few encounters where we've conceded four or five goals and crumbled," the sports chief criticized. To build a solid team, he stressed the importance of having a strategy, adapting when we falter, and rehearsing a secondary playing system. The team also needs to appear more composed on the road.
DFB-Pokal: lucrative opportunities
Shapourzadeh underscored the DFB-Pokal's importance for the club. "Participating in the first round is part of our planning. Extra earnings are possible," he said. "Third division teams have made it to the semi-finals or even the final in recent years, earning millions."
These clubs have pocketed revenues of seven to ten million euros. "We're hoping for a sweet draw, giving us a chance to advance to the second round." The first-round draw will be held on June 15.
- Football
- Hansa Rostock
- 3. Liga
- Rostock
- Ostsee
- FC Hansa
- Bernd Hollerbach
- Daniel Brinkmann
- Dynamo Dresden
- Arminia Bielefeld
- "In light of Rostock's sporty endeavors in the 3. Liga, it would be wise to closely monitor Hansa Rostock's progress, given their aim to enhance their playing style and composure on the field,"
- "Amidst the club's focus on advancing in the DFB-Pokal for potential additional earnings, one cannot ignore the lucrative opportunities football competitions like the DFB-Pokals present for third division teams."
