Contract in Bochum terminated
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Red Bull Salzburg has found a successor for the dismissed Pepijn Lijnders. Ex-Bochum coach Thomas Letsch takes over the position for the struggling Austrians. The 56-year-old signed a working paper until 2027, before terminating his contract with VfL, which was valid until 2026. In addition to Letsch, Kai Hesse joins the team as a new assistant coach.
For Letsch it is a return to an old place of work. From 2012 to 2017 he worked in various roles in the Salzburg youth team, was also assistant to Roger Schmidt in 2013/14 and was interim coach of the professionals for two games in December 2015 – with one win and one draw. Via Erzgebirge Aue, Austria Vienna and Vitesse Arnheim, Letsch ended up in Bochum in September 2022, where he was released last April after 58 games with a points average of 1.09 due to the threat of relegation.
“We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement with Thomas Letsch and have been able to sign him as the new head coach of FC Red Bull Salzburg. Thomas knows our club very well from the past, but has also gained a lot of experience on the international stage in various leagues during his other coaching positions. With the rapid clarification of this important personnel matter, we can continue planning for the most successful spring season possible without restrictions,” said sports director Rouven Schröder.
Letsch added: “It feels very good to be here again. For me, FC Red Bull Salzburg is a special club with which I have already experienced a lot and to which I can now return as head coach. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone here at the club as quickly as possible. It is important to me that we grow together as a team, because we will only be successful if everyone pulls together.”
Salzburg has been in a sporting crisis for weeks. Under Lijnders, who was signed in the summer, the team qualified for the Champions League, but the Red Bulls have mostly had no chance in the league phase so far – RB have three points after six games – and the former series champions are in the Bundesliga after 16 match days only fifth place in the table.
