After Letsch's departure

Letsch out: Bochum have found a new coach

Heiko Butscher takes over on an interim basis.

(Bild: X/halbraumkuebi, Photoshop)

Now it's official! After Thomas Letsch was sacked as coach of VfL Bochum with immediate effect on Monday, the relegation-threatened Bundesliga club has already found an interim solution. Heiko Butscher will take his place on the bench of the 15th-placed team for the remaining six games.

Immediately after the announcement of Letsch's departure, German media brought Peter Stöger into play, the 57-year-old is said to have already spoken to Bochum - Admira, where Stöger works as head of sport, knew nothing about it from the "Krone". And indeed, the former Cologne and Dortmund coach is likely to remain in Südstadt, at least for the time being.

U19 coach takes over
Instead, Bochum opted for Butscher. The U19 coach will take over the team until the end of the season and save them from relegation. The 43-year-old will lead the training session on Tuesday, according to reports.

Bochum's bitter 2:1 defeat against Cologne last Saturday (the goals were conceded in the 90th and 92nd minutes of the game) was indicative of the season. After 28 games, VfL have just 26 points to their name, with only three points separating the club from the relegation places.

"Declared his readiness immediately"
"Heiko immediately agreed to take on this challenge. He knows VfL, he knows the situation at VfL and has proven that he can immediately reach a team in terms of content and emotion," said Managing Director Sport Patrick Fabian. On Saturday (3.30 pm), VfL, who are just three points off the relegation zone, await 1. FC Heidenheim.