Marc-Nicolai Pfeifer is the new boss at Rot-Weiss Essen. Of course, he also spoke about his work at TSV 1860 Munich.

Marc-Nicolai Pfeifer took around 40 minutes to answer all the questions from the journalists present at his presentation as the new boss of Rot-Weiss Essen on Monday, July 1, 2024.

There were also questions that were perhaps not among the most pleasant topics. For example, one media colleague asked how he intends to deal with the sometimes complicated RWE fan scene, some of which can also be classified as politically right-wing. Or: What is his conclusion after three and a half years at 1860 Munich?

Marc-Nicolai Pfeifer on…

… the sometimes difficult fan scene at Rot-Weiss Essen: “I don’t think it’s right to talk about people without getting to know them and having met them. My first priority is to get together with people and seek dialog. Of course we want to try to find common ground that is in the interests of Rot-Weiss Essen. Because at the end of the day, everyone wants RWE to do well and the club to be successful. You also have to try to steer things that may not be in the interests of Rot-Weiss Essen so that everyone can live with them.”

… his association with the term “Rot-Weiss Essen”: “Three years ago, I actually didn’t look away from my employer very much. Regardless of that, when it comes to the impact of the club, the tradition, the history, the environment, the fans, then I’m already aware of where I am now. There have been many congratulations from soccer experts in the last few days, who all say that this is a great club. RWE has been on a very good path in recent years and we want to continue that. “

I was recruited for the KGaA via the e.V. at the time and found the right conditions. In the interests of the KGaA, I then tried to keep an eye on profitability as best I could so that we could ultimately create a good starting position for the sport. But, once again: this financing model is not planned for Rot-Weiss Essen

Marc-Nicolai Pfeifer

.. a cross-comparison between RWE and his former club 1860: “I would also like to include Stuttgarter Kickers here. These are clubs with a great tradition, with many members and also successes in the past. Everyone here would like to be able to build on these times again. At the same time, I notice things here that are on a higher level than my former clubs. For example, the great infrastructure and the stadium, which will be expanded even further in the future. That could also become a competitive advantage once again. I also think that the sources of income in sponsorship and merchandising are different to my former club. There are no marketers or other sources of income here. We already have a very good starting position here, which we want to expand and develop further”

… his alleged closeness to 1860 investor Hasan Isamik and the investor model in soccer: “After I signed my contract in Essen, I briefly noticed that people around me were wondering whether the strategy was being changed and the current financing model was being questioned. But, no: that’s definitely not the case. That was never an issue in the discussions. On the contrary: the aim here is to build something substantial and perhaps achieve more in one area or another. That’s why, from a strategic point of view, adapting or changing the financing model is by no means an objective.

Looking back, in Munich I was not the one who initiated the financing model. Back then, I was recruited for the KGaA via the e.V. and found the circumstances. I then tried, in the interests of the KGaA, to keep an eye on profitability in the best possible way so that we could ultimately create a good starting position for the sport. But, once again: this financing model is not intended for Rot-Weiss Essen.”

… his conclusion after three and a half years at TSV 1860 Munich: “I’m never completely satisfied. That’s where I completely shut down my existence. I’m just too ambitious a person. But I do believe that the environment at 1860 appreciated our work. We always worked as a team. We were very hard-working. Nevertheless, you always want sporting success, of course. In the end, we stayed in the league, so there’s not a lot of satisfaction here. “