Mainz actors speak in unison after win: "A victory for Bo Svensson."
After securing their first win of the season with a stunning upset of RB Leipzig, FSV Mainz 05 players and administrators were in total agreement as to who the victory should be dedicated to.
After parting company with dearly-respected and generally successful trainer Bo Svensson two days ago, FSV Mainz 05 have managed to halt an 11-match winless run and pull themselves off the bottom of the Bundesliga table. The Rheinhessen - not necessarily very enthusiastic about letting the successful head-coach who once rescued them from relegation go - were all in agreement about how important the victory was to Svensson's tenure.
FSV sporting director Martin Schmidt, still managing to look somewhat disappointed despite the win, called the result "the effect we had been hoping for". The club administrator responsible for bringing the Danish head-coach in back in January of 2021 then revealed with some degree of emotion what Svensson had told the squad shortly before leaving.
"The team knew after we said goodbye to Bo that it was also up to us," Schmidt told Sky Germany after the game, "I think that's exactly what Bo told the team. Fight for me on Saturday, if you win, it's the greatest gift you can give me, because I believe in you."
Interim trainer Jan Siewert, who had worked under Svensson during the last two-and-a-half years, made clear that he considered the win a commemoration to his former co-coach. Siewert's involvement with the club preceded Svensson's arrival. It remains unclear as to whether he'll be working under the new coaching regime or potentially take over on a permanent basis himself.
"This is a victory for the club, for the players, for the staff and, from my side, absolutely for Bo Svensson." The 41-year-old remarked in his post-match interview, "With a true spirit, I'm happy that we were able to pull it together today."
Veteran German footballer Danny da Costa also paid tribute to his long-time gaffer in his post-match comments. The former Eintracht Frankfurt professional owed much to Svensson, who helped him continue his German top flight career after the SGE let him slide into the ranks of the expendables.
"We also owed it to Bo Svensson," da Costa said, "He's done so much for us in recent weeks and months. Hereally got stuck in and kept coming up with new ideas. It was definitely also down to him that we were able to win this game."