retired_kmkageler

Thanks Mighty Red, glad you're enjoying - you're probably right about Fawkes and that, never considered it being a Brit, but as stated in the opening, all facts are changed to suit...blah blah

retired_alycia

Fantastic start Jim, keep it up. Although I hope the drink/smoke doesn't get the best of him...

retired_kmkageler

Thanks Dircks, pleased that you're enjoting it. As for his demons? Time will tell eh?

retired_kmkageler

April 2006

I shared a bottle of red with Rudi on the very first day of the month. He was very upbeat about all things as usual. He admitted to his disappointment at the way March had turned out but was stubbornly hanging on to his title dream, though as I now understood he had no pretensions or expectations that it was more than that, a dream.

Later, I ventured onto my balcony in the chill spring night, and threw the still unopened packet of cigarettes far out into the Rhine. I was not beaten yet!

Villa too had seven games to go but unlike Koblenz were not mathematically safe from the drop yet. They had 36 points from their 31 games played, and were the filling between Birmingham (above dammit!) and the Baggies below. Sadly, O’Leary was still in his job.

Nearly 7500 came for the visit of Regensburg. We dominated the game from first to last but it took until the 90th minute for us to convert one of our many chances. Rahn applied that finish for a 1-0 win. I bemoaned lack of firepower due to injury in the post match interview, but could not praise highly enough the commitment and attitude of 20 year old Rahn who was well worthy of his man of the match award. Drews returned to the dressing room at full time with an injury that will keep him out for a fortnight.

Guscinas and Hobel both returned to training ahead of schedule in the run up to the next match, but neither would be fit enough to start, and Eschborn’s relegation was confirmed.

Less than 2000 attended the Fritz Walter Stadion for our visit to Kaiserslautern II. They took the lead early, and added to it mid way through the second half as we pushed for the equaliser. Rahn picked up an injury and Hobel took his place as we continued to dominate but his goal on 90 minutes was a mere consolation. A 2-1 defeat, but in truth the performance had been outstanding and a little more luck could have seen a vastly different result.

Rahn would be out for as long as 8 weeks, but Drews and the much missed Cozza were back in training. We also completed the free transfer signing of 20 year old Ukranian right winger Vasyl Mykulanynets on the recommendation of scout Reimann. He is one for the future and will join the under 23 squad.

There comes a match in any fan’s life that is simply breathtaking to behold. Whether that be for great goals, defensive solidity or an outstanding team or individual performance. In very rare cases the game may even have all those things, as this one did. Only 2005 came to the Oberwerth for the crunch game against 1860 Munchen II, but they all to a man went home having seen easily the game of the season. Here were two teams of similar quality both hell bent on leaving with the points, sharing them wasn’t an option, but in all honesty would have been the fairest result!

Guscinas opened the scoring after just 90 seconds and that set the tone. They rallied quickly and equalised on 20. On 36 Brenny Evers converted our spotkick but they pegged us back to 2-2 with their own penalty just five minutes later. Two minutes after that Kolinger hit yet another of his trademark thunderbolts to give us the lead 3-2 at the break. The second half was an ‘our-turn-your-turn’ affair with the ball moving rapidly from end to end without respite. They equalised from a brilliant free kick on the hour but ten minutes later Guscinas bagged his second of the night. Determined not to let them in again, I threw on a second defensive midfielder to close the door but still they pushed but an awesome defensive and goalkeeping display in the final ten minutes saw us through for a 4-3 victory. Rainer Hobel was instrumental for us as his tireless running and silky passing had created most of our better chances.

The only negative from the match was an injury to Tieku who would miss the next fortnight, but Rudi bought the wine that night and we chatted into the early hours.

The next game was a potential promotion decider for us. We travelled to the Gazi Stadion auf der Welde to play Stuttgarter K in front of over 4000 fans. Although the result was a respectable 1-0 defeat on paper, in truth they had been way too good for us and deserved the praise afforded to them in the press the following day.

