Dieter Hecking
{{short description|German football manager (born 1964)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Dieter Hecking
| full_name = Dieter-Klaus Hecking
| image = Dieter Hecking - Pressekonferenz zur Vorstellung von Luiz Gustavo 2013 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Hecking in 2013
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|9|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Castrop-Rauxel, West Germany
| currentclub = VfL Bochum (manager)
| position = Midfielder
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Westfalia Soest
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Soester SV
| youthyears3 =
| youthclubs3 = Borussia Lippstadt
| youthyears4 =
| youthclubs4 = 1. FC Paderborn
| years1 = 1983–1985
| clubs1 = Borussia Mönchengladbach
| caps1 = 6
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1985–1990
| clubs2 = Hessen Kassel
| caps2 = 168
| goals2 = 63
| years3 = 1990–1992
| clubs3 = Waldhof Mannheim
| caps3 = 54
| goals3 = 14
| years4 = 1992–1994
| clubs4 = VfB Leipzig
| caps4 = 61
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 1994–1996
| clubs5 = TuS Paderborn-Neuhaus
| caps5 = 71
| goals5 = 24
| years6 = 1996–1999
| clubs6 = Hannover 96
| caps6 = 74
| goals6 = 22
| years7 = 1999–2000
| clubs7 = Eintracht Braunschweig
| caps7 = 18
| goals7 = 5
| totalcaps = 452
| totalgoals = 129
| nationalyears1 = 1985–1986
| nationalteam1 = West Germany U21
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 8
| manageryears1 = 2000–2001
| managerclubs1 = SC Verl
| manageryears2 = 2001–2004
| managerclubs2 = VfB Lübeck
| manageryears3 = 2004–2006
| managerclubs3 = Alemannia Aachen
| manageryears4 = 2006–2009
| managerclubs4 = Hannover 96
| manageryears5 = 2009–2012
| managerclubs5 = 1. FC Nürnberg
| manageryears6 = 2012–2016
| managerclubs6 = VfL Wolfsburg
| manageryears7 = 2016–2019
| managerclubs7 = Borussia Mönchengladbach
| manageryears8 = 2019–2020
| managerclubs8 = Hamburger SV
| manageryears9 = 2023
| managerclubs9 = 1. FC Nürnberg
| manageryears10= 2024–
| managerclubs10= VfL Bochum
}}
Dieter-Klaus Hecking ({{IPA|de|ˈdiːtɐ ˈhɛkɪŋ|pron}}; born 12 September 1964) is a German football manager and former professional player who is the manager of Bundesliga club VfL Bochum. He played for Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig as a midfielder. He returned to manage Hannover despite the long-standing and bitter rivalry between the two clubs.
Managerial career
=Early career (2000–2004)=
On 1 July 2000, Hecking moved into management as he took over as manager at Regionalliga Nord outfit SC Verl.{{cite web|title=SC Verl .:. Coaches from A-Z|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/sc-verl/9/|publisher=Worldfootball|access-date=10 February 2013|language=de}} His first match was a 2–0 loss to Eintracht Braunschweig on 1 August 2000.{{cite web|title=SC Verl|url=https://www.kicker.de/sc-verl/spielplan|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} However, Hecking's proclamations that he was seeking a new position irked the club to such an extent they fired him after just 20 games in charge. He was sacked on 31 January 2001. His final match was a 2–1 win to Tennis Borussia Berlin. Verl were in seventh place when Hecking was sacked.{{cite web|title=Regionalliga Nord (2000–2008) – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlligen/regionalliga-nord-36/2000-01/21/0/spieltag.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308110823/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlligen/regionalliga-nord-36/2000-01/21/0/spieltag.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 March 2018|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}
Hecking wasn't free for long as another Regionalliga Nord side, VfB Lübeck, came calling on 27 March 2001.{{cite web|title=VfB Lübeck .:. Coaches from A-Z|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/vfb-luebeck/9/|publisher=Worldfootball|access-date=10 February 2013}} His first match was a 1–0 loss to Fortuna Düsseldorf on 30 March 2001.{{cite web|title=VfB Lübeck|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfb-luebeck/spielplan|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} Hecking achieved a solid job in the remaining games, leaving the club in third place, just one short of promotion.{{cite web|title=Regionalliga Nord (2000–2008) – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlligen/regionalliga-nord-36/2000-01/38/0/spieltag.