The 1. FC Bocholt will also be coached by its interim coach and sports director Marcus John in Saturday’s match (2 pm) at Rot Weiss Ahlen. However, the search for a coach is in full swing.

Marcus John has his hands full these days. He has a job, is a family man and, on top of that, is sports director at the regional league team 1. FC Bocholt. John currently has to look for a new coach for the promoted team. The successor to the suspended Jan Winking has not yet been found. For the time being, sports director John is available as interim coach.

“It’s a lot of fun to work with the boys. But I’d like to emphasise once again: this is not a job I’ll be doing permanently. We are looking for a new head coach and are on schedule. We’re not under any pressure and we just want to make the right decision,” John told RevierSport.

I received about 50 applications via phone, WhatsApp, mails and also post. There were also some really crazy things from abroad. So I ask myself, how do the candidates even come to 1. FC Bocholt?

Marcus John

The number of applicants proves that 1. FC Bocholt is an interesting address. John reveals: “I received around 50 applications via phone, WhatsApp, mail and also post. There were also some really crazy things from abroad. So I ask myself, how do the candidates even come to think of 1. FC Bocholt? But it’s nice when the club is so interesting for many coaches.”

John held an initial exploratory meeting with one of these candidates on Tuesday (16 August). As RevierSport learned, it was Rachid Sraizi. The Dutchman with Moroccan roots was most recently coach at SV Straelen and also held the co-coaching role at Fortuna Sittard. “It was an interesting, good conversation. The outcome is open. On Friday I will meet the next candidate,” says John.

Maybe it’s good if I address the player advisors again here at RevierSport: We are through! We are no longer looking for reinforcements. We are satisfied with our squad.

Marcus John

At the moment, John is also being offered masses of players. But here he declines with thanks. “Maybe it’s good if I turn to the player advisors here at RevierSport once again: We are through! We are no longer looking for reinforcements. We are satisfied with our squad,” John affirms.

The 48-year-old will be back on the sidelines in Ahlen on Saturday and is aiming for his first win of the season with the Bocholt side after the point gained against Wuppertal (2:2). However, John is also aware of the difficulty of the task. John: “I would rather Ahlen had won in Wiedenbrück and not lost 0:5. Now the concentration will be there again. But we are going to the Werse to take something with us. We need the points too. “