On January 3, 2024, Alemannia Aachen will start preparing for the rest of the Regionalliga West season. Two previously unknown faces will also be there.

Alemannia Aachen went into the winter break two points behind league leaders 1. FC Bocholt. The Aacheners will start training again from Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

“I now expect tunnel vision for five months. The full focus must be on our goal. We have to do everything we can to achieve it. Whether we achieve what we have set out to do is up to us. We will then see if our work is enough for that,” Heiner Backhaus emphasizes to Forecasting.

The Alemannia coach will also welcome two new faces at the kick-off. Since Radomir Novakovic terminated his contract in Aachen and will probably join Oberliga club Eintracht Trier, the Kaiserstädter reacted and signed Leroy Zeller, a new goalkeeper.

“Leroy impressed during training. He’s from the region, identifies with the task at hand, and has a great character that will help us in the dressing room. What’s more, at 23, Leroy meets the U rule,” explains Backhaus. He adds: ”Leroy will line up behind Marcel Johnen as number two. That’s been clearly communicated.”

Alemannia Aachen: Ex-Wattenscheider Lerche is a candidate

Backhaus would also like to sign a new striker. And in December, Dennis Lerche, once a top scorer for SG Wattenscheid 09 and most recently without a club, introduced himself at the Tivoli. “He brings something that other strikers don’t have. That would be an added value. If you sign this type of striker, then you also have to have some imagination. Let’s see how he presents himself in the new year with us. In the end, it’s up to him,” says Backhaus.

Lerche, 28, was sacked from Wattenscheid in mid-October 2023 for disciplinary reasons. Perhaps he will get a new chance in Aachen.

On the other hand, it will be difficult for Beyhan Ametov. According to information from RS, he is one of the candidates, along with Cas Peters, to leave Aachen. In the case of Peters, however, only if Alemannia signs a new striker. Perhaps Dennis Lerche, then.

The squad should be complete by January 12, the day of the flight to the training camp in Turkey. “We will only take boys to Belek who also have a valid contract,” emphasizes Backhaus.