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928211450/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlligen/regionalliga-nord-36/2000-01/38/0/spieltag.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2015|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} This set the basis for the following season as the team claimed the title and moved up into the 2. Bundesliga.{{cite web|title=Regionalliga Nord (2000–2008) – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlligen/regionalliga-nord-36/2001-02/34/0/spieltag.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929013903/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlligen/regionalliga-nord-36/2001-02/34/0/spieltag.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2015|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} Hecking then managed to secure Lübeck an 11th place in the 2002–03 season.{{cite web|title=2. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/2002-03/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}{{cite web|title=VfB Lübeck|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfb-luebeck/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2002-03|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}
The following season proved to have mixed results. Hecking led the club to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, where they were eliminated by eventual double winners SV Werder Bremen after extra-time. After this, the team collapsed and was relegated with a 2–0 loss to SpVgg Greuther Fürth on the final day.{{cite web|title=2. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/2003-04/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}{{cite news|title=Hecking wird Berger-Nachfolger|url=https://www.kicker.de/hecking-wird-berger-nachfolger-299746/artikel|access-date=10 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=1 June 2004|language=de}}{{cite web|title=VfB Lübeck|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfb-luebeck/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2003-04|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} Hecking rejected the club's offer to stay and he left the club on 25 May 2004.{{cite news|title=Hecking verlässt den VfB|url=https://www.kicker.de/hecking-verlaesst-den-vfb-299362/artikel|access-date=10 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=25 May 2004|language=de}}
=Alemannia Aachen (2004–2006)=
A week after leaving Lübeck, Alemannia Aachen sporting director Jörg Schmadtke announced that Hecking would replace departing coach Jörg Berger.
Hecking's first match was a 1–1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on 9 August 2004.{{cite web|title=Alemannia Aachen|url=https://www.kicker.de/alemannia-aachen/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2004-05|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} During the 2004–05 season, Alemannia Aachen participated in the UEFA Cup, becoming the first ever 2. Bundesliga team to reach the third round, where they were eliminated by AZ Alkmaar.{{Cite web |title=Cinderella Advances in UEFA Cup – DW – 12/16/2004 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/cinderella-advances-in-uefa-cup/a-1429864 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=dw.com |language=en}} In the German Cup, Alemannia Aachen were eliminated in the second round by Bayern Munich. In the league, Alemannia Aachen finished in sixth place.{{cite web|title=2. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/2004-05/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}} The following season, Aachen finished second in the 2. Bundesliga and was promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in 36 years.{{Cite news |date=2006-04-16 |title=Aachener Aufstieg: Nach 36 Jahren zurück in der Bundesliga |url=https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/aachener-aufstieg-nach-36-jahren-zurueck-in-der-bundesliga-a-411640.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}{{cite web|title=2. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/2005-06/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}
