After SV Darmstadt 98's 1-0 friendly win against Mainz 05, Paul Fernie was available to speak to the journalists present in a media round at the Bruchwegstadion. The Lilien's sports director spoke about the search for a coach, explained the requirements profile of a new head coach and gave insights into the discussions we had with Torsten Lieberknecht. We have put together the most important statements for you.
Sunday was a sad day for us as a club. A separation is never easy – especially not with a person like Torsten, who has experienced so many ups and downs here in Darmstadt in recent years. Torsten is not only a good coach, but also an outstanding person. It was basically the case that we sat together the day after a game. The conversations between me and Torsten on Sunday morning were very intense and emotional, but also very open and honest. The game at the weekend was of course an issue, as was our sporting situation in general. When I drove to Bölle on Sunday morning, I didn’t expect that I would have to find a new trainer that afternoon. I didn’t have that in my head yet. But after the discussions with Torsten, I didn’t have the 100% conviction to change his mind and carry on together with him.
There is not just a single moment like Elversberg. There is the whole history of this club. Not only the last few weeks, but also the last 15 months have done something to the club. Darmstadt has shown a lot of patience with coaches in the past – including Torsten. But we also have to take sporting development into account. Football is a results sport, Torsten himself said that in his video message. And we have to make sure we get results again as quickly as possible.
The human aspects and skills are elementary in our search for trainers. We need a person and coach who fits our club – someone who knows what it means to wear the lily on his chest. A coach at Darmstadt 98 must have a certain personality as well as charisma, passion and energy. In addition, his views must match the nature of our DNA on the field. The coach must be able to work with people and develop the players individually and a team as a whole. He also needs experience as a coach – experience in the 1st and 2nd league is of course an advantage.
We have had good discussions and are on the right track. The new coach should be there as quickly as possible. Because we have an important game ahead of us against Braunschweig. The aim is to have the new coach in place before this game.
A coach will come who is currently not under contract. Age doesn’t matter. In my career I’ve learned that it’s not about how old you are, it’s about how good you are. I haven’t spoken to any trainers I’ve worked with yet. We also talk to trainers who have already worked in Germany.
I have my shortlist. I was always prepared in case something like that could happen. Part of my job is to remain professional. It would be unprofessional if I waited for the moment and wasn’t prepared. We know what we need. We know what we want. We know which profile suits our team and our club.
Darmstadt is a special football location. You can see that just by how many people have contacted me in the last few days. I had to charge my phone several times a day (smiles). I also learned on my first days what it means to wear the Lily on my chest. We are an attractive location. We have a team with a lot of quality, but still has room for improvement to be able to play a good season. Overall, I have not yet received any rejections in my discussions with potential trainers.
Technique and tactics as well as physical and mental elements: none of that was right on Saturday. If one of these pillars doesn’t fit, you can perhaps get over it – but not if all four pillars don’t fit. If you’re not prepared to perform at your best, something like what happened in Elversberg can happen. Such a performance is definitely not what we want. After the game we were all very emotional. Emotions are part of football. The day after, however, it was important to deal with the situation objectively, professionally and in a solution-oriented manner. We did that together with the team.
We wanted to show that the game in Elversberg was an exception. We showed that. Our performance today was good, even if it was just a test match. It was important that the boys got their minutes. A 1-0 win like this is good for us.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