Bayreuth’s relegation from the league was confirmed, and Siegen lost their place in the Second Division too. Goalkeeper Gurski returned to training but it was doubtful that he would figure in any of the three remaining games.

We had finished the month in 3rd place. 3 points separated us from second (Stuttgarter K) and 4 from first (Bayern II). It was still all to play for. Our figures of P31 W16 D6 L9 GF41 GA28 GD+13 and 54PTS meant that 8th place was now the worst possible finish, and as Rudi had said, if offered 8th place back in August nearly everyone at Koblenz would have gladly taken it. So would I back then but not now. We were just too close, and 8th right now would be greatly disappointing to me.

retired_kmkageler

May 2006

The next three games would decide, and we needed those above to drop points as well, but it was still possible to get a promotion or even a title for Koblenz and as long as that possibility existed I was determined to go for it.

Klaus and I really worked hard in training stressing the mental toughness required of the players for the last three games, telling them what was possible, and asking them how much they wanted it. Three games, two at home, and all winnable.

Before the first of those three games, Burghausen’s promotion to the First Division was confirmed, and Schalke won the First Division title. Also, Bayern II and Stuttgarter K both lost. We went into the game with a golden opportunity to make up lost ground. It was do or die.

The old Obertwerth Stadion welcomed over 7500 visitors for the afternoon’s entertainment, and with central defender Tieku and goalkeeper Gurski restored to the starting line up I was in confident mood. Hoffenheim, the opposition, set their stall out to defend and did so extremely well, but the poor shooting of our forwards led to scores of wasted opportunities. Then, five minutes into the second half, they caught us on the counter and took the lead against the run of play and I couldn’t help but wonder if promotion in my first year of management just wasn’t meant to be.

I changed the formation to a much more attacking one and got a reward for it on the hour when we were awarded a penalty and a deserved chance to get back into the game. I’ll never forget their ‘keeper’s clenched fist and huge smile as he got up after the save, nor the anguished expression on Brenny Evers face as he collapsed to his knees in disbelief. Surely it was over now, the dream had died.

We never recovered from the penalty miss and didn’t get back into any sort of stride and they played out a 1-0 win.

Cozza, who’d come on as a substitute, had collected another injury and would miss the next three weeks, aka the rest of the season, and that just about summed up our luck!

In the days that followed, Man Utd were confirmed as English Champions and Burghausen secured the German Second Division title. Roma won the Euro cup on penalties after battling out a 1-1 normal time score with favourites Monaco.

Our last game on the road of the season took us to Karlsruhe II’s Wildparkstadion where only 1500 or so turned up for the definitive ‘game of two halves’. We started with morale low and a realisation that we’d blown it, and it showed in our first half performance. Clearly demonstrating that we had now completely forgotten how to shoot, Karlsruhe II settled into a defensive game designed to frustrate. On the half hour, Michael Stahl popped up at the back post to head in the opener from an inch perfect Phillip Langen cross, but we surrendered our ‘against the run of play’ lead within ten minutes and went in at the break level at 1-1.

At half time I simply told them to forget about promotion, titles and all that, and just go out and play to their capabilities which was much better than they had been. I just didn’t want them letting themselves and the fans down. A 51st minute penalty was confidently converted by Brenny Evers showing great character after his previous spot kick miss, and a clever Guscinas goal on the hour seemed to rap the game up. But we were not done yet. As young Stefan Haben got an iron like grip on midfield we grew and grew in confidence and at times our passing and movement was breathtaking. The irony of this wasn’t lost on me. If only! Guscinas added a stunning 4th goal just before the 70th minute and Phillip Langen applied the finish to as neat a move as you would see anywhere on 94.

The 5-1 away win was, on balance, a very fair reflection of a game that we had totally dominated. Stefan Haben received the man of the match award, but news that Stuttgarter K had won and secured promotion was quite deflating and we travelled home in quiet contemplation, perhaps at what might have been.

