Coach Zeljko Pesic of German football club 1&1 abruptly left a post-match press conference following a 2-1 defeat to SV Waldhof in the 3. Liga, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at the 1&1 Arena in Kassel, with officials confirming the coach’s exit without immediate explanation.
Pesic, 58, had led 1&1 to a 10th-minute lead through a header from striker Lukas Kranzbühler, but Waldhof’s 67th-minute equalizer and a 78th-minute winner by forward Marvin Bürki sealed the loss. The team now sits 14th in the 18-team league, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, though the result has intensified scrutiny over their defensive inconsistencies.
Witnesses described the press conference as tense, with reporters asking about tactical adjustments and player fitness. When asked about the 1&1 defense, which has conceded 28 goals in 22 games, Pesic reportedly responded, “We need to play better,” before leaving the room. A spokesperson for 1&1 stated, “The coach has requested time to address internal matters and will provide further comments soon.”
What does this mean for 1&1’s season?
The defeat extends 1&1’s winless run to three matches, raising concerns about their ability to secure a top-half finish. The team’s 12th-place position ahead of the game had been buoyed by a 4-1 victory over Erzgebirge Aue in early March, but recent performances have drawn criticism. Defender Timo Schäfer, who conceded the equalizer, told Spiegel, “We need to regroup. Zeljko has always pushed us to improve, and we’ll do whatever it takes to get back on track.”
League officials have not commented on the press conference incident, but the 3. Liga’s disciplinary committee has a history of investigating abrupt exits. In 2021, coach Christian Schlosser of Würzburger Kickers faced a fine after leaving a press conference mid-sentence. A source familiar with the league’s protocols told Der Spiegel, “While the rules don’t explicitly address this scenario, prolonged absences can trigger reviews.”
What’s next for 1&1?
The club’s next match is a home fixture against MS
