Markus Babbel on the hot seat at TSG Hoffenheim?
Markus Babbel-head coach of Hoffenheim / Photo via: Ghetty Images
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are continuing their dreadful start to the season with their third loss in three games. If we include the embarrassing loss to a Fourth division team in the first round of the German Cup, then Hoffenheim has yet to win an official game this season.
The first alarm clocks started ringing when Hoffenheim was handed the loss during the cup. However, it isn’t just that they lost, it is how they lost. They were completely dominated by the lower division squad and rightfully got dropped by 4:0.
Things haven’t gotten better in the league with them losing all three games and giving up a staggering 11 goals in that time. The amount of goals conceded is the most shocking.
Going into the season with high ambitions to challenge for the international spots, this has been nothing but disappointing. They were busy in the offseason acquiring internationally experienced goalie Tim Wiese, and updating their front line with Swiss international Erin Derdiyok and Spanish talent Joselu from Real Madrid. One cause to their problems could be all the new talent; with so many new faces in the lineup it will take time for the team to grow together.
Regardless of cause, Coach Markus Babbel is currently under steep criticism. Some suspect that he may be sacked this week.
As of right now the club owner, business man Dietmar Hopp has vowed to stay calm and put his trust in Babbel to turn things around with the team. However, this is not the first time a coach has received a vote of confidence shortly before being replaced. Babbel is under further criticism since he took over the Manager role for the club, on top of his coaching position, when former manager Ernst Tanner was fired. It is surely Babbel’s team but with the new acquisitions struggling, there is bound to be blame placed on the manager. Tuesday, Hoffenheim replaced Babbel as Director of Football with Andreas Mueller.
It will be interesting to see how this week will play out, if Markus Babbel is on the touch line next weekend at home against a strong Hannover team only a victory will save his job.
