The 1,300 MSV fans who travelled with the team went on the rampage when the Duisburg team stepped in front of the curve after the defeat in Cologne. Sebastian Mai and Ingo Wald explained how the conversation went.
The frustration of the MSV supporters was already huge at the home defeat against Verl a week ago. A few days after the dismissal of Torsten Ziegner, the mood at Sportpark Höhenberger was even more tense after the final whistle. There was much discussion, countless angry fans sat on the fence and wanted an explanation for the negative run of the past weeks. Shouts of “Heskamp out” rang out from the stands.
It wasn’t just the fans who were fed up. Sebastian Mai, who found clear words after the game, had absolute understanding for the reaction. “It’s absolutely justified and would be the same for me if I were standing in the block. The boys travel a lot of kilometres for the club and we can’t manage to give them a present on the pitch. That hurts and we are all very sorry. It was very difficult, but it’s just as much a part of it as a change of coach, victories or defeats.”
What the veteran praised was the way the dialogue on the sidelines has gone. “It’s very productive, what comes there. We were not insulted or spat on. They tried to build us up and put in front of us what it means and where we are. I think that’s good and I’ve seen it different. It’s positive that it was so civilised.”
President Ingo Wald was also happy that “everything remained peaceful. The players also have to accept being criticised. The important thing is that the fans are all still with us. It would be worse if they left without a word. I’m sure we can get them back. “
Wald is aware that criticism of him is getting louder and that sporting director Ralf Heskamp is also increasingly the focus of attention due to the unrest in the surrounding area. “The pressure is increasing, of course. But we have to face it. We certainly didn’t do everything right and have to endure that.”
MSV must make rapid progress under Engin Vural, who will continue to sit on the bench for at least the next two third division games, and achieve the turnaround. The president has full confidence in the U19 coach. “Personally, I would be happy if he can establish himself in the longer term. We communicate openly and honestly. He knows the ropes and we are in good spirits.”
So Vural should be given the time to bring about change. Not an easy situation, because the Zebras urgently need the first sense of achievement in the crisis season of 2023/2024 so far. The consequences of a possible relegation could be existence-threatening.
