Ottenhofen instead of Namibia

Created: 06/25/2022, 08:30

By: Dieter Priglmeir

Hans Bruckmeier remains DJK coach.

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Master coach Hans Bruckmeier is still a year away.

Ottenhofen - He is 72 years old, dreams of big trips and has just celebrated a great success with the DJK Ottenhofen as an A-class champion.

As he says himself, there was no rational reason for Hans Bruckmeier not to end his career as a football coach.

He announced that back in February.

And yet he is now hanging on for another year as coach of the district class promoted.

How did the DJK manage it?

With perseverance and a very special trick.

"It was a long story," says Ottenhofen's football boss Benjamin Settles.

"We met again and again and simply told him that we only had a real, full season because of Corona." Many players would have persuaded him that the cooperation was so outstanding.

"Everyone knows him, everyone appreciates him," says Settles.

And then he said to his coach: "If you want to become a bigger legend, then go on for another year." Bruckmeier then grinned and said: "The saying could come from me."

Settles was then already confident, especially since Bruckmeier's partner Susie Falkenstein also supported the DJK efforts.

And goalkeeper icon Andreas Sürzer (41) also said: "I'll be there for another year if Brucki continues."

"One more year," said the trainer to the local newspaper.

That also fits into his schedule, because the first of the trips planned in the future is to Namibia and is not scheduled to take place until summer 2023.

"Then it's really over," says Bruckmeier, who is preparing for a strong district class and has to do without 34-goal Constantin Lichti.

"He's turning 30 now and has always said he won't be on the pitch at 38.

He lives in Munich and is currently doing his doctorate.”

Except for the Wörther Maxi Wanninger there will be no newcomers.

"Because I wanted to quit, I didn't look around at all," says the coach.

"But the fans here prefer to see their own people anyway." And they like to see them fight and run.

Burckmeier will lay the foundations from Wednesday, because that's when the preparation begins - probably also with running units with ex-world champion Susie Falkenstein.