MSV Duisburg has introduced two new players so far. For the second new Zebra, it was quickly clear after a phone call with the coach that he will move to Meiderich.
After Santiago Castaneda (Tampa Bay Rowdies), MSV Duisburg presented their second addition for the 2023/2024 season in the form of Thomas Pledl in mid-June.
The 29-year-old last laced up his boots for SV Waldhof Mannheim. Pledl will now play for the Meidericher Spielverein until 2025. The winger will wear the number 10 in zebra stripes.
In the kit of SpVgg Greuther Fürth, FC Ingolstadt, SV Sandhausen and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the right-footer collected twelve Bundesliga and 170 Zweitliga appearances. In addition, he played 19 matches in the 3rd division for Mannheim.
Forecasting spoke to the new MSV player.
Thomas Pledl, how did you come to sign with MSV Duisburg?
A few days after the last match of the season, I received a call from coach Torsten Ziegner. He asked me what my situation was. The conversation was very good and after two or three more conversations it was clear to me that I wanted to do it. I already knew MSV.
Exactly. You trained in Duisburg for several weeks in the autumn of 2022…
That was certainly also a factor. Because I felt very comfortable in Duisburg during those three weeks in October. MSV has great conditions and is a great traditional club. I knew what I was getting into here. I won’t need much time to settle in either, because I got to know the coaching team and many of the players in October.
What do you associate with MSV Duisburg?
Great Bundesliga times. I’m thinking of players like Bachirou Salou or Abdelaziz Ahanfouf. In the 1990s and 2000s, I followed all this with interest as a football fan, of course. The entire environment in Duisburg certainly deserves more than just the 3rd League. The stadium is top-notch, the fans are loud, there’s simply a lot going on in Duisburg.
Those responsible want to be promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga by 2025. Is it possible to make the leap upwards in the coming season?
No one has ever done well with battle announcements in mid-June. The league is extremely tight. Of course, we’ve seen over the last few years what’s possible when you enter the race with a well-coordinated team. You can certainly achieve a lot. Examples like Elversberg and Wehen Wiesbaden, who have relied on consistency for years, have proven that. But we first have to do a good preparation starting on Monday and then we’ll see what’s possible.
You played for Fortuna Düsseldorf for three years. Did you notice anything of the rivalry between Fortuna and MSV?
No, because we played in different leagues. But I know that there are a lot of rivalries here in NRW and the Ruhr region. The clubs, the cities are all very close to each other and it’s very exciting at one game or another. Of course, I’m also looking forward to a derby like the one against Rot-Weiss Essen. But we have a few NRW duels coming up next season.
Have you and your wife already arrived in Duisburg?
While we’re talking on the phone, we’re on our way to see the next flat (laughs). Keep your fingers crossed for us. Because it’s not easy to find a nice flat at the moment. But we are in good spirits. Of course we want to feel comfortable, and that’s why you need a private space to retreat to.