Newcastle were forced into a penalty shoot out in the English FA Cup against Charlton after a 2-2 normal time score, but prevailed to take the trophy back to the North East. Frankfurt’s relegation from the first division was confirmed, as was Offenbach’s demise from the second. Hertha Berlin boss Gotz resigned.

Back home, the Villa had finished in 14th place with 44 points from their 38 games, and the only thing good about that was that Birmingham had finished 15th and West Brom 16th!

Real Madrid had out scored Porto in the European Champions Cup by 3-2, but in truth the result didn’t reflect Madrid’s dominance of the game.

Kaiserslautern and Mainz were relegated from Division 1 with Freiburg and Bochum taking their places. Erfurt and Munster were promoted to Division 2. Emden and Chemnitz went down to Regional Division North while St.Pauli and Essen went out of the league altogether.

Champions Schalke fought out the German Cup Final with second division Aalen, who surprised everyone by pulling off a 2-1 win.

Cozza, Rahn and Keita were back in training after injury.

Only the Regional Division South final placings were to be decided with games on June 3rd before Germany was invaded for the 2006 World Cup.

retired_kmkageler

June 2006

I sat in my office on the morning of the final game of the season. We were 4th going into the game, behind leaders (and already promoted) Stuttgarter K by 3 points and a single point behind Bayern II and 1860 Munchen II. The title seemed a lost cause and getting that second promotion place was a long shot.

I looked around the now familiar office. That very first day seemed both a lifetime ago and at the same time only minutes! I’d certainly come a long way, and whatever the outcome of the day’s events yet to unfold, I would have to accept. There were no prizes for coming this close, even if your board and fans were collectively ‘delighted’ with you!

With a glance at my watch I headed for the dressing room.

I’d told the players before kick-off to forget promotion. We’d need two of the three teams above us to slip up and win ourselves for that to happen and that there was very long odds on that happening. I’d told them that the game was all about sending the fans away for the summer with a smile on their faces and renewed hope for next season. I’d also reminded them that everyone had expected us to be at the bottom of the table right now and not at the top disappointed not be in the promotion places. I’d told them that they’d done more than expected already, and not to let themselves down on the last day of the season.

Despite a performance that matched all my requirements in terms of commitment and pride, we went down to a 1-0 defeat to a 14th minute goal. Only 2000 had come to see it, but I’d told the players not to be too downhearted as they were a credit to themselves and the club.

By the time we had all assembled in the players lounge, all hell was breaking loose. We had finished 4th in the league, but word was getting around that we had been promoted to the Bundesliga 2. I had no idea how this could be, and got a very excited Bruno to contact the German FA to ascertain what on earth was going on.

As it transpired, the rules for lower league football in Germany are quite complex. The upper league teams play their ‘reserves’ in the lower leagues, hence 1860 Munchen II and so on, but these teams cannot be promoted if a senior team already occupy the next league up. In the case of Koblenz, that ruled out Bayern II and Munchen II from our league, so third place Stuttgater K and 4th Place Koblenz were promoted instead, and that also explained the promotion of the Regional North’s 5th and 6th placed teams.

We finished with P34 W17 D6 L11 GF46 GA31 GD+15 and 57PTS. Considering the champions had amassed a total of 61 points we weren’t that far behind!

We’d done it! I took comfort from the fact that Bruno hadn’t fully realised the implications of these regulations to hide my own ignorance, but essentially nobody cared how or why anyway. Koblenz were up!

The following day, Rudi woke me early as I hadn’t made my customary visit to the cafeteria the previous evening. We sat on my balcony together drinking coffee and perusing the morning papers. There were quotes in there from some of the players, as well as Bruno, praising me for an ‘unbelievable and historic achievement’. Rudi was so excited he could only gesticulate and make guttural noises at first, and soon there was a small gathering of journalists below my balcony.

I gave them a few quotes about building on this for the future, and retreated inside with Rudi. We were both beaming like kids at Christmas. The feeling took several days to subside, during which Dubravko Kolinger was announced as runner up in the German Regional South Division player of the year, and was included in the team of the year along with Gurski, Langen and Cozza. It was then back to the reality of preparing for life in the Second Division.

