It's not just a return to Bismarckstraße for yourself but also the first time for VfL Bochum on the Bundesliga stage in eleven years. How important was promotion for the club that can look back at 34 years in the top-flight?
Kaenzig: The ambition was always there but the means were not always comparable with those of the competition. However, it is part of the Bochum DNA to make a lot out of a little. At the same time, we were convinced we would get promoted at some point. I believe success in football can be planned – just not the timescale. We were promoted at just the right time given the background of the coronavirus pandemic and very strong teams relegated from the Bundesliga from Bremen and Gelsenkirchen. Of course, fortune also plays a part but that favours the brave as we know. Now we want to establish the club where it belongs. VfL have not be promoted but have returned instead.
You started working at VfL Bochum early in 2018. At that time the team was involved in a relegation battle but two years later the group took off after the coronavirus lockdown and were promoted in 2021. What were the main reasons for this outstanding sporting development?
Kaenzig: As management, we were involved with the club at a difficult point in time four years ago. In our eyes, continuity is the main factor for success in modern football. Continuity breeds the required calm and that calm only develops from mutual trust, and trust only flourishes within clear structures. With a few hiccups, we succeeded in doing that from the start. The trend was upwards and positive off the pitch. We were able to improve turnover and the popularity with the fans is continually increasing. We will continue to focus on continuity in the Bundesliga – that has worked pretty well for us up to now.
What role does the coach Thomas Reis play in this framework?
Kaenzig: He is the right man in the right place at the right time. He has a great touch. Leadership is a basic requirement at clubs like Bochum – VfL traditionally has a lot of strong characters in the team, a really varied group. Young, old, national and international. Thomas does a brilliant job of managing this team. He doesn't let anybody fall by the wayside but he still applies performance principles. It's very pleasant working with him day-to-day.
Against this background, is it no coincidence that both the head coach Thomas Reis as well as the sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz used to play for VfL?
Kaenzig: It would be unfair to everybody who didn't have that. For example, Robin Dutt (predecessor to Thomas Reis, ed.) did an outstanding job. Of course, it was an advantage for Thomas and Sebastian in having that trust when they started. But I'm sure they would have been successful elsewhere.
Staying up is definitely the main target. If that happens, what are the medium-term ambitions for a club like VfL Bochum 1848?
Kaenzig: If we stay up then it's a huge success for everybody involved. And then it will become even tougher. We are aware of that. You are generally well established in the third Bundesliga season – look at Union Berlin. We want to close the gap to the clubs above us quicker than it built up in our eleven years in the second division. That is definitely possible at Bochum even if it is a big challenge.
