Joint decision
In a way, 1. FC Nürnberg can announce its first winter signing for the offensive. Uche Obiogumu, who extended his contract with the club before the season and was loaned out to third division promoted club FC Schweinfurt 05, is returning to Valznerweiher with immediate effect after a less than successful first half of the season.
“After open and constructive discussions between all those involved, the decision was made to end the loan early in order to give the player new perspectives for his further sporting development at 1. FC Nürnberg,” says the “Schnüdel” statement.
Trainer “does not agree” in the meantime
After the first half of the season, the Schweinfurters are in last place in the 3rd league table with just six points from 19 games. Obiogumu himself was given few chances to change anything. The attacker has made four starting eleven appearances and six substitutions with zero goal involvements. Apparently the 21-year-old was unable to convince the coach of his qualities in the long term.
“I didn’t agree with him the last few weeks,” said Victor Kleinhenz in the Mainpost in September about the loan player, who didn’t play in five of the first six games of the season. The player’s subsequent positive reaction was apparently not sustainable enough.
Obiogumu self-critical
Obiogumu himself was also self-critical at the time: “I have to improve my defensive behavior and understanding of the game.” At the same time, he had the feeling that he was slowly adapting to the higher level: “I’m slowly getting there, that was a step in the right direction.”
However, the former German youth national team player was not satisfied with that: “I can do a lot more.” Judging by the termination of the loan, he was apparently no longer able to fully demonstrate this. “We are in communication. I am told to be patient,” was the response from Nuremberg at the time.
Scobel successor?
Given his failure in the 3rd division, it is currently not expected that Obiogumu could play a role in 1. FC Nürnberg’s second division squad after his return. On the one hand, a new loan club could be sought for the striker. On the other hand, a return to the club’s U23 team would also be conceivable, where he was the top scorer in the previous season with 18 goals (eleven goals and seven assists) and could now possibly take on the role of Piet Scobel, who is increasingly establishing himself with the professionals.
