Wuppertaler SV are on a rollercoaster this season. At the start of the series, many thought: This WSV is unstoppable. Red-Blue are currently twelve points behind first place.

What a start to the season it was for Wuppertaler SV: In the opening game, WSV won in front of almost 30,000 fans at Aachen’s Tivoli – and with two goals in stoppage time.

This was followed by late victories against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3:2), FC Schalke 04 II (3:1) and SV Rödinghausen (1:0). Only 1. FC Köln II (2:2) was able to stop the flow of Wuppertaler SV. The Red & Blues then responded immediately and defeated Wegberg-Beeck (2:0). 16 points after six games! First place!

But after that, WSV was unrecognizable: first five games without a win in a row, then three three-pointers in a row and finally the last four matches in which only one point was scored.

And yet, WSV sporting director Gaetano Manno is still fighting – despite the current twelve-point gap to league leaders 1. FC Bocholt. After all, the goal was and is clear: after third and second place, the aim this season is to achieve first place and the associated promotion

Gaetano Manno, how much does the 3:4 defeat against Alemannia Aachen still hurt you three days later?

Very much! The disappointment is huge because you saw what is possible, what we are capable of. We were ahead in all the statistics, but not in the most important one – the result. I can’t really blame the team because they played a good game, just like the week before in Düren. What I can blame them for is that we were simply undisciplined before the 3:4 situation. We saw that Anton Heinz had a great day. Then you simply can’t allow a free kick from 28 meters. That annoys me and we have to learn from that

Aachen were already ten points behind us this season, now they’re seven points ahead of us. Why shouldn’t we turn that around? I firmly believe in us and a good season – we won’t give up!

Gaetano Manno

Has the change of coach from Hüzeyfe Dogan to Christian Britscho and just one point from two games already fizzled out?

I don’t think so. Because we’ve improved in terms of our play. We should have won against Aachen and also in Düren. But the referee had something against it with a crucial decision shortly before the end. He fell for the theatrics of the Düren goalkeeper. We don’t get a penalty. On the other hand, Aachen were awarded a penalty against Düren in stoppage time that they shouldn’t have been awarded. I want to use this example to show that the momentum that was on our side at the start of the season is no longer there. Teams like Bocholt or Aachen have that now. But you have to work hard for that momentum and a bit of luck. We have to do that again.

Twelve points behind first place: Why do you still believe that Wuppertaler SV will have a successful season?

We are experiencing a very, very wild season. With the exception of Bocholt, everyone has had a weak phase. Bocholt will also be hit. But we have to focus on ourselves. Anything else makes no sense. But I know what’s possible. Aachen were already ten points behind us this season, now they’re seven points ahead of us. Why shouldn’t we turn that around? I firmly believe in us and a good season – we’re not giving up!

I don’t really comment on names, but I don’t want to lie. Yes, Dario is one of many candidates. Dario is a candidate who fits our profile. He’s a soccer coach, a meticulous worker and an emotional guy. He has done a good job at VfB Oldenburg. But once again, he is one of many candidates, including Christian Britscho.

Gaetano Manno

Will WSV be coached by Christian Britscho in the first game of 2024 against Schalke II?

We will analyze everything after a hopefully successful conclusion at the weekend in Mönchengladbach and then make a decision on what is best for Wuppertaler SV.