The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Mark-ing it up to a new beginning in Germany
Mark Fotheringham waited eight long months for his return to football in Germany, writes
Sean Hamilton.
That’s why FC Ingolstadt’s new Dundee-born coach isn’t sweating it over the season being suspended.
Former Celtic, Dundee and Dundee United man Fotheringham joined Ingolstadt’s backroom team under new manager Tomas Oral last week.
Days later, the German season was halted.
With all training and matches cancelled amidst the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, Fotheringham has jetted home to Angus to be with his family.
But he insists frustration over the false start to his new job is outweighed by his delight at having bagged it.
He said: “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. None of us have.
“But listen, I’ve got time to do some homework now.
“I’ll be watching loads of videos of us and loads of videos of our opposition.
“The great thing is that you can do all that from home these days.
“Promotion is the aim for us this season.
“The club is the biggest club in the 3. Liga – it was in the Bundesliga a few years ago, which says it all.
“Going up would be massive. Getting into the 2. Bundesliga would be worth a lot of money to the club.
“That’s the aim for the manager and I’ll be right there behind him, helping the players push themselves.
“We’ve had a few training sessions with them and we worked them hard.
“But I can see there’s desire there and they can see what we’re all about now.
“I can’t wait to get back out there.”