VfL Bochum have by no means completed their 2024/2025 squad planning. The sporting director emphasized this after the first test match
VfL Bochum kicked off the 2024/2025 preparation series with a 3:1 win at Westphalian Oberliga club Rot Weiss Ahlen.
After the game, Forecasting spoke to Marc Lettau, VfL Bochum’s sporting director.
Marc Lettau, how would you sum up the first test match?
There’s still a long way to go before we’re in perfect shape – but also in terms of the time it takes to get started. But I’ve actually got out of the habit of judging the first one, two or three test matches. It’s also part of the game that you get annoyed at the start. But we’ll get through all that.
What is the current status of the squad planning?
Squad planning is an ongoing process. It’s very rare that the squad is complete on the first day of preparation and then stays that way. That’s why we’re very relaxed about it. We know exactly which profiles we are looking for. The moment we’re convinced that the player will strengthen us, we’ll go for it.
“Rot Weiss Ahlen – VfL Bochum July 06, 2024” src=“https://forecasting-sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1.183_norm-1.jpg” width=“680” height=“454” /☻
What positions is VfL Bochum still looking for?
The coach has already said that we are keeping our eyes and ears open in all parts of the team. We are willing to improve our quality and fill these positions accordingly.
Does VfL still have enough money in its account to make further transfers?
The squad planning is of course not just one-sided, there could also be departures.
Like Jordi Osei-Tutu. What is the situation here?
His potential is undisputed. He just hasn’t proven it with us in the long term. But we are still convinced that Jordi will make his way in soccer. He is fully committed and is fighting for his chance. The first week of training has been positive. Let’s see how it develops. with gp
Additions: Gerrit Holtmann (after loan to Darmstadt 98), Jordi Osei-Tutu (after loan to PAS Giannina), Paul Grave (after loan to WSV), Mats Pannewig (after loan to Wiedenbrück), Ibrahima Sissoko (Racing Strasbourg), Dani de Wit (Alkmaar), Ivan Ordets (Dinamo Moscow), Samuel Bamba (Borussia Dortmund II), Niklas Jahn (1. FC Nürnberg II), Lennart Koerdt (own U19)
Departures: Takuma Asano (RCD Mallorca), Kevin Stöger (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Philipp Förster, Moritz Römling (both destination unknown), Gonçalo Paciência (after loan back to Celta Vigo), Keven Schlotterbeck (after loan back to SC Freiburg), Andreas Luthe, Michael Esser (both career end), Danilo Soares (1. FC Nürnberg), Patrick Osterhage (SC Freiburg)