As the administrative crisis at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim deepens, head coach Christian Ilzer is clinging to his seafaring metaphors. Ilzer has the dubious honor of leading his team into the resumption of Bundesliga play on Friday night. Mainz play host to the Kraichgauer tomorrow. Ilzer obviously wishes his club’s managerial circumstances were different.
The latest on Wolfsburg’s attempts to lure TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker away from the club isn’t pretty. Kicker reports that Wolfsburg are holding open talks with Ilzer’s Austrian compatriot and former Sturm Graz colleague. A matter that certainly should have been resolved one way or another is now dragging out.
Hoffenheim, from a pure sporting perspective, should be the favorites against Mainz. Instead, Bo Henriksen’s fledgling Pfälzer may find it easy to pounce on a team plagued by distractions. Ilzer did his level best to deflect questions about Schicker’s future at his Thursday pre-match press conference.
“Everyone knows we like working together,” Ilzer said when asked about Schicker’s future. “I can only say that if he leaves, I’ll be happy for him because he’ll be taking the next step on his path. If he stays, I’ll also be happy because we work very well together and he provides me with the perfect conditions.“
“We are an ocean-going steamer, and if the shipping company changes its personnel on land, it won’t change our wind and weather,” Ilzer – picking back up on a metaphor he used during an on-pitch interview with Sky Germany during the last Bundesliga round. “Everyone on board is focused on keeping the ship on course.
“We’re doing our thing, and at some point we’ll reach land again,” Ilzer continued. “And then we’ll deal with that. I always act on the assumption that when management is changed, it’s done with the best intentions.“
