Offenbach – Thomas Sobotzik can hardly wait for next Tuesday. Then the Regionalliga Südwest meets and the clubs are connected via video conference. It could be one of the most important gatherings of the season.
BY JÖRG MOLL
Because the managing director of Offenbacher Kickers is finally hoping for planning security.
Regardless of how, when and whether the 2019/20 season is continued at all, the OFC manager is currently shaping the club’s future. And in the midst of the pandemic-related crisis mood, the ex-professional is combative and optimistic. “We are not so wrong,” he says, referring to the early and two-year contract extension with main sponsor EVO. In addition, an agreement with another top partner is imminent. The club has currently classified six companies as so-called top partners. In addition to the Offenbach public utilities, the Rhein-Main-Rohstoffe (RMR), the CG Group and the Peters Group, these are equipment suppliers Nike and Sparda Bank Hessen. “In addition, there is the sensational support of fans who have bought more than 7000 ghost tickets,” emphasizes Sobotzik.
It therefore seems as if Kickers Offenbach, a long-term financially staunch crisis patient, could survive one of the biggest stress tests in society since the Second World War relatively harmlessly.
And so, despite the uncertainties surrounding the continuation of the regional league, Sobotzik is working on personnel planning for the future. He is currently in discussions with the team’s players. The goal: “Everyone gets an assessment of their situation from us.”
Coach Angelo Barletta would much prefer it to continue the season. “Because then I could get a picture of everyone on the square again,” he explains.
Since Sobotzik took office in autumn last year, the Kickers have not given any details about the content of the contract. But according to information in this newspaper, twelve players will be under contract for the coming season. Goalkeepers Dominik Draband (24) and Felix Ferahyan (21), defenders Maurice Pluntke (26), Sebastian Bäumeniecki (25) and Ronny Marcos (26), for midfield captain Maik Vetter (28), Tim Dierßen (24), Luka Garic, Leonidas Tiliudis (both 19), Serkan Firat (26), the veterans Richard Weil (32) and Luigi Campagna (30). The biggest changes could occur in the attack. Only the working paper from Winterzugang Pelle Hoppe (20) is still valid from July 1st.
“We talk to all players, including those who have contracts,” Sobotzik emphasizes. Due to the uncertainty, he is preparing for a complicated transfer phase in which many decisions could be made late. “We initially plan with a core squad of 16 to 18 players,” he explains.
Sobotzik wants to see how a future regional league is composed. Should the season be broken off, relegation could be suspended and the league could be significantly enlarged with promoted players. “It is completely unclear whether we have 16 teams in the class or 24,” says the OFC managing director. The temporal contract coordinates – beginning: July 1st of the year, end: June 30th – remain the basis of all negotiations. There is no alternative to the economically adapted behavior: “We will not do any crazy things.” Even if the selection on the transfer market were unimagined. If the professional clubs from the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga reduce their squad due to savings constraints, the waves will beat down, Sobotzik suspects.
But apparently the first reinforcements are already under lock and key, even if Sobotzik seals off and does not comment on speculation. One of these is: Marco Kritzenburg, a native of Krotzenburg (25), once at Bayern Alzenau on the ball and until June with the second of the Regionalliga Bayern, 1. FC Schweinfurt, under contract, comes to Bieberer Berg. The right-back has developed into a regular in his third season in Schweinfurt, missing in 23 games only once due to an injury.
Source: op-online.de
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