Kiel's experiences with relegation are not the best.
In 2015, after an exciting process, they failed at TSV 1860 Munich and stayed in the third division for another year.
Three years later there was an unequal duel for last place in the Bundesliga when Kiel lost two games to VfL Wolfsburg and then not only lost coach Markus Anfang to 1. FC Köln, but also three key players.
But on the other hand, the then beginning history proves Kiel's tenacity.
From the team of the 2018/19 season with coach Tim Walter, the soccer team developed, which has been coached by Ole Werner since September 2019 and, despite the disappointments of the past two weeks, wants to crown a great season: this Wednesday (6.30 p.m. in the FAZ- Live ticker for the Bundesliga and DAZN) at 1. FC Köln, on Saturday (6 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and at DAZN) at home in the Holstein Stadium then in the relegation second leg - Werner has to be tired twice and from injuries and Achieve suspension-afflicted team the way he has been able to do so all season. The qualities of a stand-up man will definitely be in demand.
"We were always the strongest this season when nobody put a damn on us," says Werner.
Of course, the 33-year-old from Kiel is thinking of winning against FC Bayern Munich after a penalty shoot-out in the cup.
He also means the phase in the last third of the season, when the team got through its second quarantine in April, was not allowed to train as a team and still scored 16 points from six games after the forced break.
That was impressive.
Two supports are missing in the first leg
After that, however, Holstein awarded two match balls. In Karlsruhe and against Darmstadt the “Storks” led 1-0 to the break and were allowed to feel like promoted players. But then there were two crashes for the German champions from 1912, who had never played in the Bundesliga: First the 2: 3 at KSC with a late goal that was withdrawn after VAR intervention. Then the same result against Darmstadt.
Then there were tears, for example with left-back Johannes van den Bergh. When Kiel was suddenly no longer allowed to play as an "underdog" when there was something to lose, the burden was too great for shoulders and heads: Holstein, the best defense in the second division, received six goals in two games. The fact that midfield supports Jonas Meffert and Alexander Mühling are now suspended in the first part of the season finale is a handicap. The squad offers no alternatives for the position of the “six”.
But now Holstein is back in the valued outsider role - and Cologne is the clear favorite in the relegation. History shows that the club from the second division rarely has a chance. The respective Bundesliga club has won nine times since relegation was reintroduced in 2009. Werner has adjusted the expectations of his team a couple of times: "It's crazy that we are disappointed now because we finished third." With a small budget of eleven million euros, the Kiel team achieved this.
You are looking for star players in vain - Werner's supporters are defender Hauke Wahl, midfield director Jae-Sung Lee and the attackers Fin Bartels and Janni Serra. Lee and Serra will leave the club no matter where Holstein plays next season. Adversity threatens from elsewhere on the transfer market, because Werner is being courted. And Mühling, Meffert and Wahl could also consider if the ascent should fail. Looking ahead to the next second division season does not bode well with the heavyweights Schalke and Bremen.
So there is a lot at stake for Kiel. Nevertheless, they do not let themselves be disturbed on the fjord. There have been changes in all responsible positions in the past three years, coaches and sports directors came and went, regular players could not be retained. Nevertheless, Holstein Kiel looks stable. In the background there are two solvent large sponsors; Wolfgang Schwenke as commercial director and President Steffen Schneekloth hold the reins in their hands. Should Holstein stay in the second division, the club will continue to work to establish itself there.