Bochum relegated from the Bundesliga
Bochum have been relegated to Bundesliga 2 following their 4-1 defeat against Mainz on Matchday 33, putting an end to their four-year spell in Germany's top flight.
The result, Bochum's 21st defeat of 2024/25, confirmed their demotion after a rollercoaster season that included victories over both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as well as draws with RB Leipzig and defending champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Hecking, 60, is the club's third head coach this season. Peter Ziedler was dismissed after collecting just one point from the team's opening eight games, with interim successor Markus Feldhoff losing his two matches at the helm.
Yet even the experienced Hecking was unable to steer the team to calmer waters - despite the aforementioned eye-catching results against some of the league's top teams. Their tally of 31 goals scored is the second lowest in the Bundesliga, while the 67 conceded also gave them the second-leakiest defence behind fellow relegated side Holstien Kiel.
It is the seventh time that Bochum have been relegated from the Bundesliga, with only Nuremberg and Arminia Bielefeld suffering the same fate more often.
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Reflecting on his side's season, Hecking aptly summarised: “There were too many unfortunate defeats. In the end, it is what it is and then you find yourself in eighteenth.”
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 Bundesliga 2 season, he continued: "Others, of course, don't want to stay in the second division for as long as possible. I won't say we'll be promoted right away, but we have to do everything we can to put together a team that can compete at the end of the day. That will be the task we have to accomplish."
Speaking on the club's relegation, captain Anthony Losilla said: "Unfortunately, this season went a bit wrong. But I'm convinced, with people like these, with fans like these, we'll be back in the Bundesliga very soon. The club deserves it, these fans deserve it."
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