Landesliga club SpVgg Steele is setting the course for the future. Dirk Möllensiep will remain in charge on the touchline in the coming season.
On December 10, 2013, Dirk Möllensiep had his first day on the job as coach of SpVgg Steele. More than a decade has passed since then, as the coach celebrated his tenth anniversary last month.
Möllensiep has experienced a lot in these ten years: from the Kreisliga A to the Landesliga. Steele has been playing in the sixth-highest division without interruption since the 2019/20 season.
When asked about the main reason for this long tenure, the 53-year-old replied: “That’s a really good question. For one thing, there is a family atmosphere at the club. Steele has given me an incredible amount of freedom. I really feel part of the club. Of course, friendships have also developed over the years.”
Möllensiep continues: “At almost 50, it’s no longer so easy to keep up with the young people. That has to be said quite clearly. That’s why I’ve toyed with the idea of taking a step back or quitting altogether. “
According to Markus Niemann, the 2nd Chairman, I can extend my contract in Steele myself. I then decided to continue for another year – regardless of the league.
Dirk Möllensiep
However, this topic is now off the table. Because: Möllensiep announced to Forecasting that he has extended his contract again: “According to Markus Niemann, the 2nd chairman, I can extend my contract in Steele myself. I then decided to continue for another year – regardless of the league. The majority of the squad has already agreed to stay for the coming season. Of course, that also makes me a bit proud.”
After a strong last season, which ended in seventh place, the Spielvereinigung’s only goal this season is to stay in the national league. After 21 games, Möllensiep’s eleven are in the first relegation spot with 23 points, but the relegation place is only one point away.
The coach is confident that his team will manage to avoid relegation: “We want to get back the points we dropped in the first half of the season. We know that we can do it. But it will be difficult. We lost a total of seven players in the winter, but we also gained four players who have integrated well. I am of the opinion that we have not deteriorated. With our budget, another year in the national league would be a great success. We want to continue to offer regional league soccer in Steele with little money. “