VfL Bochum has been stuck in the second division for eleven years.
This period of suffering could soon be over.
Despite the 2-0 defeat against Hamburger SV last weekend, the traditional club is in first place in the table with nine game days to go.
A remarkable athletic development with a remarkable athletic architect.
Trainer Thomas Reis is different from many of his professional colleagues.
For one thing, he's remarkably loyal to his club.
As a professional, the 47-year-old played for VfL for eight years.
After his career, he went through a number of stations in the club.
He worked as an assistant coach, as a youth coach and also as a coach for the women's team.
Reis now benefits from these experiences.
Here he explains the upswing.