Mülheimer FC has to completely rebuild itself. Following relegation from the Oberliga, a new era is beginning for the club under the leadership of Muammer Tekin. The new Landesliga team has been training for around a week under head coach Engin Tuncay. “We currently have a squad of around 20 players. We want to get to 23 players in total, but that will become clearer over the next few weeks. We still have players on trial and will then see if they are a good fit,” said Tekin, analyzing the transfer phase. The new signings will be presented over the course of the next week, as the club has not yet released any information. Tekin also declined to comment on names during the interview, referring instead to the coming days.

Maybe two seasons in the Oberliga were just too tough for us

Muammer Tekin

After a disastrous Oberliga season, which saw Mülheimer FC finish second from bottom, things are set to improve in the 2025/2026 season. The team was seven points short of staying up. However, Tekin did not only see negative aspects in the past season: “We also played some really good games, such as against ETB SW Essen, where we only conceded the equalizer in the 90th minute. We were often just unlucky, and we also had a lot of bad luck with injuries in the second half of the season. Maybe two seasons in the Oberliga were just too tough for us.”

In preparation for the upcoming season, Mülheimer FC has already celebrated its first partial success. In its first test match, the team led by coach Tuncay won 4-2 against Firtinaspor Herne, a team from the Herne district league. “We saw some positive aspects, but we also know what we still need to work on,” explains the sporting director. “We’ve completely overhauled the squad. Most of the new signings are young players who first have to get used to the rigors of the Landesliga. The young, hungry players need to be brought in gently,” is the chairman’s main priority.

Tekin believes it would be presumptuous to start the season with promotion as the goal. “We have to start small, especially after the squad overhaul, and our goal is to stay in the Landesliga. We’ll see what else is possible, but staying up is the top priority. Maybe the year in the Landesliga will do us good, and we can build our new team in peace.”

Mülheimer FC will be back in action this Saturday (July 12). The Landesliga team will face Westfalenliga side SSV Buer away from home. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. at the Löchterheide.