1. FC Lok Leipzig presents Torsten Ziegner as new head coach

The Thuringia native looks back on a long football career. As a professional, he played for FC Carl Zeiss Jena, FSV Zwickau, FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt and Stuttgarter Kickers. He then moved to the touchline and also coached Zwickau, Hallescher FC and Würzburger Kickers before going to Duisburg. With Zwickau, he celebrated promotion to the 3. Liga in 2016.

Clear words at the presentation

At his presentation, Ziegner set out clear sporting goals. "Der FC Lok und seine Erfolge führen dazu, dass die Erwartungshaltung groß ist. Ein Mittelfeldplatz gehört nicht dazu. Wir wollen vorn mit dabei sein, auch wenn wir jetzt noch nicht wissen, wie sich die Konkurrenz zum Beispiel aus Aue, Jena und Halle aufstellt. Ich habe nichts anderes vor, als erfolgreich zu sein. Dafür werde ich alles tun. Der Weg ist noch nicht zu Ende", said the new coach. With Erzgebirge Aue, FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Hallescher FC, he named possible rivals in the Regionalliga Nordost.

Seitz departs after two championships

The previous coach Jochen Seitz had left the club after two championships, with the club failing in the promotion playoff to the 3. Liga on both occasions. In his farewell message, Seitz explained: "Ich hatte leider keine Energie mehr, den dritten Anlauf zu nehmen." This brought an end to an era in which Lok Leipzig came close to promotion in sporting terms but did not want to make another attempt for personnel reasons.

With Ziegner, the club is bringing in a coach who knows the region and the clubs in eastern Germany from personal experience. His stints as a player and coach in Jena, Zwickau, Erfurt, Halle and Würzburg make him a connoisseur of football in central Germany. The new head coach will prepare the team for the coming season in the Regionalliga Nordost.

The signing of Ziegner is also understood by the club as a signal to the supporters to continue on the chosen path. After the two failed promotion playoffs, the third attempt is to be crowned with success this time. From a sporting perspective, it remains to be seen how the competition from Aue, Jena and Halle will line up and what role other clubs will play in the promotion race.