Bochum’s Ilja Kaenzig on ex-coach Thomas Reis: “At some point, no more poison darts…”

At VfL Bochum they are hoping for a future relaxation of relations with ex-coach Thomas Reis – but do not see the time for that before the derby against Schalke 04 has come. “I think that a lot of emotions in the stands are also focused on him,” said Kaenzig, spokesman for the Bochum management, in an interview with the newspapers Funk media group.

Reis is now the competitor’s coach, and on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky) there will be an important game to stay up. But the emotions are “part of the derby, that’s what Thomas Reis himself is fueling.”

Kaenzig hopes “that at some point there will be no more poisonous darts. That we will get so far that everyone will speak out and make peace. It will certainly be difficult before the derby.”

Reis played professionally for VfL for eight years and was head coach at Castroper Straße from 2019 to 2022. He led the club back to the Bundesliga in 2021 but had to leave after a run of six defeats last September. Reis then took over the coaching position at rivals Schalke 04 in October. The majority of Bochum fans did not forgive the 49-year-old for the change.

Schalke have been unbeaten in five Bundesliga games under Reis: a series of four goalless draws was followed by a win against VfB Stuttgart (2-1). Bottom of the table Schalke is only three points behind VfL Bochum, who is penultimate.