Ahead of a crucial Bundesliga match against European rivals Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend, Mainz 05 have confirmed a contract extension with veteran defender Stefan Bell. Like a trio of Mainz teammates who received contract extensions three weeks ago, the 33-year-old centre-back is considered an exemplary model of what the club offers.
Bell, like colleagues Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr, unexpectedly revived his career during the latter stages of his professional journey. Bell made no league appearances for Mainz during the 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign. He wasn’t even selected for the matchday squad by head coaches Achim Beirlorzer or Jan Moritz Lichte during the disastrous start to the 2020/21 season.
Mainz’s improbable escape from relegation under previous head coach Bo Svensson had much to do with Bell. When Svensson took over in January 2021, Mainz had only accrued six points through 13 matchdays. Svensson pulled Bell from the forgotten ranks and installed him as a starter from matchday 16 forward.
Svensson’s Rheinhessen pulled themselves out of the relegation fray. Bell scored a dramatic late winner against VfL Wolfsburg on the final matchday. Since then, he’s become a regular fixture.
Though injuries have limited him to just 15 league and two cup appearances this season, current Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen emphasized Bell’s importance to his team while speaking at a Friday press conference.
“His decision [to renew for one more year], was incredibly important,” Henriksen remarked. “He was incredibly important for us this season. When he played, we had very good results. Hopefully [we’ll get that] next year too. We think he can play a role on the field.”
“Stefan Bell is one of the faces of the club,” club sporting director Nico Bungert added in a club statement, “and the last few years of his career in particular are somewhat symbolic of what Mainz 05 is all about: never giving up. Stefan is not only a great guy, but also a deserving player who has once again proven his sporting value this season.”
Bell has remained with Mainz since making his professional debut in 2010. He joined the Mainz academy in 2007. Though he was loaned out to 1860 Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt early in his career, all of his 281 top flight appearances have come with the Palatinate side.
“After 18 years together, we have a deep relationship based on trust,” Bell himself said in his own club statement. “The overall development of FSV Mainz 05 over the past few years is simply fun and leaves me incredibly eager to continue contributing both on and off the pitch.”
GGFN | Peter Weis
