The ball is rolling again this weekend in the 3. Liga. Ahead of the start of the second half of the season, Forecasting spoke with an experienced 3. Liga coach: Torsten Ziegner.
Friday, January 16, 7:00 p.m.: Matchday 20 in the 3. Liga kicks off with the Bavarian derby between SSV Jahn Regensburg and FC Ingolstadt.
On Saturday (2 p.m. at TSV 1860 Munich) and Sunday (1:30 p.m. at VfB Stuttgart II), the Ruhr Valley clubs Rot-Weiss Essen and MSV Duisburg will also join the action in the 3rd League.
Ahead of the start of the second half of the season, Forecasting spoke with former Zebras coach Torsten Ziegner, who was in charge at Wedau from May 2022 to September 2023 (49 competitive matches—average of 1.2 points per game).
With 193 games under his belt—for clubs FSV Zwickau, Würzburger Kickers, and MSV Duisburg—the 48-year-old coach is an expert on the 3. Liga.
Torsten Ziegner, you’ve been without a coaching job since September 2023. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
At this point, I have to say it’s a bad thing. At first, you enjoy the time and focus more on your family again. You do things that had fallen by the wayside before. I’ve also continued my education through various coaching internships. But now I’m ready to get back out there. I’m eager and want to be back on the sidelines.
Which coaches and clubs did you observe?
At 1. FC Köln under Steffen Baumgart, at RB Leipzig under Marco Rose, and most recently under Uwe Rösler at VfL Bochum. It was really fun to look over my colleagues’ shoulders.
You’re 48 years old and an experienced coach. What added value do such observation stints still offer?
A coach must always be self-critical. Self-reflection is very important. But that should actually apply not just to coaches, but to everyone. You can always learn from other experts and pick up tips from them. But, of course: In the end, you should also stay true to your own approach.
I have to say honestly that the relegation did the club a world of good. At the time it happened, it was of course a bitter experience. In hindsight, however, it was a stroke of luck.
Torsten Ziegner
How do you actually look back on your time at MSV Duisburg between May 2022 and September 2023?
Very positively, without any hard feelings. It was an exciting time at a major club that’s a household name in German soccer. Thanks to its members and many fans, MSV has tremendous appeal. I have to say honestly that the relegation did the club a world of good. At the time it happened, it was, of course, a bitter experience. In hindsight, though, it was a stroke of luck. New structures were put in place, new people were brought in, and a new boss, Michael Preetz, was hired—someone who charted a different course. That course would prove to be the right one.
What differences do you see compared to your time there?
When I was at MSV, too many people were meddling and talking too much. On top of that, during my time at MSV, the club relied on players who were often past their prime. We then had to carry them through. Now the philosophy is that MSV brings in hungry young players who want to achieve something or who, after a career setback, are looking to make a comeback and are fully committed to the club.
How do you view MSV Duisburg’s current season?
MSV Duisburg is surprising everyone as a newly promoted team. But if you manage to carry the momentum from the Regionalliga with you, then you can put together a run like this. Ulm, Regensburg, Elversberg, Münster: all these clubs have shown the way in recent years and each celebrated a double promotion. MSV has retained all its key players and made targeted signings, even now during the winter transfer window.
Do you think MSV will ultimately follow in the footsteps of Münster, Elversberg, and the others?
It’s possible. But I don’t think it will be enough. I’d be happy to be proven wrong. In any case, I wish the club all the best.
So who will ultimately make it when it comes to promotion to the 2. Bundesliga?
SC Verl is having an outstanding season and is incredibly strong on the field. Hansa Rostock went through a difficult phase under coach Daniel Brinkmann and came out the other side. They’re stable now. Rot-Weiss Essen, with their formidable home form at Hafenstraße, is also very strong. And league-leading Energie Cottbus will play a key role as well. Pele Wollitz is being a bit understated. I’ll go out on a limb here: Cottbus and Verl will go straight up, while Rostock will go to the relegation playoffs.