Hecking's time guiding Alemannia Aachen in the top flight was short. Just three games in, he requested to be able to leave the club for his former club and fellow Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on 7 September 2006, to fill the vacancy left by their sacking of Peter Neururer.{{cite news|title=Hecking wechselt zu 96|url=https://www.kicker.de/hecking-wechselt-zu-96-354657/artikel|access-date=10 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=7 September 2006|language=de}} Ironically, the final straw for Neururer was a 0–3 home defeat to Hecking's Alemannia Aachen. Alemannia Aachen were in 14th place when Hecking left the club.{{cite web|title=Alemannia Aachen|url=https://www.kicker.de/alemannia-aachen/spielplan/bundesliga/2006-07|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2006-07/3/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 December 2016|language=de}}
=Hannover 96 (2006–2009)=
Hecking became manager on 7 September 2006, officially taking the manager's job with immediate effect on 7 September 2006. However, caretaker manager Michael Schjönberg managed the DFB-Pokal match against Dynamo Dresden on 9 September 2006.{{cite web|title=Die Spielstatistik Dynamo Dresden – Hannover 96|url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/dfb/2007/runde1/dresden-hannover/|publisher=Fussballdaten.de|access-date=11 February 2013|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017171516/http://fussballdaten.de/dfb/2007/runde1/dresden-hannover/|archive-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Schjönberg siegt, Stohn nicht|url=https://www.kicker.de/dresden-gegen-hannover-2006-dfb-pokal-771412/spielbericht|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=9 September 2006|language=de}} Hannover paid compensation of nearly a million euros to get Hecking.{{Cite web |title=Hanover Find New Man to Turn Fortunes Around – DW – 09/08/2006 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/hanover-find-new-man-to-turn-fortunes-around/a-2167692 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=dw.com |language=en}}
Hecking recovered Hannover from a dismal start that left them bottom at the time of his arrival. The team also achieved a good run through to the quarter finals of the cup,{{cite web|title=Hannover 96|url=https://www.kicker.de/hannover-96/spielplan/bundesliga/2006-07|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} and finished comfortably in 11th place in the Bundesliga.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2006-07/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} During the following season, Hanover were knocked out of the German Cup in the second round by Schalke 04.{{cite web|title=Hannover 96|url=https://www.kicker.de/hannover-96-58/spielplan/1-bundesliga/2007-08|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Hannover improved on their league position by finishing in eighth place, their best finish in 43 years.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2007-08/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} In the summer, Hecking suggested that the team would aim for a UEFA Cup place in the following league season.{{Cite book |last=Reng |first=Ronald |title=A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke |publisher=Yellow Jersey Press |year=2011 |isbn=9780224091664 |pages=312–313 |language=EN}} Hannover started the 2008–09 season with a 5–0 cup win against Hallescher FC on 9 August 2008.{{cite web|title=Hannover 96|url=https://www.kicker.de/hannover-96/spielplan/bundesliga/2008-09|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} They were eventually eliminated in the second round by Schalke, for the second consecutive year.
Hannover finished the 2008–09 season in 11th place.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2008-09/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} On 19 August 2009 Hecking resigned from his post after a disappointing 2008–09 season and a slow start to the 2009–10 season, including a loss to Eintracht Trier in the first round of the cup.{{cite news|title=Bergmann rückt bei 96 auf|url=https://www.kicker.de/bergmann-rueckt-bei-96-auf-513374/artikel|access-date=21 March 2015|newspaper=kicker|date=20 August 2009|language=de}}{{cite news|title=Hecking: "Es war spontan"|url=https://www.kicker.de/hecking_es-war-spontan-513401/artikel|access-date=10 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=20 August 2009|language=de}} Hecking's final match was a 1–1 draw against Mainz.{{cite web|title=Hannover 96|url=https://www.kicker.de/hannover-96/spielplan/bundesliga/2009-10|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}}
=1. FC Nürnberg (2009–2012)=
