Geretsried - Patrick Verbaast is the name of the new man at the top of football friends Geretsried. The 46-year-old Dutchman replaces Wolfgang Möckel as the first chairman and wants to steer the association with a management team of 16 people in the 50th year of its existence.
A troubled year lies behind the football club from the Toad Pond. In March 2019, coach Guido Herberth surprisingly threw the chunks despite the team's top placement in the district class. The then board member Bernd Meier resigned from his post. His representative Möckel kicked out his technical manager Michael Zelt in the summer, which resulted in massive atmospheric disturbances. Senior manager Miklos Tot immediately left the board, assistant coach Lech Kasperek also retired. At the annual meeting, Möckel decided not to run again.
Now a new team is creating a spirit of optimism. "I didn't think of it that way myself," says the new chairman, Verbaast, laughing. The advertising of Kalle Schlosser was largely responsible for this, he explains. The Dutchman is employed as a manager at Sea Life GmbH in Munich and has been active as a youth coach for soccer friends for three years, where son Max now plays in the B-youth team. "I like being able to actively shape club life," says the 46-year-old, who has already gained relevant experience in his home country - as a youth leader as well as a host of the club restaurant.
"I think it is an advantage that I am not affected by things from the past here," says the chairman, who has a 16-strong team behind him. Josef "Sepp" Meindl was confirmed as second chairman, Matthew Cox is the new youth leader, Predrag Radosevic is senior director, Christian Thut is treasurer, Tanja Schmidt is secretary. Michael Zelt is back on board as Technical Director.
The extended board of directors is completed by Stefan Aust and Thomas Keller (2nd and 3rd secretary), Miklos Tot and Arnold Vögtle (2nd and 3rd senior senior), Mirko Prajs (2nd youth leader) and Kalle Schlosser (technical leader youth) as well as the four assessors Uwe Schlosser, Andreas Kreller, Eki Ongerth and Eddy Häner.
The lush “squad” should now quickly breathe fresh air. "I think it's great that there are now people who have been in the club for a long time, like Kalle Schlosser, that's a club legend," says Michael Zelt and emphasizes that he himself is "fully motivated" again. The most important thing now is "to bring calm and stability in," emphasizes Verbaast, who appeals to "more transparency, respect and appreciation in cooperation". In sporting terms, the goal is "a balanced balance between the youth and senior sector". As of next summer, they will have their own A youth for the first time in five years.
Apart from the fact that one wants to ensure that “all men's and youth teams can start the second half of the season strengthened and well prepared”, the club's anniversary is the main focus. "This is an absolute highlight, which we will celebrate in due course," says second board member Sepp Meindl. "The goal is to organize several activities in July, such as an anniversary game and a summer party." RUDI STALLEIN