Bochum will be relegated from the Bundesliga should they lose away at relegation rivals Heidenheim in the league’s matchday 32 curtain raiser on Friday night. Heidenheim are flying high after securing their seventh win of the 2024/25 campaign away at Stuttgart last weekend. Bochum, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five league fixtures.
Hecking has come under fire recently for a perceived needlessly dramatic manner of managing his personnel. Matters got worse for the VfL head coach last week. After the team could only draw Union 1-1 at home, the 60-year-old criticised the home supporters for “losing patience” with the team. Hecking then snapped at a reporter at the post match press conference, complaining that he was asked “stupid questions”.
Hecking deliberately tried to rehabilitate his relationship with the fans at his Thursday pre match press conference, praising club supporters for showing up to the team’s final home training session. The veteran German steward also attempted to display some humility with respect to his own general attitude.
“I think it’s great that so many fans are here to support us,” Hecking said of the turn out at the training session. “It once again demonstrates how much the region supports us and that the club sticks together. That’s a great sign.
“Of course, I’m not completely relaxed,” Hecking went on to note when it came to the game. “But I’m inwardly calm. The thought of this game gives me an extra kick. We all have to push ourselves, and that includes me.“
GGFN | Peter Weis