On 22 December 2009, he was named as the new manager of 1. FC Nürnberg, replacing Michael Oenning.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.kicker.de/hecking_mission-klassenerhalt-518793/artikel | title = Hecking: Mission Klassenerhalt | language = de | magazine = Kicker | access-date = 18 August 2010 | date = 22 December 2009}} His first match was a 1–0 loss to Schalke on 17 January 2010.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/spielplan/bundesliga/2009-10|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Nürnberg finished in 16th place and went into the relegation playoff.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2009-10/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Nürnberg won both legs of the relegation playoff against Augsburg. During the 2010–11 season, Nürnberg reached the quarter-finals of the German Cup, where they were eliminated by Schalke.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/spielplan/bundesliga/2010-11|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Nürnberg finished in sixth place in the league.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2010-11/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} They had finished one spot and 11 points behind Mainz for a Europa League spot. Nürnberg started the 2011–12 season with a 5–1 win against Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/spielplan/bundesliga/2011-12|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} They were eventually eliminated in the round of 16. Nürnberg finished in 10th place in the league.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2011-12/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Hecking used a clause in his contract to leave the club.{{cite news|title=Nürnberg stellt Ismael frei|url=https://www.kicker.de/nuernberg-stellt-ismael-frei-615123/artikel|access-date=10 November 2014|publisher=kicker|date=10 November 2014|language=de}}{{cite news|title=Bescherung! Hecking übernimmt VfL|url=https://www.kicker.de/bescherung-hecking-uebernimmt-vfl-579515/artikel|access-date=10 February 2013|newspaper=kicker|date=22 December 2012|language=de}} His final match was a 1–1 draw against Werder Bremen on 16 December 2012.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/spielplan/bundesliga/2012-13|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Nürnberg were in 14th place when Hecking left the club.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2012-13/17/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Hecking finished with a record of 42 wins, 23 draws, and 47 losses in 112 matches.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=18 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106111519/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/1-fc-nuernberg-81/trainer.html|archive-date=6 January 2015|url-status=live}}
=VfL Wolfsburg (2012–2016)=
file:Krasnodar-Wolfsburg (6).jpg
Hecking became manager of Wolfsburg on 22 December 2012. Wolfsburg were in 15th place, behind 1. FC Nürnberg, over the winter break.{{Cite web |title=Hin- und Rückrundentabelle {{!}} 34. Spieltag {{!}} Bundesliga 2012/13 |url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/tabelle-hinrunde-rueckrunde/2012-13 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}
He made his debut on 19 January 2013 in a 2–0 win against Stuttgart.{{cite news|title=Diego versüßt Heckings Debüt bei den Wölfen|url=https://www.kicker.de/wolfsburg-gegen-stuttgart-2013-bundesliga-1441799/analyse|access-date=19 March 2015|publisher=kicker|date=19 January 2013}} Wolfsburg finished the season in 11th, only losing three times in the second half of the season, and also reaching the semi-final of the cup.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/spielplan/bundesliga/2012-13|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}}{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2012-13/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} In the 2013–14 season Wolfsburg again got to the semi-finals of the German Cup, this time losing to Borussia Dortmund.{{cite web |title=VfL Wolfsburg |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/spielplan/bundesliga/2013-14 |access-date=27 December 2016 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |language=de}} Wolfsburg finished the season in fifth place and won a spot in the Europa League.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2013-14/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}}
