Marius Kleinsorge is back in the Ruhr area: The offensive player moves from SV Meppen to Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. Forecasting spoke with Kleinsorge.
Rot-Weiß Oberhausen has made another move on the transfer market shortly before the start of training on Thursday (22 June): Marius Kleinsorge, who was relegated from the 3. Liga with SV Meppen last season, is a Kleeblatt with immediate effect.
Kleinsorge played 19 games (three goals, two assists) for the Emsländer in the 2022/2023 season. In the 2021/2022 season, he was also under contract with Rot-Weiss Essen for six months. RWE had loaned the fast winger from 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
In the end, with 17 appearances (seven goals, four assists), Kleinsorge also played his part in RWE leaving the Regionalliga for the 3rd League after 13 years. He can certainly call himself one of Essen’s promotion heroes.
Kleinsorge celebrated promotion with RWE together with Jörn Nowak and Oguzhan Kefkir, but now the trio is reunited at RWO. Forecasting spoke to Kleinsorge.
Marius Kleinsorge, how did it come about that we can welcome you back to the Ruhrpott?
A few days ago, Jörn Nowak called me and asked what I was up to. After I wanted to talk to the people in charge about the contract offer from SV Meppen, because the first offer just wasn’t fair for me as a family man, the club withdrew the offer. That’s when Jörn’s call came in handy. I went to Oberhausen and the talks with him and Patrick Bauder were excellent. The decision in favour of RWO was quite easy for me. I’m very happy that it worked out.
You actually wanted to settle in Emsland, didn’t you?
Yes, that was the plan. But as a footballer it’s not easy to always stick to plans. We’re doing it this way now, too, that I’m going to Oberhausen alone. My wife and daughter will stay in Meppen. We don’t want to tear our little girl away from her familiar surroundings. She has a day-care place in Meppen, her other activities and friends. That will stay the same. There are only 150 kilometres between Oberhausen and Meppen. That’s a 90-minute drive. Of course, I will stay with my family as often as possible and otherwise concentrate fully on RWO.
You were promoted with Rot-Weiss Essen. What will happen with Rot-Weiss Oberhausen?
(laughs) That remains to be seen. But let’s be honest: Borussia Dortmund II, Preußen Münster and Rot-Weiss Essen, who all went up from the West-Staffel last time, already had brutal squads. Now the field is getting closer together. I also see us among the top five teams. We have a decent squad with 16 players who know each other from last season. We definitely want to be among the top teams.
RWE and RWO are not exactly on the same wavelength – at least not as far as the fan camp is concerned. Did you have any concerns about that at any time?
No. The fans should understand that too. At the end of the day, this is our job. There are always such changes of players who go to the rival club. I have to see what is best for my family and me. I am a loyal, friendly and honest person. I think that’s how the fans remember me in Essen. Everything else is just football.
Jörn Nowak as coach: What do you expect from Coach Nowak?
He is a meticulous worker who has a high level of professional competence. He understands football. He can read a game. I am firmly convinced that he will develop a good team and implement his ideas. I want to be a part of that and help Rot-Weiß Oberhausen with all the club’s goals.