Tears, pain and new goals: Fürth’s uncertain future

Fürth – Rachid Azzouzi kept wiping the tears from his face. In his most bitter moment as sports director in Fürth, the 51-year-old quickly looked ahead.

“We’ll attack again next year,” he promised after SpVgg Greuther Fürth was relegated to the Bundesliga early. “Rachid, Rachid” shouts echoed from the crowd of fans in the background, which elicited at least a brief smile from the former Moroccan international.

Azzouzi has a lot of work to do

“It hurts. But the tears dry again. It will go on again,” said Azzouzi, dabbing his cheeks dry with a handkerchief. Captain Branimir Hrgota, who buried his face in his shirt after the final whistle and then led his team into the fans’ corner, immediately wanted to “target re-promotion”. But with or without coach Stefan Leitl? And with which players?

The Franconians had been able to prepare for this moment for a long time. After all, they had been bottom of the table since September and relegation had seemed fixed for weeks. But when the transition to the 2nd league was decided after the 4-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, “it just didn’t feel good,” as Leitl reported. His emotional state was “simply shit”.

Leitl knows that things will not calm down for him in the next few days. After all, the question of his future remains unresolved. Although Leitl’s contract runs until 2023, a premature end to the all in all successful cooperation between the club and the coach had recently been indicated. An opt-out clause makes it possible. According to media reports, Leitl must pull this clause by the end of April. Schalke, Hertha and Hannover are said to be interested.

Azzouzi made it clear again on Saturday how the Franconians feel about further cooperation. “We offered him a long-term contract,” revealed the sporting director. But anyone who knows Leitl knows that the native of Munich is ambitious. So why the 2nd league when first-class football is possible?

Fürth threatens a squad change

While the trainer question remained unresolved for the time being, a squad change is considered certain. The question is how big this will be. The departure is fixed for midfielder Paul Seguin (to Union Berlin) and defender Maximilian Bauer (to Augsburg). The two regulars don’t pour any money into the Fürth coffers.

A larger sum – ideally in the millions – could bring Jamie Leweling. Money Azzouzi could invest in a competitive two-tier squad. The U21 national player, who is the second best goal scorer in Fürth this season with five goals, is one of the hot candidates for a change. The people of Fürth are said to have already received some inquiries in winter.

And captain Hrgota – with eight goals, Fürth’s top scorer this season? The Swede, who still has a contract in Fürth until 2024, was cautious about his future. “Nobody knows what it’s like in summer. We’ll see what the club plans,” said the striker. At the moment he is just happy that he can play in Fürth and act as captain.

One thing is certain: Azzouzi has a lot of work to do. Regulars will leave Fürth. Just like before this season, when David Raum (Hoffenheim) and Anton Stach (Mainz), two current national players, switched to the competition. But the plans, Azzouzi revealed, are already underway.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:220424-99-22578/2