From relegation zone to the top third – “The boys are eager to learn”

After a weak start to the season, things are going really well for SG Schönebeck in the Lower Rhine Regional League 2. Coach Olaf Rehmann talks about the reasons for the turnaround.

After a weak start to the season, SG Essen-Schönebeck spent a long time in a relegation spot in the Landesliga Niederrhein 2. Following a lengthy relegation battle last season, everyone associated with SGS was hoping for a more relaxed season.

Speaking to Forecasting at the start of the season, coach Olaf Rehmann said: “Of course, we were all hoping for a quieter season. (…) But the team knew that it would be very difficult for us again.” However, after eleven games, it now looks as though Rehmann’s team could have a more relaxed season. Schönebeck have lost only one of their last six games and are now sixth in the table with 17 points.

Rehmann sees several reasons for this change: “The team is very eager to learn. We try to prepare for every game as best we can and also learn a lot from bad results. The team is following this path.”

We know that this is just a snapshot. We are grateful for these points, but we still need more to stay up. The most important thing for me is that this young team knows that it can compete against all the teams in this league.

Olaf Rehmann

Last Sunday, Schönebeck beat former league leaders Blau-Weiß Mintard 5-1. “We were very clinical and clinical in the first half, taking our chances. Mintard suffered repeated setbacks in the form of goals just when they were on their way back into the game. We won the first half, and that was pretty much the game.”

After struggling with relegation worries at the start of the season, Rehmann’s boys are now in sixth place. For the 44-year-old, this is a reason to celebrate, but not to be arrogant: “We know that this is just a snapshot. We’re grateful for these points, but we still need more to stay up. The most important thing for me is that this young team knows it can compete against all the teams in this league.”

Rehmann’s team was supposed to play Holsterhausen in the district cup during the week. However, the opponents did not show up. For Rehmann, this has both an advantage and a disadvantage: “I’m glad that injured players can get some rest. However, I would also have liked to give players who haven’t played much the chance to play in competitive conditions.”