Bundesliga Strugglers Bochum Appoint Ex-Wolfsburg Boss Hecking as Head Coach

Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)
Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)
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Bundesliga Strugglers Bochum Appoint Ex-Wolfsburg Boss Hecking as Head Coach

Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)
Then Moenchengladbach head coach Dieter Hecking gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP)

Bundesliga strugglers VfL Bochum have named former VfL Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking as their new head coach on a contract until the end of the season, the club said on Monday.

The 60-year-old replaces fellow German Peter Zeidler, who was fired last month.

Having last managed Nuremberg on a temporary basis in the 2022-23 season, Hecking also had spells at Hamburger SV, Borussia Monchengladbach, among others.

He won the German Cup and Supercup with Wolfsburg in 2015 and was named German Football Manager of the Year that same year.

Bochum are bottom of the table with one point from nine games. Their last match was a 7-2 thrashing at Eintracht Frankfurt and they next host reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.



Liverpool’s Konate Downplays Injury, Says He Won’t Miss Game Time

Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate reacts to an injury during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 2, 2024. (AFP)
Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate reacts to an injury during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 2, 2024. (AFP)
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Liverpool’s Konate Downplays Injury, Says He Won’t Miss Game Time

Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate reacts to an injury during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 2, 2024. (AFP)
Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate reacts to an injury during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 2, 2024. (AFP)

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate said the arm injury he sustained against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday is not as bad as initially feared and that he will be ready for the Premier League leaders' next game.

The 25-year-old France international was replaced by Joe Gomez after being forced off at half-time against Brighton at Anfield, where Liverpool came from a goal down to win 2-1.

"My injury isn't serious thankfully. I had a scan today and it confirmed there is no break," Konate posted on Instagram on Sunday. "I'll be ready for the next game."

Arne Slot's side can ill-afford to lose more players to injury with first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, right back Conor Bradley, midfielder Harvey Elliott and forwards Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa all missing at the weekend.

Liverpool next host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday followed by another home game against Aston Villa in the league on Saturday.