This comes as a surprise. Frank Schmöller and TSV 1860 Munich will go their separate ways starting this summer. The successor comes from our own ranks.
Munich – This wasn’t necessarily to be expected. Frank Schmöller and TSV 1860 Munich part ways in the summer. As the club announced on Friday, the U21 coach does not want to extend his contract. After Maurizio Jacobacci was fired, the 57-year-old was briefly in charge of the first team before Argirios Giannikis took over.
“It was five incredible years that I was able to spend at TSV 1860 Munich. I was able to get to know a lot of great and committed people and that's why I will always remain connected to the club," the ex-professional is quoted as saying in the Lions' press release. “I've been on the football pitch almost every day for 21 years and I'm really happy to be able to take a break. I would like to spend at least half a year doing other things and discovering what the world outside of football has to offer me.”
Felix Hirschnagl takes over from Frank Schmöller as U21 coach of TSV 1860 Munich
A few days ago, in an interview with Fussball Suburb/FuPa Oberbayern, he emphasized that it's not always easy at sixty, "but it's incredibly fun to work with the players and people." It was even conceivable for Schmöller to work as an assistant coach alongside the current head coach. “I could even imagine the role of assistant coach under a coach like Argirios Giannikis.”
The Lions have already presented Felix Hirschnagel as their successor, who will be responsible for the Blues' U17 Bundesliga team until the end of the season. “I’m really looking forward to the new task that I can take on at TSV 1860 Munich,” said the 39-year-old after his introduction. “I started my career at the Lions together with Frank Schmöller and maintained a lively exchange with him over the years. I really appreciate him as a person and am happy to be able to take over and develop a team that he shaped.”
“Frank Schmöller was a stroke of luck for the Munich Lions.”
NLZ leader Manfred Paula.
Sports director Christian Werner praised the outgoing Schmöller as an “absolute team player” who had postponed his vacation for his time as interim professional coach. “I would like to thank him very much for that and for his services to the U21 team and the training of talent.” Schmöller will be farewelled during the third division game against Borussia Dortmund’s second team at the Grünwalder Stadium at the beginning of May.
NLZ boss Manfred Paula also speaks highly of the former Hamburger SV center forward after his farewell. “Frank Schmöller was a stroke of luck for the Munich Lions. We will miss his personality, his experience and his expertise very much,” believes the 59-year-old. “Year after year he played a very good role with his young teams in the men’s Bayernliga and developed players.” (jb)