Unreasonable Shift in Coaching Personnel Without Explanation
By Ben RedelingsFacebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link Following the sacking of Cologne coach Gerhard Struber, only seven second division coaches remain at the clubs where they started the season. A bewildering trend that casts a dim light on clubs' decision-makers.
"It feels like they're itching to off us after a loss!" Former Nuremberg master coach Herbert Widmayer couldn't hold back his indignation. He had just been fired as the first coach of the fledgling Bundesliga after a 0:5 home loss to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. His previous achievements counted for naught. The relentless pressure to excel had already compelled the club's decision-makers to act after the ninth matchday. For German football, this was a completely unprecedented development at the dawn of the professional era. Today, these events have become standard fare.
A few years ago, a successor to Herbert Widmayer at the former record champion from Franconia once said after his dismissal: "I'm making a beeline for the town hall now. I'll be receiving the courage award from the mayor for three years in Nuremberg." Klaus Augenthaler knew what he was speaking about. One of his maxims was: "Eventually, you'll have to bite the bullet, and if you're a coach, that bullet's usually your job."
This fate currently befalls almost a new coach every day in the top two German football leagues. It's downright bizarre how swiftly clubs are trading their coaches these days. And all too often, it seems like they're doing it without rhyme or reason!
The Sage Words of Niko Kovač
Especially in the second division, some decision-makers seem to be losing their nerve. After the dismissal of coach Gerhard Struber in Cologne, only seven clubs still have the same coaches on the sidelines who started the season. Eleven clubs have already admitted, before the last two matchdays, that they made a mistake going into the season. This is hardly flattering for the clubs' decision-makers, who, as a knee-jerk reaction, prefer to fire the coach rather than first examining the entire situation – possibly themselves.
Before Ralph Hasenhüttl had to step down in Wolfsburg, his predecessor, the current coach of Borussia Dortmund, Niko Kovač, had already said something intriguing about the situation at VFL: "In general, you've got little time in the Bundesliga or in our business. But you have to question, when you look at how many coaches have been here in the last few years, whether it's always the coach's fault."
The club from the automotive city, which has been trying for many years to reproduce the surprise success under coach Felix Magath in 2009 with a lot of money, probably didn't want to hear that. But they will know best that there is probably more than a grain of truth in Niko Kovač's statement.
In two weeks, when the final curtain falls on this season in the top two German football leagues, some clubs will have long faces despite the coaching changes. That's because it's part of the professional game that not all teams will have achieved their aims by the end. Fans and experts in Kaiserslautern, Münster, or Cologne will likely be examining the effects of the coaching changes. At least, these clubs can argue that their leaders chose to empty their last chamber. However, what the leadership in Wolfsburg was thinking by not following their own coach Ralph Hasenhüttl's advice ("I assume we'll be packing our bags today, working together for another two weeks, and then we'll see what happens in the summer") will remain their mystery forever. They probably just wanted to swiftly find a scapegoat for the fans' discontent. Not very original, but common and often successful.
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Otto Rehhagel, who was once a "firefighter" coach and became a long-term success after his 14 years at SV Werder Bremen, once said something very insightful about coaching changes in the Bundesliga. At the time, he had just been hired by 1. FC Kaiserslautern after being fired by FC Bayern Munich, and one of his former clubs was on the brink of relegation from the first league.
Rehhagel remarked, "Seventeen years ago, they fired me from Fortuna Düsseldorf. And where is Fortuna today? It didn't help at all!" Sentiments that league decision-makers might want to ponder before making imprudent decisions.
Factors Behind the Coaching Carousel
- Immediate Results Pressure: Clubs face intense pressure to achieve immediate success, especially in the top tier. If a team is not performing well, the first step often taken is to change the coach, even if it doesn't address underlying issues like roster quality or team dynamics.[3]
- High Expectations and Fan Pressure: Fans and club owners have high expectations, which can lead to hasty decisions if performance doesn't meet these expectations. This pressure can be amplified by media scrutiny and fan disgruntlement.
- Competition for European Qualification: The competition for European spots and the financial benefits associated with them can drive clubs to make coaching changes in the hopes of improving their chances of securing a European berth.
- Player Turnover: Frequent changes in the playing roster can disrupt team chemistry, necessitating adjustments that sometimes result in coaching changes.
Possible Consequences for Clubs and Decision-Makers
- Financial Burden: Multiple coaching changes can be costly due to severance packages and the costs associated with hiring new staff.[3]
- Lack of Consistency and Stability: A high turnover rate can undermine long-term planning and stability within the club, affecting squad development and cohesion.
- Reputation Damage: Clubs with frequent coaching changes may struggle to attract and retain top talent, as players favor stability in their professional environment.
- Diminished Support: Continual changes can damage a club's reputation, impacting the ability to secure high-profile signings and maintaining fan support.
Select Exceptional Cases
Clubs like Heidenheim, with Frank Schmidt at the helm for nearly 18 years, demonstrate that stability can offer advantages. However, such cases are rare in today's fast-paced football climate.[1][4] The appointment of coaches like Christian Ilzer at Hoffenheim, following a managerial change, showcases the ongoing pursuit of immediate results.[4]
Sources:[1] Bundesliga.com (2022). The club with a 17-year coach – Unusual in the Bundesliga! https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/the-club-with-a-17-year-coach--unusual-in-the-bundesliga[2] ntv.de (2022). Wrong coach or wrong decision? Niko Kovač criticizes VFL-Wolfsburg https://www.ntv.de/sport/schon-zur-tat-niko-kovac-kritisiert-vfl-wolfsburg[3] Transfermarkt (2022). Bundesliga player-related costs between 2008 and 2019. https://www.transfermarkt.us/bundesliga/hochstkosten/wettbewerbs betrachtung/1/wettbewerbssaison_id/2019[4] DW (2022). Christian Ilzer: The up-and-coming coach of 1899 Hoffenheim. https://www.dw.com/en/christian-ilzer-the-up-and-coming-coach-of-1899-hoffenheim/a-62736796
- Niko Kovač, the current coach of Borussia Dortmund, has previously questioned whether it is always the coach's fault when a team is performing poorly, as multiple coaching changes have become commonplace in the Bundesliga.
- Fans and experts in Kaiserslautern, Münster, and Cologne will likely be examining the effects of the coaching changes, as some clubs might have long faces despite the changes, failing to achieve their aims by the end of the season.
- Clubs in the Bundesliga are often quick to fire their coaches in response to poor performance, even without considering the underlying issues, such as roster quality or team dynamics.
- The constant shuffle in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga is casting a dim light on clubs' decision-makers, as they seem to be losing their nerve, preferring to fire coaches rather than examining the entire situation first. Former coach Herbert Widmayer expressed frustration over this situation after his dismissal.
