Rot-Weiss Essen will be playing away at TSV 1860 Munich on Saturday. Once again, Felix Wienand will be warming the bench. He could have transferred, though.

It was April 26, 2025, when Uwe Koschinat decided that Felix Wienand should be given a chance in goal for Rot-Weiss Essen after the team secured its place in the league.

The number two, who takes his place in the RWE goal behind Jakob Golz, was to show what he was capable of and warm up for the Lower Rhine Cup final against MSV Duisburg. Koschinat and his goalkeeping coach Manuel Lenz were heavily criticized for this decision.

But in the end, the coaches were proven right. After a stuttering start in the 0-3 defeat to Saarbrücken, the critics of this decision felt vindicated, but Wienand went on to deliver. So much so that during the summer break, several third division and regional league clubs, such as 1. FC Bocholt, sought the services of the 23-year-old, whose contract runs until June 30, 2028. RWE put a stop to any loan or permanent transfer. The Red and White officials did the same in the winter of 2026, when an inquiry from SSV Jahn Regensburg landed at RWE. Forecasting reported.

We also have a clear hierarchy, but we have given Felix plenty of opportunities to show what he can do. He has delivered, and it’s only natural that others have taken notice.

Uwe Koschinat

Before the match against TSV 1860 Munich, coach Koschinat once again explained the situation in the RWE goal.

“First and foremost, the blame for this situation lies with Manuel Lenz and me. Because Germany wouldn’t even know how outstanding this boy is if we hadn’t given him the opportunity to play so many games last year. We knew we had an outstanding goalkeeper, and now more clubs know it too. That’s the business. But we deliberately signed two strong goalkeepers with the idea of actually achieving our goals. And that certainly includes needing two very good goalkeepers. That’s important for our daily work and also gives the group a lot of security,” said the soccer coach. The 54-year-old added about the external interest in his number two: “Everything else is not my concern. My concern is that we have two damn good goalkeepers we can rely on. We also have a clear hierarchy, but we have given Felix a lot of opportunities to show what he can do. He has delivered, and it’s normal that others have noticed.”