Does the dream of promotion burst?: St. Pauli makes life difficult for itself

You will probably only find out at some point after the end of the season whether it was really a topic of conversation in the cabin and robbed the team of valuable energy in the fight for promotion.

Those responsible at FC St. Pauli are currently trying to refute the impression that late contract talks with the coaches and players caused uncertainty and initiated the fall from the top of the table to fifth place.

The manager of sports, Andreas Bornemann, is under criticism.

Nine professional contracts expire at the end of June.

Three assistant coaches have been waiting for clear announcements for weeks.

Coach Timo Schultz of all people provided food for thought when he said after the 1-1 draw in Sandhausen two weeks ago: "It's a pity that we haven't had a new standing since December.

Little has actually happened in the last three or four months.

I'm in constant contact with the players and assistant coaches, let's wait and see."

For the usual professional football diplomacy, these were open words – not just chosen in frustration after a late goal.

But consciously.

There should also have been a dispute about cup and promotion bonuses.

In the meantime, Bornemann has defended himself, pointing out the uncertain situation of FC between the leagues and also pointing out that well-deserved leading players (Ziereis, Buchtmann, Benatelli) with contracts from the times of his predecessor might not have a future at the Kiez club.

Accordingly, there should have been signals to the players concerned.

It should be as clear as day that this was an issue in the cabin.

Even if Bornemann has good arguments for his actions, this hesitation is associated with the sobering results: St. Pauli have taken three points from the past five games.

The late Nuremberg equalizer on Friday meant the end of dreams of promotion - and that after a first half of the season with 36 points.

Did internal quarrels prevent promotion?

Instead of striving for the championship, FC is now looking for someone who brought the contract issue to the public.

President Oke Göttlich turned against those who would pass on "internal talks": "The development of the club is not relevant for this individual." Stories that are known from HSV, but have rarely been delivered there for a long time.

There should not be a rift between Schultz and Bornemann.

And an open contractual situation does not necessarily have to paralyze professionals - especially since it is normal for clubs to answer such questions late.

Especially in the pandemic.

But somehow somewhere at some point in this situation, leaders like Guido Burgstaller lost focus on the big goal - and incidentally the team realized that there was a lot to lose when St. Pauli beat 1. FC after the 1-0 win Heidenheim had been top of the table again on March 18th.

The frustrated fans have little use for Göttlich's term "development".

You can't shake the feeling that FC, out of their well-known thriftiness, is giving up a huge opportunity that only arises every few years: to outwit bigger players with a suitable coach and a harmonious team.

It's getting even harder now: a corona infection was detected in nine players and one member of the team environment on Sunday.

That was the result of PCR tests, as the club announced.

Training was canceled on Saturday to be on the safe side.

“Of course, this outbreak comes at a very bad time so close to the season finale.

It shows once again that despite all precautionary measures, the virus continues to pose a great risk.

We are in close consultation with the responsible authorities on this matter," said Bornemann.

The club wants to do everything to ensure that the game against leaders Schalke 04 can take place next Saturday "and that we have a competitive team," as Bornemann emphasized.