Robin Dutt on gardening leave
Bochum, 26.08.2019
Head Coach Robin Dutt has left VfL Bochum 1848 with immediate effect. This decision was made after a series of intense discussions and analyses after the 3-3 home draw against SV Wehen Wiesbaden last Saturday.
At the press conference after the match, Dutt raised questions about his own future, before reaffirming those concerns after training on Sunday. This led to talks between him, the VfL management and Chairman Hans-Peter Villis.
Robin Dutt did a great deal for VfL Bochum. He took over the team in a very difficult situation and quickly guided the team out of it, ensuring VfL retained its place in the second division. In the second half of the 2018/19 season, the team did not perform as well as expected, in part due to a large number of injured players.
At the start of the current season, the team underwent a radical change, knowing full well that this could lead to difficult situations in the season ahead; VfL understands the need to allow this development process the necessary time to succeed. Robin Dutt has always had the confidence of the club to oversee this, something he has also openly admitted.
However, with the coach unexpectedly questioning himself so publicly after only four matches of the regular season, it was clear that the club had to have talks with Robin and the coaching staff.­ The board invited Robin to have his personal views heard by the whole board on Monday morning, so as to articulate his point of view and the reason as to his comments during the press conference on Saturday. He was unfortunately unavailable to meet.
In assessing the overall situtaion, the board came to the decision that the team would struggle to follow a coach who has such deep reservations about his own role in the project at VfL, as seen by the comments made on the weekend. In light of this, the board decided that the team needed a new boost in the face of a new manager.
VfL Bochum 1848 thanks Robin Dutt for his cooperation and will inform supporters about any other developments in due course.
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