On Sunday, May 12, 1.30 pm, MSV Duisburg awaits FC Erzgebirge Aue for the last home game of the 2023/2024 season.

“Dejection, frustration, emptiness, everything you can summarize. It’s been a long time coming, but when it’s sealed, it’s a challenge to concentrate on the matchday again.” These were Uwe Schubert’s words when asked how he felt after MSV Duisburg had been relegated.

One thing is clear: interim coach Schubert is very concerned about this sporting tragedy at MSV. The 64-year-old has been at the club since 2002 and has been very successful as head of the youth training center. He is a zebra through and through. Schubert also knows that the relegation of the professionals will have an impact on the youngsters. But he doesn’t see it as all doom and gloom at the moment.

“First of all, I don’t see these things negatively, but always positively. It won’t get any easier in the future, that’s for sure. But our NLZ is well positioned and the work is very good. I’ve heard that the sponsors want to support the work of the NLZ to the same extent or provide even more money. That will be the case at least in the first year after relegation. And after all, MSV wants to go straight back up,” explains Schubert.

But first it’s down to the regional league. On Sunday, Duisburg will say goodbye to their fans against Erzgebirge Aue. 11,000 fans have announced their attendance

Anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to stand up to that can go to Michael Preetz and ask to be released. That’s what I told the boys during the week. But nobody got back to me. I expect everyone to work their asses off and give their all in what will be MSV Duisburg’s last game in professional soccer for the time being

Uwe Schubert

Of course, the coach knows that Sunday will not be a fun event for the MSV pros. And hopefully also the players

Schubert with a clear message: “The fact that 11,000 spectators are again coming to a home game of a relegated team is absolute madness. It should also be clear that the players won’t be greeted with applause. But the players have to put up with not being cheered. That’s completely understandable and the fans’ right. Anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to put up with it can go to Michael Preetz and ask to be released. That’s what I told the lads during the week. But nobody got in touch. I expect everyone to work their asses off and give it their all in what will be MSV Duisburg’s last game in professional soccer for the time being. “