322 members were on hand at MSV Duisburg’s annual general meeting at the Theater am Marientor on Wednesday evening. The club has set a long-term goal. Promotion should be achieved by 2025 at the latest.
When MSV President Ingo Wald stepped in front of the microphone on Wednesday evening, the 64-year-old once again looked back on the disappointing past two years. “We as the board are responsible for that,” Wald apologised, but he quickly turned his gaze back to the future in his board report.
In a vision paper, Wald showed the “clear path” of MSV Duisburg. It was important to work closely together on and off the pitch in order to lead the club back to the top. The vision: in 2025, MSV Duisburg should be back on the road in the second division. “Why don’t you stop dreaming?” one member immediately shouted to the front. Wald replied that dreaming must be allowed.
In the ensuing debate, some members had their say, as usual, but far fewer than in October 2021. In any case, the discussions were much more peaceful than at the last AGM.
Members have confidence in Ralf Heskamp
In particular, Duisburg’s new sporting director Ralf Heskamp and his new sporting direction received a lot of praise. “I have the feeling that finally an expert is at work,” said one fan, who in return, however, could only smile at Wald’s announced three-year plan. “This thing is repetitive. Three years ago they said we wanted to be back in the second division by 2022. “
As he did after Ivica Grlic’s resignation, Wald offered the assembly the option of voting him out at any time. “Feel free to take on as a team. The possibility exists, but it has not been accepted,” said the president, who received much applause from the stands afterwards.
Even if the financial situation at the Zebras is less tense than it was some time ago, it is clear to every Duisburger: In order to survive in the long run, the club has to return to the second division. “The third league will not bring us a positive result. We will always be in the red,” emphasised Wald. It is not without reason that there has been repeated talk of “death in instalments” in the past.