Whether it likes it or not, MSV Duisburg is having to deal more and more intensively with the horror scenario of the Regionalliga West. Only two players are currently under contract for this league.
Five match days before the end of the 3rd division season, things look bleak for MSV Duisburg: They are eight points off the safety margin.
And: the main rivals currently occupying a non-relegation place, such as Waldhof Mannheim and Arminia Bielefeld, are in very good shape. Everything suggests that MSV will only be a fourth-tier club in 2024/2025.
“The hope is still that it is mathematically possible. We are investing all our energy in the last few games so that we can’t be accused of anything and maybe still make it in the end,” is how Chris Schmoldt describes the current situation at MSV.
However, the sporting director also emphasized to Forecasting: “We’re not stupid and can already sort it all out. It’s going to be damn difficult and we also have to be prepared for the regional league. Of course, there are ideas on how to approach the regional league. From the management side as well as from the sporting side. We are working on that.”
On Tuesday – April 16, 2024 – Forecasting named Mert Göckan, Aday Ercan (both Wuppertaler SV) and Elias Egouli (1. FC Düren) as three players that Duisburg are looking at for the regional league. “We are sticking to our line and will not comment on any names,” said Schmoldt, neither confirming nor denying interest in the trio.
MSV Duisburg: Only two players have working papers for the 4th division
If fans search the internet for the contract terms of Duisburg’s professional players, they will find eight names who are tied to Westender Straße beyond the current disastrous season. But appearances are deceptive.
Forecasting knows: The listed Alexander Esswein, Santiago Castaneda, Thomas Pledl, Hamza Anhari, Robin Müller and Benjamin Girth no longer have valid working papers in the event of relegation and can then leave Duisburg on a free transfer. With Maximilian Braune and Batuhan Yavuz (both until June 30, 2026, editor’s note), only two home-grown players – regardless of the league – will remain tied to MSV Duisburg from July 1, 2024
