When Dynamo Dresden take on MSV Duisburg on Sunday, it will be a trip down memory lane for Dynamo’s co-coach Heiko Scholz.

MSV Duisburg vs Dynamo Dresden (Saturday, 1pm, RevierSport live ticker): For Heiko Scholz, this is a very special third league match-up.

The 56-year-old has been Dynamo’s co-coach since December 2019, but also worked for MSV for seven and a half years during his career. RevierSport spoke to Heiko Scholz ahead of the clash between the two clubs.

In Duisburg, for example, I was never granted the opportunity to be head coach. Hellmich also told me that he saw me more as a co-coach, perhaps he also wanted to protect me. Because he probably would have been reluctant to dismiss me (laughs). We simply had a good relationship.

Heiko Scholz

Heiko Scholz about…

.. his MSV time: “I spent seven and a half years in Duisburg and have to say that it was a great time. We built a good team, and the stadium was also built during that time. Of course with the great help of Walter Hellmich, with whom I always got on well. MSV was my first professional coaching stint and it will therefore always be a special time.”

… special memories: “When I left, the whole MSV fan curve celebrated me. I will never forget that. I always stayed true to myself and was simply the ‘Scholle’. Everyone could talk to me. I think people in the Ruhr area like that just as much as here in Dresden. Sven Beuckert, the current MSV goalkeeper coach, was my player back then. We’ll see each other again on Sunday. Otherwise, hardly anyone from my MSV days is still in Duisburg. Uwe Schubert, the head of the NLZ, comes to mind. “

.. the last sporting years of MSV: “With the name, the stadium, the fans, MSV naturally has to play in the higher league. Duisburg has everything to play in the 1st or 2nd league. Unfortunately, however, MSV doesn’t just have 40 million euros at its disposal, like we don’t in Dresden, where you can maybe burn another 20 million euros. Every decision has to be right, every transfer has to be right. And unfortunately, we haven’t been so lucky in the last few years. But things are looking good again at MSV at the moment. We’re definitely in for a tough trip to Duisburg.”

… Dresden’s start to the season: “Maybe one or two points are missing. But we are not dissatisfied. You can see how difficult this 3rd division is, for example, with Aue. After our relegation, the disappointment was felt everywhere and was huge. We first had to get people to believe in a new start in the 3rd Division. I believe that we have done that with Markus Anfang, who is a top coach and a stroke of luck for Dresden, and our coaching team. I hope that Anfang will continue to work at Dynamo for a very long time.”

… his own head coaching ambitions: “I am realistic and know where my place is at the moment: here in Dresden. I don’t know what the future will bring. I’m satisfied at the moment, but I’m not a dreamer either. In Duisburg, for example, I was never allowed to be head coach. Hellmich also told me that he sees me more as a co-coach, maybe he wanted to protect me. Because he probably would have been reluctant to dismiss me (laughs). We just had a good relationship. “