Before his home debut as coach of VfL Bochum, Thomas Letsch spoke about the atmosphere in the Ruhrstadion, but also the demands on his own team.

The sporting importance of Saturday’s Bundesliga match (15:30, in the RS live ticker) against Eintracht Frankfurt for VfL Bochum is beyond question. After just one point from eight games, there should be the kick-off at home for the oft-cited turnaround – fitting for coach Thomas Letsch’s first appearance at the Ruhrstadion.

“I have to admit: It’s been a few years since I’ve been here in the stadium,” he said, unable to recall his last visit to Castroper Straße. The 53-year-old has not been back to the west of Germany all that often in his career. But Letsch is well aware of the significance: “Football in the Ruhr is something special.

Accordingly, the third Bochum coach this season is looking forward to his premiere in front of his home crowd. “I’m really looking forward to this experience of playing my first game here in the stadium as head coach.” Letsch promises that his team will not present themselves as passive, fearful and despondent as they did on his debut against RB-Leipzig – and has a clear message for the VfL supporters.

Message to fans and team

“What can be possible in this stadium when the fans are behind us, I don’t have to tell anyone.” Nevertheless, the 53-year-old believes the responsibility lies first and foremost with his players. “We have to take the fans with us from the first minute, by the way we perform. It’s up to us to ignite that atmosphere. Then it’s difficult for any team to play here.”

The stadium song “Bochum” by Herbert Grönemeyer also contributes to the atmosphere in the Ruhrstadion, which Letsch describes as extraordinary, even before the kick-off of every home game. Letsch describes himself as “quite sure of the lyrics”, although the last concert was a while ago. But he won’t be able to sing along on Saturday.