VfL Bochum Appoints Zeidler as New Coach

German League - VfL Bochum Appoints Zeidler as New Coach

Peter Zeidler has wrapped up his time with FC St. Gallen and is set to take over as the new coach for Bundesliga club VfL Bochum. Both teams confirmed the move on Monday. The VfL is slated to present the new head coach later in the day.

As per the "Bild" publication, Zeidler is set to receive a two-year contract with a potential extension at the VfL. Zeidler had been part of the coaching team at Bochum since their promotion in 2021. The club just managed to escape relegation in the nick of time.

Zeidler's time at St. Gallen is coming to an end

"St.Gallen was a truly remarkable chapter in my coaching journey, and I'll forever hold a special place in my heart for the club, its players, staff, and the people of the region," Zeidler said in St. Gallen's official statement, where he's been for six years. "We've laid a solid foundation together in recent years, setting the stage for more triumphs down the line."

Zeidler steps in for interim coach Heiko Butscher at Bochum. Butscher stepped in twice: first after Thomas Reis' split from the club in September 2022, and again after Reis' successor, Thomas Letsch, was fired in early April 2024. He'll now return to the second team.

The retired defender Butscher, who has been part of the Bochum youth coaching staff and briefly served as an assistant coach for the pros since 2015, will lead the VfL's newly established U23 team and manage the youth academy.

VfL's new coach has Bundesliga experience

Zeidler has been working in the Bundesliga from 2008 to 2011 as a co-trainer for Ralf Rangnick at TSG Hoffenheim. Since 2018, the 61-year-old has been in charge of the Swiss first division club FC St. Gallen. He's made a name for himself at this relatively modest club with limited financial resources.

It appears the VfL won't need to pay a transfer fee, although Zeidler's contract in St. Gallen was still valid until 2027. St. Gallen keeps quiet on the details.

Read also:

1. Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Peter Zeidler returned to his German roots when he was appointed as the new coach for Bundesliga club VfL Bochum.
2. Despite the close connection to VfL Bochum, Zeidler completed a two-year contract with Swiss club FC St. Gallen before taking up the position.
3. The appointment follows a difficult season for Bochum, as they managed to avoid relegation in the final stages, and Zeidler's experience in Germany's top soccer league could offer a fresh perspective.
4. The "Bild" newspaper reported that Zeidler's contract with VfL Bochum includes a two-year term with the potential for an extension, demonstrating the club's confidence in their new coach.
5. Heiko Butscher, who served as the interim coach twice during Bochum's recent struggles, will now focus on leading the club's U23 team and managing the youth academy.

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