Manfred Schwabl brought on this promotion problem himself. Last summer, SpVgg Unterhaching brought in warhorses like René Vollath for goal, Maximilian Welzmüller or Mathias Fetsch to an already good regional league team – so it was not surprising that the team was crowned champions four games before the end. And also not about the fact that so many are now asking: do you handle the licensing or not? Does the team even compete in the promotion games to the third division? If not, the Würzburger Kickers should step in as second in the table.
But Haching’s president hasn’t come out with the language yet. Not even a general meeting and about 150 pairs of curious eyes could soften him on Thursday evening. “We’ll do everything we can to get this license,” he said, after all, “it would be negligent not to do that.” He was “positively optimistic” that it would work, he added – and probably meant: cautiously optimistic.
The 57-year-old did not say why he was delaying the decision for so long – the requirements of the German Football Association to obtain the license came three weeks ago. never mind Schwabl is an entertainer, he always raised the mood in the event tent with anecdotes and short interviews with club legends. As an aside, a transfer coup was also announced: none other than Hermann Gerland offered to work as an advisor in youth work. The former junior manager of FC Bayern is currently still the assistant coach of the German U21. He himself suggested helping in Unterhaching with the training of coaches and players for the lower teams.
As far as the future of the first team is concerned, Schwabl has the following view: He believes that the majority of humanity still hasn’t understood that professional football, and in particular the third division, is becoming a high-risk undertaking. Haching was able to afford the current squad last year. It certainly didn’t hurt that the association received a donation of 1.6 million euros in the 2021/22 financial year, as was announced at the meeting. But then the procrastination of medium-sized partners and the general explosion in costs meant that the players’ salaries could no longer be paid on time – as happened in January and February.
The squad would currently hardly be suitable for the third division, especially since some top performers and coach Sandro Wagner will leave. In order to be competitive, the game association would have to spend even more money than is expected in additional income. It is quite possible that Schwabl’s stomach ache on the subject of promotion stems from the fact that he sees no financial chance of staying in the league for more than one season.
The Kickers will probably have to wait a little longer for a final decision from Unterhaching
Members did, however, hear some news. So the still very young, but longstanding Unterhachinger coach Marc Unterberger will succeed Sandro Wagner. The 34-year-old confidante of Schwabl is currently still head of the youth academy (where he is most likely to be succeeded by Thomas Kasparetti, the current assistant coach of the first team). Unterberger does not have the necessary license for the third division, but would receive a special permit. Which of course also means that if Unterhaching decides to play the promotion games against the champions of the Northeast Regional League and also prevail, the team would be led by a novice, who would then also have to complete the training for the highest coaching license at the same time.
In the meantime, it can be heard from those around the team that the purely sporting performance behind all the license talk was given too little attention. Incidentally, Schwabl confirmed a rumor after the meeting when asked by SZ that the players had waived bonuses during the season. These will only be paid now, for the established championship. “It’s a matter of strong character,” said Schwabl, who is said to have been quite emotionally reserved in the title-deciding 2-0 win in Vilzing a week ago. Now, in front of a home crowd, so to speak, the team was celebrated and Schwabl emphasized the performance of coach Wagner: “Sandro is leaving big footprints!”
The sporty preparation for the promotion games is underway. Most regular players should be rested in the next two games, a short training camp is pending. When asked when it would be fair to inform second-placed Würzburger Kickers of the final decision, Schwabl said: “Certainly eight days in advance.” The promotion first leg would take place against Energie Cottbus on June 7th, against Rot-Weiss Erfurt on June 1st. Cottbus welcomes Erfurt to the top game this Saturday and would be crowned champions with a win.
