Letsch leaves Vitesse and moves directly to Bundesliga club Bochum

Vitesse has to look for a new trainer. Thomas Letsch immediately makes the switch to VfL Bochum, the number eighteen in the Bundesliga.

Both clubs have agreed on a transfer fee, which is said to be half a million euros. Letsch, who has signed with Bochum until mid-2024, will also take assistant Jan Fiesser to the Ruhr area.

“Thomas indicated a few days ago that he respected his contract with Vitesse, but that he would like to take the opportunity to work in the Bundesliga for the first time in his career,” said technical director Benjamin Schmedes.

“We were willing to participate in this, provided we reached an agreement with VfL Bochum. We are very grateful to Thomas for everything he has done and meant for Vitesse.”

Letsch herself wanted to work at the highest German level. “On the one hand, I am sorry to leave Vitesse after more than two years, because I have enjoyed every moment from the beginning to the end. On the other hand, I wanted to take the opportunity to coach a team in the Bundesliga. “

The 54-year-old German was in his third season in Arnhem. In his first year he reached the cup final with his team, he finished fourth and Vitesse directly reached European football. That led to a successful adventure in the Conference League: Vitesse survived the group stage and made an impression against teams such as Anderlecht, Tottenham Hotspur and Stade Rennes.

Vitesse finished sixth last year and has had a disappointing start in the Eredivisie this season. Four of the seven games were lost, there were two draws and only once were the three points for the Arnhem club, which occupies fourteenth place.

Bochum has also not started well this season. The club is last in the Bundesliga. Before coming to Vitesse, Letsch worked for Austria Wien and Red Bull Salzburg (in youth and as an assistant), among others.