Switched Allegiances: Trainer Shifts Teams
Kim Luong, a seasoned volleyball coach, has made a move to ASV Botnang in the German third division, with the ambitious goal of leading the team to promotion. Luong's decision to switch teams, often referred to as "coach switching sides," comes as he leaves TSV Georgii Allianz, where he previously coached the women's team [1].
The departure of Luong from TSV Georgii Allianz was due to a lack of perspective for promotion, as the conditions for advancement were not clearly defined at the club, according to Luong himself [1]. His former team at TSV Georgii Allianz has already appointed his successor, ensuring a smooth transition.
Meanwhile, at ASV Botnang, Luong begins a new chapter with heightened ambitions. The third-division team recently lost their last game of the season, finishing in third place. However, the goal at ASV Botnang is to have no obstacles to promotion if they qualify sportingly [1].
The strategic moves by both clubs are part of their league campaigns, with this change taking place ahead of the 2025 season. Although the exact personal reasons for Luong's switch are not explicitly detailed, the framing of the transfer as a "mission promotion" suggests a professionally motivated decision aligned with career progression and competitive goals [1].
In addition to Luong, ASV Botnang is being supported by an experienced co-trainer, Christian Hohmann, who previously trained the men's second league team of TSV Georgii Allianz [1].
On the other side, TSV Georgii Allianz is facing a coaching change due to Patrick Stähle, a sports director and Allianz veteran, taking on a new role. Stähle, who started playing for TSV Georgii Allianz at the age of ten and has been coaching since 2008, will now coach the women's team in a new dual role [1].
The women's team at TSV Georgii Allianz aims to build a foundation for more professionalism and structure, with the long-term goal of attracting more spectators and sponsors [1]. Notably, Nadja Jäckle, a long-standing performer and key player for the women's team, is leaving to become a youth trainer.
The season for ASV Botnang's volleyball team starts on September 27, while TSV Georgii Allianz's women's team starts their points round a week later. As for TSV Georgii Allianz, they missed an opportunity for promotion due to the withdrawal of FT Freiburg 1844 II, but they declined the offer [1].
In an effort to boost their chances, ASV Botnang has hired a team manager, increased sponsorship funds, and has a new team handling social media, according to team captain and deputy head of the department, Lukas Beckebans [1].
References:
[1] "Kim Luong wechselt zu ASV Botnang," Volleyball Magazin, 15 August 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.volleyball-magazin.de/news/kim-luong-wechselt-zu-asv-botnang-138781.html. [Accessed 16 August 2024].
Luong's departure from TSV Georgii Allianz was due to a lack of perspective for promotion in sports, as the conditions for advancement were not clearly defined at the club, according to Luong himself. In contrast, ASV Botnang's primary sports goal is to have no obstacles to promotion if they qualify sportingly.