Wolfsburg started the 2014–15 season with a 2–1 loss to Bayern Munich. However, in the reverse fixture, Wolfsburg won 4–1, their first game after the death of midfielder Junior Malanda.{{Cite news |title=Wolfsburg 4–1 Bayern Munich |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30991047 |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} This victory was the first time Bayern had conceded four goals in a league game since Wolfsburg beat them 5–1 in 2009 on the way to the 2008–09 Bundesliga title.{{cite web |title=VfL Wolfsburg |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/spielplan/bundesliga/2014-15 |access-date=27 December 2016 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |language=de}}
In March 2015, in the Europa League, in the round of 16, Wolfsburg defeated Inter Milan by a 3–1 score in the first leg{{cite news|title=Carrizo patzt – De Bruyne bedankt sich doppelt|url=https://www.kicker.de/wolfsburg-gegen-inter-2015-europa-league-2834260/analyse|access-date=19 March 2015|publisher=kicker|date=12 March 2015|language=de}} and 2–1 in the second leg{{cite news|title=Lässig ins Viertelfinale|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/vfl-wolfsburg-in-der-europa-league-laessig-ins-viertelfinale-1.2402291|access-date=19 March 2015|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=19 March 2015|language=de}} for a 5–2 aggregate score.{{cite news|title=Caligiuri schießt Wolfsburg ins Viertelfinale|url=https://www.kicker.de/inter-gegen-wolfsburg-2015-europa-league-2834261/analyse|access-date=19 March 2015|publisher=kicker|date=19 March 2015|language=de}} Wolfsburg were eliminated by Napoli. Wolfsburg finished the league season in second place, 10 points behind Bayern.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2014-15/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} The second-place finish qualified Wolfsburg for the Champions League. On 30 May 2015 Wolfsburg defeated Borussia Dortmund 3–1 in the German Cup final.{{cite news|last1=Wallrodt|first1=Lars|title=In 16 Minuten zerstört Wolfsburg Dortmunds Pokaltraum|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/borussia-dortmund/article141692740/In-16-Minuten-zerstoert-Wolfsburg-Dortmunds-Pokaltraum.html|access-date=30 May 2015|work=Die Welt|date=30 May 2015|language=de}} This was Hecking's first major trophy.{{cite news|title=Wolfsburg beat Borussia Dortmund to take DFB Pokal glory|url=http://www.espnfc.us/german-dfb-pokal/match/419997/borussia-dortmund-vfl-wolfsburg/report|access-date=30 May 2015|agency=PA Sport|publisher=ESPN FC|date=30 May 2015}} Hecking was then voted Football Manager of the Year for 2015, while Wolfsburg's star player Kevin De Bruyne won the Footballer of the Year award.{{Cite web |title=Kevin De Bruyne ist Fußballer des Jahres |url=https://www.kicker.de/kevin-de-bruyne-ist-fussballer-des-jahres-631657/artikel |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} Hecking was praised for developing De Bruyne and Wolfsburg's other key players Bas Dost and Ricardo Rodriguez.{{Cite web |title=Hecking has engineered a Wolfsburg renaissance – DW – 03/01/2015 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/analysis-down-to-earth-hecking-has-made-wolfsburg-the-bundesligas-number-two/a-18288111 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=dw.com |language=en}}
Wolfsburg started the 2015–16 season by defeating Bayern Munich in a shootout to win the German Super Cup.{{cite news|last1=Uersfeld|first1=Stephan|title=Wolfsburg win German Super Cup on penalties as Bayern drought continues|url=http://www.espnfc.us/blog/the-match/60/post/2544225/wolfsburg-win-german-super-cup-as-bayern-drought-continues|access-date=27 December 2016|work=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|date=1 August 2015}} In the Champions League, Wolfsburg won Group B, finishing two points above PSV Eindhoven.{{cite web|title=Champions League – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/champions-league/spieltag/2015-16/6/3620|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Wolfsburg beat Gent to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Real Madrid despite 'stunning' the Spanish side with a 2–0 win in the first leg.{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=2016-04-06 |title=Real Madrid stunned by Wolfsburg's two goals in seven minutes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/06/wolfsburg-real-madrid-champions-league-match-report |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/spielplan/bundesliga/2015-16|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} However, the team struggled in the Bundesliga, producing the second-worst away record in the league and missed out on European football, finishing only eighth.{{Cite web |title=Season Review 2015/16 {{!}} VfL Wolfsburg |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bl1516-season-review-vfl-wolfsburg.jsp |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website |language=en}}{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2015-16/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}}
