Dario Fossi’s return is imminent

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Oldenburg – The wait for the head coach of the regional league football club VfB Oldenburg continues, but the probability is increasing that the promotion coach will be re-used. “I will not comment on any names, with the clear exception of Dario Fossi,” said sports director Sebastian Schachten on Tuesday in an interview with our editorial team when they asked him about a meeting between Alexander Nouri and the club’s management.

According to information from our editorial team, Schachten and sports director Andreas Boll had a conversation with the former coach of VfB and Werder Bremen, who lives in Ammerland, a few days ago. The result: the two sides will not meet again. Nouri already worked in several positions for VfB from 2010 to 2014 and is currently without a club. After stints at Werder Bremen, FC Ingolstadt, Hertha BSC and AO Kavala (second division in Greece), the 45-year-old has been waiting for a new job for more than a year. Instead, Nouri continues to run his company “International Football Concepts”.

“Interesting option”

Meanwhile, Fossi was one of the hottest candidates from the start after Fuat Kilic was released the Saturday before last. Schachten had immediately stressed that he considered the 2022 promotion hero to be a “very, very good coach” and, when asked further on Tuesday, said meaningfully: “Dario is an interesting option for us.” I have already said that. I stand by that.”

The sporting director did not reveal when the new coach would be officially introduced. “Frank Löning will look after the team until we have found a successor.” “We will take the time we need to make a calm decision,” said Schachten. It is therefore quite possible that Löning will once again be on the sidelines as interim boss this Saturday (6 p.m.) in the home game against FC St. Pauli II. “I don’t want to rule that out at this point,” said Schachten. “We have our circle of candidates who are interesting to us and a large number of applications.” We are having intensive discussions with them. This cannot be done in one conversation. “We want to choose the best options for the club from the available options,” said the sporting director, explaining Oldenburg’s approach.

Waiting for new task

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Fossi led VfB back into professional football in 2022 after 25 years. During the second half of the third division season, the club parted ways after only one win in the last 15 games of the German-Italian team. Fossi has now completed his UEFA Pro license, which is the highest coaching license in Germany, and is waiting for a new challenge.

Another possible reason why an agreement is taking so long is the solution to the assistant coach position. Frank Löning has been working as VfB’s assistant coach since the 2022/23 third division season, stepping in on an interim basis several times. However, new head coaches often want to bring their own “co” with them. “We understand that a coach wants to have someone they can trust.” But it has to be economical. We cannot hire three assistant coaches like in the Bundesliga. “It has to be feasible,” Schachten said on Saturday after the goalless draw in Todesfelde.