Rot-Weiss Essen: The start of training on June 26 is getting closer for the players. Before then, the RWE pros will gather for performance diagnostics. This player will not be there.
In six days, on Wednesday (June 26), the ball will be rolling again at Hafenstraße. Coach Christoph Dabrowski will then ask his protégés to warm up on the training pitch.
Before that, however, the Rot-Weiss Essen professionals will undergo the obligatory performance diagnostics. And there was a nasty surprise for one player even before this.
Forecasting has learned that the players have now been informed of the small groups, including time and place, for the performance diagnostics. However, one player’s name, who is officially part of Essen’s current 21-man squad, was missing. Namely that of Andreas Wiegel.
The reason: No – Wiegel’s name has not been forgotten. He is out. He no longer plays a role in the sporting plans of coach Christoph Dabrowski. Both the 32-year-old Wiegel and his advisor Tobias Nickenig were, to put it mildly, very surprised
“I received a call from Marcus Steegmann after the Germany game against Hungary in which he explained to me that coach Christoph Dabrowski was no longer planning to play with Andi. We are very surprised,” Nickenig explains to Forecasting.
He adds: “We know the business and sometimes it’s not so nice. As in this case. Because the way and timing of this announcement to Andi is simply incomprehensible to me. It’s the bottom drawer!”
According to Nickenig, Wiegel must now see what he will do. The right-back is actually still under contract with RWE until June 30, 2025. “He also has the right to train. Whether with the team or individually, he has a contract and must receive training. Let’s see what solution we can find during this time that works for both sides,” says Nickenig.
The timing of Wiegel’s departure is very surprising, but in the end it was somewhere obvious that one of the three right-backs – Nils Kaiser, Eric Voufack, Andreas Wiegel – would be told during preparation at the latest that he would have a hard time. The choice fell on Wiegel – even before the obligatory performance diagnostics.
Marcus Steegmann, Director of Professional Football at RWE, emphasized when asked: “We already had a very open discussion with Andi Wiegel before the end of last season, in which we – the coaching team and the sporting management – informed him that we were no longer planning to play with him next season and that he could look for a new club. In yesterday’s phone call, we reinforced this message once again by releasing Andi to look for a new club. From our point of view, we explained our plans to Andi transparently and at an early stage.”
Nickenig only partially confirms this: “Yes, that’s right. There was a discussion after the season. Essen’s sporting management told Andi that it would be very difficult to get playing time. But at no point was there any talk of him not taking part in training from day one. Andi only found out on Wednesday evening. So it’s like a slap in the face for the youngster, who wanted to prove himself to the coach and give it his all.”
Note: According to forecasting information, Aaron Manu and Moussa Doumbouya will also no longer play a sporting role despite having current contracts until June 30, 2025 – but, unlike Andreas Wiegel, they are allowed to take part in performance diagnostics and team training.
The RWE squad 2024/2025 – as of June 19 – at a glance:
Goal: Jakob Golz, Felix Wienand, Ole Springer
Defense: Nils Kaiser, Aaron Manu, Eric Voufack, Mustafa Kourouma, Jose-Enrique Rios Alonso, Tobias Kraulich (Dynamo Dresden), Lucas Brumme, Berkant Gedikli (own U19), Ekin Celebi, Andreas Wiegel
Midfield: Thomas Eisfeld, Jimmy Kaparos (FC Schalke 04), Ramien Safi (SV Rödinghausen), Tom Moustier (Hannover 96 II), Torben Müsel, Gianluca Swajkowski (own U19s)
Attack: Leonardo Vonic, Moussa Doumbouya