On Saturday, 1. FC Kaiserslautern will play against VfL Bochum. We spoke with the FCK managing director.
After seven match days and twelve points, 1. FC Kaiserslautern is close to the promotion spots. Now VfL Bochum is coming on Saturday. Thomas Hengen has been in charge at 1. FC Kaiserslautern since March 1, 2021. Forecasting spoke with the FCK managing director of sports ahead of the Bochum game.
Thomas Hengen, seven games and twelve points – nine of those at home: How would you assess the season so far?
It’s still far too early in the season to make a proper assessment. But so far, things are looking good. We’re really strong at home and are continuing on the path we’ve set out on. We’re struggling away from home. That has to improve. Teams in the second division are generally stronger at home. You saw that on the last match day, for example, when there were seven home wins in nine games. Betzenberg is a fortress again: is that a prerequisite for a successful season? At the very least, it’s the basis for a good season. We want to maintain this home advantage for as long as possible. In the hope that our opponents won’t enjoy coming to Betzenberg. Now VfL Bochum are coming. The Bundesliga relegated team has already changed coaches and is lagging behind expectations. How do you assess the situation at VfL and what do you think of the Bochum squad? The league is simply very balanced. Every week, you have to fight your way into the game. Relegated teams generally have difficulties in a new league because relegation almost always means a large squad fluctuation. But we see Bochum as a strong team and are approaching this game as if we were playing against a Bundesliga relegated team. We’re ignoring the table here. As already emphasized, the league is far too close to go by table positions.
He needs minutes and confidence. That’s especially important for a striker. We signed him because we are convinced of his qualities. I hope that after his brace, he will continue to let his performance do the talking in the coming weeks.
Thomas Hengen on Jannik Mause
Do you think Bochum will still be in contention at the end of the season?
I can’t really say, I’m too far removed from it. Besides, as I said, the league is still too close to make a serious prediction. But what I am pretty sure about is that Bochum will give it their all to show new coach Uwe Rösler their best side and prove that they belong in the team. They will want to win against us so they can welcome the new coach in good spirits. We are facing a highly motivated opponent.
What is in store for 1. FC Kaiserslautern this season – promotion to the Bundesliga?
Of course, we want to improve every year. Last season, we finished seventh. We have an ambitious environment and corresponding goals, but we are humble and respectful towards the 2. Bundesliga and our opponents. To be successful in this league, you always have to demonstrate the basics, such as willingness to run and fight. That is our goal, week after week. You have loaned striker Jannik Mause to the Ruhr area. How is your contact with Mause and how do you like his performances?
We talked a lot with Jannik and his agent before and after the transfer. Everyone knows that he needs to gain playing experience, and he has been doing that for a few weeks now. He needs minutes and confidence. That’s especially important for a striker. We signed him because we are convinced of his qualities. I hope that after his brace, he will continue to let his performance speak for itself in the coming weeks.
