The ball will be rolling again in the 3rd division this weekend. Forecasting spoke to an experienced third division coach ahead of the start of the second half of the season. Torsten Ziegner.
Friday, January 16, 7 p.m.: The 20th match day in the 3rd league will be kicked off with the Bavarian derby between SSV Jahn Regensburg and FC Ingolstadt.
On Saturday (2 p.m. at TSV 1860 Munich) and Sunday (1:30 p.m. at VfB Stuttgart II), the Ruhr Valley clubs Rot-Weiss Essen and MSV Duisburg will also join the third division action.
Ahead of the start of the second half of the season, Forecasting spoke to former Zebras coach Torsten Ziegner, who was at Wedau from May 2022 to September 2023 (49 competitive games – points average: 1.2 points per game).
The 48-year-old soccer coach is an expert on the third division, having played 193 games for FSV Zwickau, Würzburger Kickers, and MSV Duisburg.
Torsten Ziegner, you have been without a coaching job since September 2023. Fortunately or unfortunately?
At this point, I would say unfortunately. At first, you enjoy the time and spend more time with your family. You do things that you didn’t have time for before. I also continued my education by observing various coaches. But now I’m ready to get back to work. I’m eager and want to be back on the sidelines.
Which coaches and clubs did you shadow?
At 1. FC Köln under Steffen Baumgart, at RB Leipzig under Marco Rose, and most recently under Uwe Rösler at VfL Bochum. It was really fun to look over the shoulders of my colleagues.
You are 48 years old and an experienced coach. What added value do such internships still have?
A coach must always be self-critical. Self-reflection is very important. But that should actually apply not only to coaches, but to everyone. You can always learn things from other experts and pick up tips. But, of course, in the end, you should also stay true to your own approach.
I have to say honestly that the relegation did the club a world of good. At the time it happened, it was of course a bitter experience. But in retrospect, it was a stroke of luck.
Torsten Ziegner
How do you look back on your time at MSV Duisburg between May 2022 and September 2023?
Very positively, without any resentment. It was an exciting time at a big club that is well known throughout Germany in soccer. MSV has enormous appeal thanks to its members and many fans. I have to say honestly that the relegation did the club a world of good. Of course, it was a bitter experience at the time it happened. In retrospect, however, it was a stroke of luck. New structures were put in place, new people were brought in, and Michael Preetz, a new boss who took a different approach, was hired. This proved to be the right decision. What differences do you see compared to your time there? When I was at MSV, too many people interfered and talked too much. In addition, during my time at MSV, the club relied on players who were often past their prime. We then had to carry them through. Now the philosophy is that MSV brings in hungry young players who want to achieve something or who want to prove themselves again after a career setback and are fully committed to MSV.
How do you view MSV Duisburg’s current season?
MSV Duisburg is a surprise as a promoted team. But if you manage to carry the euphoria from the regional league with you, then you can put together a run like this. Ulm, Regensburg, Elversberg, Münster: all these clubs have done it in recent years and celebrated double promotions. MSV has kept all its key players and strengthened the team in specific areas, even now in the winter. Do you think MSV will ultimately emulate Münster, Elversberg, and the others? It’s possible. But I don’t think it will be enough. I’m happy to be proven wrong. In any case, I wish the club all the best.
Who will ultimately succeed in gaining promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga?
SC Verl is having an outstanding season and is brutally strong in terms of soccer. Hansa Rostock has gone through and overcome a difficult phase with coach Daniel Brinkmann. They are now stable. Rot-Weiss Essen, including their power at Hafenstraße, is also very strong. And league leaders Energie Cottbus will also play a good role. Pele Wollitz is being a bit understated. I’ll make a prediction: Cottbus and Verl will go straight through, Rostock will go into the relegation play-offs.