In October 2017, those responsible at SG Flensburg-Handewitt wondered whether Maik Machulla was the right coach.

At that time he had followed the dazzling Ljubomir Vranjes, suffered defeats at the start of the season and was criticized.

But the SG held on to him.

And then experienced the best years in the club's history: in 2018 and 2019, the Flensburg team became German handball champions with Machulla on the bench.

In these December days, the 45-year-old handball teacher with a contract until the summer of 2026 is going through his second difficult phase in Flensburg.

On Sunday, SG lost 30:31 in Leipzig in the last second, after conceding an embarrassing 26:30 in the European League against Ystad.

Machulla's team dropped out of the title race with ten minus points, although the well-rehearsed team was considered a favorite by experts.

After fourth place in 2021/22, another season far away from the Champions League places is on the horizon.

That's why Machulla's work is viewed with suspicion - by the fans for a long time, by the superiors currently still understanding and benevolent.

This may also be due to the fact that the change from Dierk Schmäschke to Holger Glandorf in the office has caused a change and there is already enough unrest.

Glandorf is looking for his profile.

Too much need for harmony

Machulla is in the comfortable position of having 16 largely fit professionals on the team - an unusual luxury for handball conditions.

Unlike before, he also uses most of them.

But instead of getting quality from all positions, the responsibility is now shifted to the next man.

The coach has to make sure that nobody becomes a bench press and that there is a use for everyone - not just seven stars.

Machulla has missed a lot here in the past, as he himself admits: "I'm a coach who doesn't change a lot, so I have to improve," he told "Flensborg Avis" before the season.

He's getting the receipt for that.

There is also an unusual coming and going.

The Scandinavian pillars used to stay forever, now Simon Hald, Magnus Rød and Gøran Søgard are leaving the group in the summer.

Franz Semper and Anton Lindskog should also leave, goalkeeper Benjamin Buric and leader Jim Gottfridsson have toyed with changes.

Culturally, too, there is a lot of upheaval, because the powerful leaders of the past have stopped and their successors like Captain Johannes Golla are calm characters.

It's a good, quiet team that's running up there in blue and red.

Much sticks to Machulla.

In this respect, the squad is sporty, but not well put together in terms of character.

No development

Far from post throws, form dents, weak defensive work or a lack of self-confidence, the question of wear and tear arises for every coach in the sixth year.

The team doesn't move away from him, says Machulla, dealing with everyday life is good: "The boys follow me." But he hasn't developed his team this season.

Convenience has spread, it was said from the team, self-criticism was loud.

Does everyone have enough hunger for success?

"We can't say before the season we want to be champions and then play games like we did in Ystad," says Gottfridsson.

Like goalkeeper Kevin Møller, he stands in front of the coach.

In the background, Advisory Board Chairman Boy Meesenburg will be looking at what SG is delivering in the prestige games against Kiel and in the cup against HSV on December 18th and 22nd.

Machulla relies on the personal responsibility of its professionals.

Pressure and punishment are not his tools.

But the leap of faith has now been used up, he said – and it sounded like self-protection.