Schlosser had not shown me enough to persuade me to try and sign him permanently, so returned to Koln, and I had the difficult task of telling Salif Keita that he would be transfer listed. He was a talented footballer no doubt, but his injury record would give any physio the base material for a medical book and I couldn’t justify keeping him on the books. Richter and Dzaka departed for pastures new, leaving the core of 21 players who would remain for the new season to which I determined to add three more of a higher standard.

I made Russian attacking central midfielder Simeon Melnikov my number one target for the summer. At just 21 he had outstanding physical, technical and mental qualities that earmarked him as a future star, and he had been recommended by scout Reimann. I negotiated a fee of GBP 80,000 with Arsenal Tula for the player and he quickly agreed terms with us and would join in July.

Joining more immediately were Ukranian physio Rostyslav Pastushenko to give some extra help in the medical department, and Russian coach Valery Nenenko. I felt that playing at a higher level would require even more physical care from our backroom team in both coaching and health, and Bruno was happy to sanction the salaries.

The Chairman’s office was a little grander than mine, but not significantly so. Bruno was a larger than life character but a down to earth man who had had a dream when he bought Koblenz and was passionate about the club. Koblenz were about to embark on a season at the highest level in its history and as the man sat chatting to me I could almost feel his pride it was that palpable.

He was telling me that the training facility upgrade was complete, and this I knew already, but went on to tell me that a new three year sponsorship deal had been signed the previous day and this combined with the windfall from the Second Division television rights, was enabling him to take the club to professional status with immediate effect. He thanked me for the huge part I’d played in facilitating this, and as he put it ‘My dreams for this club have taken a huge step to becoming reality since you arrived here’. He was so sincere that I had to swallow hard to keep my own emotions in check.

We both agreed that the objective for the forthcoming season was to avoid relegation, and both knew fully that this would not be as easy to do as last season. This was indeed a realistic, and from a financial point of view, essential ingredient in the ongoing development of the club.

He finished by confirming that the total transfer budget for the forthcoming season, taking into account the sponsorship and television money would be GBP 775,000 which was a huge amount. The wage budget was fixed, however, at GBP 11,500 which realistically meant that I didn’t have much chance to spend the budget. I wasn’t unduly worried though, as I had been working to his earlier budget estimate of around GBP 300,000 with some success.

He was excited by the signing of Melnikov and our latest recruit, 27 year old Polish left winger Pawel Sobolewski whom we had acquired for GBP 20,000 from Slask and would join on a four year deal in July.

Finally, he let me know of the annual award for Fans’ Player of the Year, and this year it was Dubravko Kolinger. I was delighted by this, as the player very much reminded me of myself in my playing days, my Villa days at least!

The following day these big announcements were all over the papers and Rudi was almost overcome with joy. His Koblenz in the second division and a fully professional club? He was in heaven as he prepared me a monumental English cooked breakfast that I struggled to finish.

Indeed, going towards the end of the month the City of Koblenz was a quite special place to be. Everywhere there was a vibrancy and expectation that things were better, it was a real community and a privilidge for me to live there. You would be forgiven for not knowing, away from television and press that is, that the World Cup was in full swing in the same country, but that could be down to the fact that Germany had been eliminated in the first knock-out round!

retired_kmkageler

Hi folks, hope the confusion over the promotion didn't cause the story to lose too much credibilty. I have to put my hands up and admit to ignorance of the German lower league rules, but by the time it all came out in the game (and a few Google searches) I decided to run with it rather than rewrite a huge part of the story. Still, a dramatic twist eh?

Updates will start to slow down a little now as my 'posting' time is pretty much up to date with my 'gaming' time, but stay tuned, there will be more from Koblenz!

