From 2008 to 2013 Maurice Exslager played for MSV Duisburg. We ask the former crowd favorite: What does Maurice Exslager actually do?

It was almost 13 years and six months ago to the day when Maurice Exslager played his first game for the professionals of MSV Duisburg. The then 19-year-old made his debut on April 24, 2010 in the 2nd division against SC Paderborn and promptly scored his first goal (final score: 2:3). Prior to that, Exslager played for two years in the Zebras’ youth team.

After his debut against Paderborn, he would go on to play another 74 competitive games for his heart’s club before moving to 1. FC Köln in 2013. The center forward was also used in the 2011 DFB Cup final against FC Schalke 04 (0:5). You can tell those days are long gone. Currently, Duisburg is bottom of the 3rd division and has its back to the wall. Nevertheless, Exslager is still infected with the MSV virus.

We asked Exslager, who is now 32 years old, “What is actually doing…? Maurice Exslager?”

“I am a branch manager at Deutsche Vermögensberatung and opened my own office in Wesel in April. In my office, I look after almost 500 customers and am generally accessible to everyone. On 01.12. we will even expand and get more capacity, because we have grown very rapidly, whether in the customer area or in partner acquisition. That is of course very gratifying,” explains Exslager.

The ex-professional adds: “I’m always open to talking to people about a professional perspective. It doesn’t matter whether they come from the field, are career changers or athletes. It is often the case that athletes are looking for a performance-oriented job after their active career. There are a lot of parallels to soccer in my career field. That’s why I decided to do this at the time.”

Even though the native of Bocholt has enough to do himself with his full-time job, soccer naturally remains his great passion. MSV Duisburg in particular is causing the former attacker concern at the moment. After the false start and the renewed changes in the sporting leadership, there is once again pure chaos around the Margaretenstraße.

Just when things are going badly, the supposed legends come around the corner and always know everything better. Many are particularly good at pouring more oil on the fire. But you also have to remember that these people were professionals at completely different times, when MSV still had other financial possibilities. It’s always easy to say that everything was great in the past and everything is bad now.

Maurice Exslager.

“Just when things are going badly, the supposed legends come around the corner and always know everything better. Many are particularly good at adding fuel to the fire. But you also have to remember that these people were professionals at completely different times, when MSV still had other financial possibilities. It’s always easy to say that everything was great in the past and everything is bad now. That is very adventurous. It’s not my place to judge any decisions. I’m too far away for that,” stresses the 95-time second-league player.

Exslager continues: “Nevertheless, you have to face reality. The reality is the fight for survival in the 3rd League. You can’t sugarcoat that, but I’m also not a fan of hammering away at it now. As a fan, I see the whole thing from a distance. That hurts, of course. With the fans, the stadium and the tradition, MSV doesn’t belong in this league, but that’s not how the system works. I hope that the club doesn’t break because of the situation. The last thing you need now is for MSV to lose the fans.”

For MSV Duisburg, the big derby against Rot-Weiss Essen is scheduled for Saturday (October 28, 2 p.m.). Exslager will also be live in the stadium to keep his fingers crossed for the Zebras: “The game is brutally important. RWE has played a very stable round so far. A derby like this is always a chance to make amends. But even with a win, not everything would suddenly be great. Of course, I would like MSV to win and perhaps start a series. The worst-case scenario of relegation to the regional league must not occur. I think that would make things look very bleak. The important thing will be that realism and self-reflection come first. “