sv98.de: Rüdiger, 26 match days have been played in the 1st Bundesliga so far. It is the expected difficult season. How do you classify the overall situation?
Rüdiger Fritsch: With a huge effort, we all achieved promotion to the Bundesliga together. Our SV Darmstadt 98 were in a battle with a lot of very big clubs but we achieved this just in time for our 125th birthday. This is outstanding and the result of the solidarity and cooperation of so many people in and around the club. Anyone who has followed our journey together over the last few years will see what we have achieved together, regardless of individual game results. We have now established ourselves in professional football, are financially stable at our level and are pleased about the positive external perception.
And as far as the “difficult season” is concerned, that has unfortunately proven to be more true than we perhaps admitted at the beginning. However, when viewed in light, nothing has happened so far that was not previously imaginable. And importantly: we always have to keep our heads up!
sv98.de: You mentioned that there are still eight games to play after the international break, and we are currently six points behind the relegation place. How do you look forward to the rest of the season?
Fritsch: First of all, we have to self-critically state that this season, as in previous years, we have not yet managed to make the most of our limited economic possibilities. But now the crucial weeks are coming up with games against the teams from the lower table region. Let’s combine all our strengths together once again – with a good mix of full concentration and „Druff Kapell“ attitude. Nobody should write us off too soon.
sv98.de: “Joining forces” also means including all fan groups, right?
Fritsch: That’s exactly how it is. It’s not an easy season for all fans of the Lilies, losing too often is just no fun. But what happened in the stadium on Saturday against Bayern was the Bölle as it lives and breathes and as we all love it so, so much. The processing of the incidents from the Augsburg game definitely does not take place in every club with this openness and clarity. A lot went wrong on the day of the game against Augsburg, but I am grateful for the process of coming to terms with it and the way of self-reflection. The logical and good insight is that “We Lilies” are actually “All of us”.
sv98.de: What is the status of filling the position of sporting director?
Fritsch: We are proceeding with this new appointment in a structured manner and with a clear concept. The position is definitely important, but we won’t allow ourselves to be pushed into making quick decisions. We are not looking for the first, but rather the best for the lilies in our opinion and it is by no means the case that we are currently unable to act. The scouting department is still there, the “engine room” is functioning. This was also shown by the past winter transfer period with three new additions. We need a specialist who can use his expertise and good network to guide our squad composition and, as a result, raise the squad to an even better level. And that while recognising our framework conditions. To put it bluntly: this expert doesn’t grow on the trees of the Darmstadt city forest. However, we are confident that we will be able to report enforcement in a timely manner.