Wolfsburg sacked Hecking on 17 October 2016.{{cite news|title=Hecking muss gehen – Ismael als Zwischenlösung|url=https://www.kicker.de/hecking-muss-gehen---ismael-als-zwischenloesung-662619/artikel|access-date=17 October 2016|publisher=kicker|date=17 October 2016|language=de}} Hecking's final match was a 1–0 loss to RB Leipzig.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/spielplan/bundesliga/2016-17|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Wolfsburg were in 14th place when Wolfsburg sacked Hecking.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2016-17/7/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 December 2016|language=de}} Hecking finished with a record of 81 wins, 41 draws, and 43 losses in 165 matches.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=18 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207153820/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/vfl-wolfsburg-24/trainer.html|archive-date=7 December 2013|url-status=live}}
=Borussia Mönchengladbach (2016–2019)=
On 21 December 2016, Hecking was appointed as the new head coach by Borussia Mönchengladbach on a contract until 2019, with the short-term goal of ensuring the club's Bundesliga survival.{{cite news|title=Vertrag bis 2019: Hecking übernimmt Gladbach|url=https://www.kicker.de/vertrag-bis-2019_hecking-uebernimmt-gladbach-667333/artikel|access-date=21 December 2016|publisher=kicker|date=21 December 2016|language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Swift return to Bundesliga duty for new Gladbach coach Hecking {{!}} Borussia Mönchengladbach |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/noblmdwp-newsletter-swift-return-to-duty-for-hecking-at-gladbach-428910.jsp |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website |language=en}} Hecking led Gladbach to a famous comeback victory against ACF Fiorentina in the Europa League, but were then eliminated by Schalke, and also lost the semi-final of the 2016–17 DFB-Pokal to Eintracht Frankfurt.{{Cite web |title=Bor. Mönchengladbach Spielplan 2016/17 {{!}} Alle Wettbewerbe |url=https://www.kicker.de/bor-moenchengladbach/spielplan/bundesliga/2016-17 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} The team finished 9th in both of Hecking's first two seasons at the Borussia-Park.{{Cite web |title=Bor. Mönchengladbach {{!}} Vereinshistorie |url=https://www.kicker.de/bor-moenchengladbach/team-historie/bundesliga/2023-24 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}
On 2 April 2019, Gladbach's sporting director Max Eberl announced that Hecking's term would not be extended beyond the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web | url = https://bulinews.com/news/2328/gladbach-to-part-company-with-hecking-at-the-end-of-the-season | title = Gladbach to part company with Hecking at the end of the season | website = bulinews.com | date = 2 April 2019 | access-date = 29 April 2019}} His final game was a 2–0 loss to Borussia Dortmund, which caused the club to drop outside the Champions League qualification places.{{Cite web |title=Sancho und Reus verhelfen dem BVB nur zum Sieg |url=https://www.kicker.de/mgladbach-gegen-dortmund-2019-bundesliga-4243564/analyse |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} Hecking finished with a record of 43 wins, 23 draws, and 32 losses.{{cite web |title=Bor. Mönchengladbach — Trainer |url=https://www.kicker.de/bor-moenchengladbach/team-trainer/bundesliga/2018-19 |website=Kicker |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=3 June 2023 |language=German}}
=Hamburger SV (2019–2020)=
