“He will help us avoid relegation.”

In what amounts to a fairly profound statement from a relegation-threatened club, VfL Bochum confirmed a contract extension for head-coach Thomas Letsch on Thursday.

Despite the fact that (with just one win from 12 Bundesliga match-days) matters aren’t exactly looking bright for 14th-placed Bundesliga side VfL Bochum, the Revierklub sought to make clear on Thursday that they had full confidence in their current head-coach to help them avoid the drop this season. Trainer Thomas Letsch received a contract extension that will ideally keep him with the 1848ers through 2026.

“We are delighted that Thomas Letsch has extended his contract,” VfL manager Patrick Fabian noted in a statement accompanying the news, “Continuity in development is furthered by continuity in the key positions. Thomas Letsch took over our team in an extremely difficult situation and led us away from relegation. We want to continue on this successful path together. Thomas has got to know and appreciate the Bochum community and has earned their respect through his successful work.”

“We are convinced that with Thomas Letsch as head coach,” Fabian’s front-office colleague Marc Lettau added, “we will also be able to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga this season. In addition to this objective in the table, we will continue to work together consistently on the sporting development of our team and I look forward to continuing to work with Thomas and the entire coaching team.”

“It is and remains a privilege for me to be able to coach VfL Bochum in the future,” Letsch himself said, “This is exactly the right place for me – in the city of Bochum, at VfL and with its wonderful people. I am very grateful for that. Thank you to the fans for their great daily commitment.Cohesion, honesty, and hard work. That’s what characterises VfL and will continue to be the basis for our major goal of staying in the league.”

More about Bochum