Thanks for reading. jim65

retired_manleylk

dont worry jim - its to be expected when you go abroad! good story - keep it up!

retired_kmkageler

Thanks Mighty Red :thup:

retired_kmkageler

July 2006

I picked up my new lease car on the morning and enjoyed a relaxing drive through the country roads that surrounded the city before reporting to the ground. New signings Sobolewski and Melnikov officially arrived and were presented to the media before being released to finalise their personal affairs prior to pre-season.

Meanwhile the World Cup had drawn to a close in Germany, with England putting in a comfortable 4-0 win over Ivory Coast to take the coveted trophy back home. Italy finished third, beating Mexico in the play-off game.

Yildiz, only recently recovered from injury, reported for pre-season unfit and on the physio’s recommendation I allowed him an extra fortnight of rest. More disappointingly for me was that new signing Melnikov had also reported unfit and would have to take an extra fortnight too.

Our first friendly in pre-season saw us travel to Frankfurt. Within thirty minutes Stahl picked up an injury, ironically the one player I did not yet have cover for, so full back Nessos covered on the right wing and promptly scored the opening goal. Whilst we dominated much of proceedings it took us until the 88th minute to put the game to bed with a Langen strike.

Stahl will be sidelined for about four months, which is disappointing for him and the club as he had played a key role in our promotion, but I accelerated negotiations that had already started and within a week 23 year old Polish right winger Thomasz Kurpiel joined on a free transfer from Oldenburg, and Finnish right winger Jussi Kujala, also 23, arrived for GBP 30,000 from Tampere Utd and became our highest paid player. The week also saw 21 year old Oskar Edholm arrive on a free from Gimonas. The Swede was a highly rated centre back and would mean that unsettled American Josh Grenier could be transfer listed.

The draw for the first round of the German Cup took place, handing us an away tie at Halberg to be played mid-August. I was hoping to go a little further than last season!

No sooner had that all been done, than Polish side Amica came to the Oberwerth for our second pre-season friendly. The Polish first division side were well organised and hard to break down. Their passing and movement was much better than ours so a 1-0 defeat was not bad news, and credit to the defensive side of our game was duly given.

Ghanian midfileder Kadir Mumumi joined on a free transfer, having been a free agent, and assigned to the under 23 squad as yet another talent for the future of Koblenz.First Division Hannover visited and gave us a first half lesson in accurate passing and clinical finishing. 2-0 down at halftime, we reorganised and went more defensive and whilst we had few scoring opportunities we contained them well and, I hoped, learnt a lesson that would be valuable to us in the coming season.

First Division Hannover visited and gave us a first half lesson in accurate passing and clinical finishing. 2-0 down at halftime, we reorganised and went more defensive and whilst we had few scoring opportunities we contained them well and, I hoped, learnt a lesson that would be valuable to us in the coming season.

Yildiz and Melnikov have reported back from their extended leave in much better shape. Edholm, Haben and Goschik are going to spend some time with the under 23 squad to further their development.

We had two more friendlies before the big kick-off, both away at non-league grounds.

The 9000 capacity Eintracht stadium was a somewhat ramshackle home to non-league Nordhorn. Guscinas bagged a brace in the first half, but a Brenny Evers defensive howler let the get one back just after the hour. Thomas Rahn then added a brace of his own before a curious last minute incident saw the dismissal of their goalkeeper and Simeon Melnikov dispatched the resultant penalty to cap a very fine debut display indeed, and a resounding 5-1 win.

Cozza and Tieku sign new contracts, but Klaus and I agreed not to extend those of goalkeepers Auer and Muller, who would be free agents at the end of the season. I e-mailed our scouts to keep an eye open for goalkeeping talent as their searches of Scandinavia and Ireland and the UK progressed.

St Pauli’s Millentor Stadion was a far more impressive venue than that of our previous hosts, though the attendance was nowhere near to its 20551 capacity for our visit. They took the lead on the half hour, Guscinas equalised on the stroke of half time, and whilst nothing much else of any note happened, St Pauli could probably feel justified in saying that they were the better team on the day. We could easily justify saying that their brown and cream kit was disgusting, but kept that to ourselves!