"Then you have your headline": Dieter Hecking is really angry and rants in a rage

VfL Bochum only managed a draw in the explosive second leg against Union Berlin. Not enough for Dieter Hecking's team, which faces relegation on Friday. The coach is in a truly bad mood after the match, and he lets it out.

The fans fell silent, and the exhausted VfL Bochum players stood and lay on the pitch with blank expressions. Coach Dieter Hecking, however, added insult to injury after the 1-1 (0-1) home draw against 1. FC Union Berlin. Asked on DAZN whether he believed they would stay in the league, he countered: "How should I answer that question now? If I say, of course we can win in Heidenheim, we can also beat Mainz at home. We can also win in St. Paul." But of course, there would be fewer games.

Hecking was really angry. "Please write, Mr. Hecking is asking the quality question. Please do it, then you'll have your headlines," the coach said later, his face red. Then he pointedly stood up for his team: "This team is alive, this team was stone-dead. And this team will try to win the game in Heidenheim."

"A brutal final"

But it won't be easy. After the draw, bottom-placed Bochum are four points behind the relegation playoff spot and 1. FC Heidenheim. An away win on Friday is therefore a must. "A brutal final. If we lose, we're relegated," said midfielder Tom Krauß.

Hecking didn't even want to think about that, but he still worked himself into a bit of a rage. "And if we win, we still won't have managed to avoid relegation—what a bummer! Then we have to keep playing. I'll be clear so you all understand—this isn't a fun event."

Such a really stupid goal

His team had put in a combative performance against Union and created more chances throughout the game. Ultimately, however, the danger of the seventh relegation in the club's history only increased. Hecking was particularly irritated by Benedict Hollerbach's 1-0 goal. It was a goal "that, of course, only comes when you're standing where you're standing. A deflected ball, but if it wasn't deflected, it would probably be a sure thing."

Despite the bleak situation in the relegation battle and his heated mood, Hecking didn't give up. "We'll go to Heidenheim with everything we have, we'll try to win the game, and I'm saying here and now, that's entirely possible." It could be the penultimate Bundesliga away game for at least a season.