VfL Bochum began performance diagnostics on Monday, and will be heading to the training ground for the first time on Wednesday. Some important positions in the squad are still up for grabs.
On Wednesday things will get started in Bochum under his aegis: new coach Peter Zeidler. IMAGO/Revierfoto
Anthony Losilla started on the treadmill wearing the light blue Bochum jersey and the number 8 on his shirt and shorts, as well as a big smile on his face. Together with the other VfL professionals, the captain also threw himself into the performance tests and examinations at the start of the week.
On Wednesday, the new coach Peter Zeidler will hold his first training session at 10 a.m. on the athletics field on Castroper Strasse. His coaching staff will also include three new assistants: Murat Unal, most recently head of FC Zurich, as assistant coach, Maxime Antonilli as another assistant who will primarily be responsible for game analysis, and Sebastian Baumgartner, Peter Greiber’s successor as goalkeeping coach.
Some positions are still open
The squad is far from complete; there will be changes in both directions. VfL wants to start the season with 24 field players – 18 with starting eleven potential, six challengers – plus three goalkeepers.
The budget is expected to settle at just under 40 million, which is roughly the same as last season. VfL will no longer be one of the league’s smallest players financially, especially after the promotion of the two northern clubs FC St. Pauli and Holstein Kiel, and last year’s newcomer 1. FC Heidenheim will not be able to make any major financial leaps either.
Nevertheless, Bochum still needs to be creative and quick on the transfer market. After all, there are still some important positions in the squad to be filled: playmaker Kevin Stöger left the club, defensive leader Keven Schlotterbeck also left, and a new number 1 is also to be signed because the separation from Manuel Riemann is imminent.
What happens to those returning on loan?
It also needs to be clarified what will happen to the players who return to VfL after a loan. For example, there is Jordi Osei-Tutu, who will not have a chance and is to be sold. It is quite unclear what will happen to Gerrit Holtmann, who is expected to prove himself in training under Zeidler. However, it is not impossible that the top sprinter’s time in Bochum will also come to an end.
On the other hand, the second attempt to sign Giorgos Masouras will not be successful. The winger from Olympiakos Piraeus, who Bochum tried to sign in the winter, will now probably not move and will instead stay with his old club Olympiakos Piraeus.
In addition to the Dutchman Dani de Wit from AZ Alkmaar, who VfL has had on its list for some time, Bochum are also interested in Aymen Barkok, according to kicker information from Mainz. The 26-year-old, most recently loaned from FSV Mainz to second division club Hertha BSC, will initially return to Mainz, where his contract runs until 2025.
The Rhinelanders would definitely let the midfield all-rounder, who can play as a double six and also as an eight or ten, go. But first of all, Barkok wants to prove himself to coach Bo Henriksen and wait and see how the preparation goes.
2024-07-01 15:42:55
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