Pascal Beilfuß and Patrick Polk have been player-coaches at DJK TuS Hordel for just over a year. Last season, they almost won promotion, but DJK is currently in last place in the Westfalenliga 2.
It was an unusual step. In September 2021, DJK TuS Hordel decided to make two of its players interim coaches after a botched start to the season and the resignation of the coach. Because Pascal Beilfuß and Patrick Polk did a good job, the two are still active as player-coaches today. At the moment, however, there is a crisis: After almost being promoted last season, DJK TuS Hordel is currently bottom of the Westfalenliga 2 with five defeats in a row.
“What was totally good last season is supposed to be totally bad now? We don’t make it that easy for ourselves,” says sporting director Jörg Versen of the players’ coaches. But he also says: “That’s just the way football is: of course results have to come at some point. For the past 14 days, we have been holding endless talks, also with the player-coaches,” explains Versen.
Westfalenliga 2: Strong promoted team visits DJK TuS Hordel
There are numerous explanations for the current crisis – the team recently lost the derby against Concordia Wiemelhausen with 1:2. Versen cites an injury crisis and a lack of luck as the main reasons. “And then, of course, it’s also the case that self-confidence keeps getting lost,” says Versen.
It is precisely in this crisis that Türkspor Dortmund will be coming next matchday. The promoted team strengthened itself well before the season and has not lost a game so far. “I am realistic. With a budget that would allow them to play in the Oberliga or even the Regionalliga, Türkspor is one of the top favourites for promotion. The football god would have to have a lot of green and white on for us to get something in that game,” explains the sporting director.
Versen is hopeful about the quality of the squad and the imminent return of numerous injured players, such as Hordel’s top scorer Max Morgner. Perhaps the team can even break out of the crisis at home against Türkspor on the next matchday. Kick-off at Hordeler Heide is on Sunday (16.10.) at 3 p.m.
