Sports director Gaetano Manno was on the pitch for Wuppertaler SV at the NRW-Traditionsmasters. He also spoke about a player on loan from VfL Bochum.

On Sunday, the 41-year-old impressively demonstrated that Gaetano Manno is still on fire a few years after his time in professional soccer. He took to the artificial turf for Wuppertaler SV at the NRW Traditionsmasters – and shone in the group match against Schalke with a dream goal before being yellow-carded for complaining and almost sent off.

“That’s part of it in the hall, the ambition is still there even in old age,” Manno said with a grin a little later. The WSV sporting director did not make it past the group stage with his team. After draws against Schalke and the Mülheim Allstars, the Bergisch team missed the chance to reach the semi-finals in the last game against Rot-Weiss Essen.

Nevertheless, Manno looked back on a successful debut with the tournament newcomers in Mülheim’s Westenergie-Halle. “It’s a lot of fun here, especially with this squad. A great event,” praised the German-Italian with the number ten on his back.

The Wuppertal team had already been in action in the hall the day before. However, it was the regional league team that triumphed at the city championship with new coach Ersan Parlatan. “That was a good start for the new coach,” said Manno. “Now it’s about continuing to work hard in preparation so that we get off to a good start. “

Parallel to the performance of the traditional team, the fourth-division professionals followed up with their first test match victory. They beat Oberliga side TSG Sprockhövel 2:1 on Sunday.

They continue on Thursday against ASC Dortmund before the WSV squad travels to Turkey for a week-long training camp on January 14. Sporting director Manno will of course also be on board – and possibly new signings for the rest of the series?

“There’s nothing new to report,” said Manno on Sunday, referring to the search for a goalkeeper and a left-back. “Those are the two positions where we have a need.” Max-Migel Schmeling is still considered a candidate for the defensive wing-back position. “An interesting, very good player,” confirmed Manno. Talks with the experienced 23-year-old, who most recently played for TuS Bövinghausen, have already taken place.

Jovan Jovic is a possible candidate to fill the gap in the goalkeeping team left by the suspension of regular keeper Sebastian Patzler. The 21-year-old from SC Paderborn II is currently on trial at WSV and played one half in the test against Sprockhövel.

WSV plan to use Bochum loanee as number one

“We’re looking for someone who has the potential to be number one and is ambitious,” said Manno. That Paul Grave will be between the posts for the rest of the series opener against Schalke II (February 3) and beyond is still “the clear plan”.

The 22-year-old came on loan from VfL Bochum last summer and was supposed to gain match practice at WSV. However, Grave initially had to line up behind Patzler. After his suspension, he made his first three appearances in the regional league. “It’s always up to the player himself whether he asserts himself,” Manno said of Grave. “He’s done very, very well in his appearances. We want to build on that. “