Klaus Toppmöller was fired in Leverkusen today. Interim-successor will be Thomas Hörster, coach of the own reserves. Hörster will get the Champions League game against Newcastle and probably next weekend in Hannover to prove himself - if he is successful, then he'll have a good chance to stay in office, otherwise there'll be an external solution. Under Toppmöller Bayer reached three second spots in the last year (Championship, National Cup, Champions League), which made him Coach of the Year in Germany and third in the Coach of the World choice. After the season Bayer lost Ze Roberto and Michael Ballack, two of their most important players, to Bayern Munich - a gap that Toppmöller's favourite transfers Jan Simak and Franca never could close. Toppmöller was too close to the team in times of success and couldn't find the necessary distance in the crisis. He protected and excused the bad performances and very early he relied on injured players returning after the winter break. Despite of critical comments of his players he believed to have had a good season preparation, but without point in the first four games in 2003 the opposite was the case. Bayer Leverkusen is worst Bundesliga team 2003, currently is having the negative club record of 5 straight losses and already in the winter break they broke the club record for most home losses in a season (their traditional strength). Leverkusen is one point separated from relegation, but this only as Mönchengladbach played two games less - if they win both of them (Berlin today, Wolfsburg on Wednesday), then Bayer needs at least one point in Hannover next weekend, and this would cut Hörster's probation to one game in case of lacking improvement against Newcastle. Toppmöller is the second coach to be fired in this season (262nd in the 40th Bundesliga year). Before only Andreas Brehme of 1.FC Kaiserslautern had to leave. Unlike Brehme, who is still getting his full salary of 2M, Toppmöller had a guaranteed termination fee of 1.25 M in his contract. Thomas Hörster, 46, is very familiar with Leverkusen. He is member of their first Bundesliga team and played for them from 1979 until his career end in 1991. Next to 332 Bundesliga games (16 goals) he belonged to the UEFA Cup winning team in 1988. After his career Hörster went the internal coaching way over the youth up to the reserves.
Very sad. I’m sure it didn’t give Calli any pleasure to make this decision – but what else could he do? You can’t fire the whole team, and the players really need someone to come in and inject some confidence into the team. I guess they weren’t responding to Toppi, so you have to react or face relegation.
I like Toppi, but I really think that this was the right move, the players just didn't want to play, and you have to get someone new in there to motivate them. I hope he finds a job somewhere else and has success.
I think the cut was too late, it already had to be done after the last game before the winter break. The officials (as well as Toppmöller) thought that the injury problems and the WC were the crucial problem, which would be solved by Toppi during the break. The real problems were the insecurity of the team, also caused by Toppi, who did not reach the team anymore. For Toppi personally that's of course bitter, but nobody will take him the success of the last season. Also, Bayer was the team providing him with the big chance he did not get the years before after leaning too far out of the window after some provoking sentences. He gets a nice sum and he won't be long without job - maybe Wolfsburg from next season on.
I second that Olaf, Bayer waited too long, they should have handed him the sack before the winter break. That way the new gaffer could have used that time to get to know the squad without too much urgency, but as it stands now we're screwed if we don't start making headway. Anyone know who a possible replacement could be if our reserve team coach can't handle things in the few games he'll inevitably get?
If the rumors come true that Rehagel will be the Toppmoeller replacement, Leverkusen will relegate, i'm 100% sure ! The day Rehagel takes over will be a happy day for the cologne yellow press, especially the 'Express' will give Rehagel a warm welcome !
Generaly i'm against firing managers because a team is losing, but this one I agree with. Toppi was a great guy (with great hair), and i'll miss him. They really did wait to long. I really hope they finish the season well, and don't get relegated, after all how weird would it if they win the Champs league and get relegated? Though I truly doubt they will. So what is blame for the sudden slide of Bayer, did the exit of Ballack and Ze Roberto really hurt that much? Or is it really, really bad luck. Keep the faith boys. And good luck to Toppi, i'm more than sure he'll pop up again. And props to olafgb for the, as always, excellent write up.
Hörster remains coach at least until the end of the season. He moves up with his assistant Ralf Minge, while Toppi's assistant coach Peter Hermann will be head coach for the reserves now. Toni Schumacher remains coach for the goalies. A new and experienced sporting director shall be signed to help Hörster. Luckily Otto Rehhagel did not want to give up his job in Greece, otherwise he would be coach in Leverkusen now.
Yes, and in three months he says "Relegated? Someone should have told me that we are endangered! How could I know?"
Calmund wants someone, who fulfills three criteria: 1. young and popular among players 2. business skills 3. ability to relieve him in his own responsibility. Names that were heard were Oliver Bierhoff, Jürgen Klinsmann and Ulf Kirsten. Problem with Bierhoff is that he is still playing and wouldn't be available at least before summer - too late for Bayer. Klinsmann is feeling very well being away from the soccer excitement in the USA and doesn't want to return. Kirsten still has to learn, has never been everybody's darling and has no business skills yet. As I wrote in another thread, Rune Bratseth was the favourite before this season, but his wife didn't want to return to Germany. Actually not many good candidates are coming to my mind - maybe Wynton Rufer, who is closely linked to Bratseth.
How quickly things change in 1 year. A stone's throw away from completeing the treble, then relegation fodder.