Third division promoted team VfB Lübeck parts ways with coach Lukas Pfeiffer – just a few days before the game at Rot-Weiss Essen. This is what’s behind it.
The next coaching change in League Three: VfB Lübeck is releasing Lukas Pfeiffer. The promoted team announced this on Monday afternoon – this Friday, the club will be guests at Rot-Weiss Essen (7 p.m./Stadion an der Hafenstraße).
The Pfeiffer situation was hotly debated over the weekend. Lübeck is four points behind Hallescher FC in a relegation place. And the coach was increasingly viewed critically in the Hanseatic city. “Pfeiffer out” chants recently echoed through the stadium. Now the club is reacting.
Sports director “regrets” the decision
“I very much regret that this decision had to be made and would like to thank Lukas first of all for his excellent work over the past few years,” said sports director Sebastian Harms about the separation. ”He is a very good coach who has already achieved great things with our VfB at a young age and whom I believe will have a very good career in the future and sincerely wish him well. We have always worked together openly and trustingly.”
Pfeiffer had been working for the traditional club since 2020, leading them into the 3rd division in the summer – VfB thought so highly of the 32-year-old that they paid a fine because Pfeiffer doesn’t actually have the license to train in the third division. He was named coach of the year in Schleswig-Holstein in 2022. A real talent. His journey will continue elsewhere.
“There will be many special moments to remember and also many people with whom I really enjoyed working,” he said after his departure. ”I will always look back with pride on much of what we have achieved together. I hope for the team and all VfBer that the club can maintain its family atmosphere in the future while also achieving its sporting goals.”
VfB Lübeck play at RWE on Friday
Rather, sporting director Harms is now calling on the team. “In our situation, we have to keep re-evaluating ourselves and we are now convinced that the team needs new impetus, which can only be achieved by making a change at the coaching position,” he says. “In this respect, a separation is the necessary step for the club at this point in time.”
There will be no alibis for the team next Friday when VfB Lübeck play in Essen. Former HSV professional Bastian Reinhardt, previously an assistant coach, will take the bench on an interim basis.