Felix Passlack had already agreed to play for VfL Bochum when it was far from certain that they would stay in the league. One of the reasons was also coach Thomas Letsch.
The squad planning at VfL Bochum is far from complete. One newcomer who had already committed himself early on is Felix Passlack. Forecasting spoke to the 25-year-old and coach Thomas Letsch about the reasons.
20 April 2023: The 29th matchday is approaching and Bochum are just above the line in 15th place. Staying in the league is far from certain and yet on this day VfL announce the signing of Passlack, who moves to Castroper Straße from Borussia Dortmund.
Jumping into July 2023, the newcomer has had his first sessions in Bochum. 1500 fans had come to the Ruhrstadion for the training kick-off. “That’s exactly what I imagined with the atmosphere, which was already there a bit, but will of course be even bigger during games.”
As a child of the Ruhr district, Passlack had always been aware of VfL purely for spatial reasons. “Towards the end, I then followed the games even more intensively than it was in the home stretch with my transfer.” But how did it come to an agreement so early and with such uncertain sporting prospects?
Ruhrpott means quality of life for Felix Passlack
“The coach and Marc Lettau (technical director, editor’s note) convinced me in the talks. I knew there was a great team here, a great stadium and great fans.” Arguments that can be described as soft factors. “I come from the region and for me it is simply quality of life that I can stay here.”
But the hard, sporting factors were decisive in the foreground, he says. “The way the coach wants football to be played with high pressing suits me quite well.” The 25-year-old has a preferred system. “In the five-man backline, I tackle the flank as a track player. I think that’s my best position.”
He would also have played this position in a lower class. “I would also have gone to the second division. For me it was important to plan my future early on.” This attitude also impressed coach Letsch.
Letsch: “Felix has a desire for VfL Bochum”.
“The most important thing for me, apart from all the footballing quality, is that you have the feeling that someone has a desire for the job,” said the 54-year-old. “Felix comes from the Pott, he knows what he’s getting into and he knows VfL Bochum.”
Even if it wasn’t enough for the big breakthrough at BVB in the end, the team will benefit from his experience, he added. “He’s still a young guy who didn’t have it very easy at Dortmund, was on loan for various reasons.” The added value, therefore, cannot be determined by the number of competitive games played, he said.
“He is a player who is very flexible on the right side and has a natural aggressiveness.” Because he is a skilled offensive player, he also brings extreme danger up front. “That makes him an exciting package overall.”
It seems that two have found each other. “That’s exactly the player we wanted in the side. He could have said he’ll wait and if it’s not Bundesliga I’ll go somewhere else.” But he didn’t.