On 29 May 2019, Hecking signed a one-year contract to be the new manager of Hamburger SV, replacing Hannes Wolf.{{cite web | url = https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/fussball-hamburger-sv-verpflichtet-dieter-hecking-als-neuen-cheftrainer-a-1269904.html | title = Hecking soll den HSV zurück in die Bundesliga führen | website = Der Spiegel | language=de | date = 29 May 2019 }} He departed by mutual consent on 4 July 2020, after failing to achieve the target of promotion to the Bundesliga.{{Cite web |title=HSV and Dieter Hecking part company |url=https://www.hsv.de/en/news/hsv-and-dieter-hecking-part-company |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=HSV.de |language=en}} The season ended with a 5–1 home loss to SV Sandhausen, which was described as one of the lowest points in the club's history.{{Cite web |title=Warum Sandhausen für den HSV ein Ort voller Symbolik ist |url=https://www.kicker.de/warum-sandhausen-fuer-den-hsv-ein-ort-voller-symbolik-ist-952635/artikel |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} He finished with a record of 14 wins, 13 draws, and nine losses.{{cite web |title=Hamburger SV — Trainer |url=https://www.kicker.de/hamburger-sv/team-trainer/2-bundesliga/2019-20 |website=Kicker |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=3 June 2023 |language=German}}
=Return to Nürnberg (2020–2024)=
After leaving Hamburg, Hecking returned to 1. FC Nürnberg, replacing Robert Palikuča as sporting director.{{Cite news |date=2020-07-27 |title=Hecking kehrt zum 1. FC Nürnberg zurück |url=https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/dieter-hecking-kehrt-zum-1-fc-nuernberg-zurueck-a-67bb2104-71c6-4f59-86aa-75295c3adc97 |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}
In February 2023, he took the head coaching spot on interim until the end of the 2022–23 season after firing Markus Weinzierl.{{cite news |url=https://www.fcn.de/news/artikel/dieter-hecking-uebernimmt-trainer-position-interimsweise/|title=Dieter Hecking übernimmt Trainer-Position interimsweise|website=fcn.de|date=20 February 2023 |accessdate=20 February 2023}} The club only secured survival in the 2. Bundesliga on the final day of the season, and some fans demanded that Hecking resign.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-30 |title=FCN: Im Aufsichtsrat ist eine Ablösung von Dieter Hecking kein Thema! |url=https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/1-fc-nuernberg/fcn-im-aufsichtsrat-ist-eine-abloesung-von-dieter-hecking-kein-thema-84122252.bild.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=bild.de |language=de}} Cristian Fiél replaced Hecking as coach after the season, having served as Hecking's assistant while he was interim coach.{{Cite web |title=Offiziell: Fiel ist neuer Cheftrainer des 1. FC Nürnberg |url=https://www.kicker.de/offiziell-fiel-ist-neuer-cheftrainer-des-1-fc-nuernberg-954027/artikel |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}
=VfL Bochum (2024–)=
Managerial statistics
{{updated|matches played 28 May 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure |
| rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |From ! rowspan="2" |To ! colspan="5" |Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
|---|
| {{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}} |
| SC Verl
|align=left|1 July 2000 |align=left|31 January 2001 {{WDL|20|8|7|5}} |
| VfB Lübeck
|align=left|27 March 2001 |align=left|25 May 2004 {{WDL|119|51|24|44}} |
| Alemannia Aachen
|align=left|1 June 2004 |7 September 2006 {{WDL|83|42|14|27}} |{{cite web |title=Alemannia Aachen |url=https://www.kicker.de/alemannia-aachen/team-trainer/bundesliga/2006-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127031230/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2006-07/alemannia-aachen-110/trainer.html |archive-date=27 November 2015 |access-date=26 February 2015 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |language=de}} |
| Hannover 96
|align=left|7 September 2006 |align=left|19 August 2009 {{WDL|109|39|30|40}} |
| 1. FC Nürnberg
|align=left|22 December 2009 |2align=left|22 December 2012 {{WDL|112|42|23|47}} |
| VfL Wolfsburg
|align=left|22 December 2012 |align=left|17 October 2016 {{WDL|165|81|41|43}} |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach
|align=left|21 December 2016 |align=left|29 May 2019 {{WDL|98|43|23|32}} |
| Hamburger SV
|align=left|29 May 2019 |align=left|4 July 2020 {{WDL|36|14|13|9}} |
| 1. FC Nürnberg
|align=left|20 February 2023 |align=left|30 June 2023 {{WDL|14|4|5|5}} |
| colspan="3"| Total
{{WDLtot|756|324|180|252}} !— |
Honours
=Manager=
=Individual=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Sports links}}
- [http://www.ksvhessenkassel.de/Personen/H/Hecking_Dieter.htm Dieter Hecking] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712003755/http://www.ksvhessenkassel.de/Personen/H/Hecking_Dieter.htm |date=12 July 2013 }} at KSV Hessen Kassel Archive {{in lang|de}}
- [https://www.kicker.de/dieter-hecking/trainer Dieter Hecking] at kicker.de {{in lang|de}}
{{VfL Bochum squad}}
{{Bundesliga managers}}
{{Football Manager of the Year (Germany)}}
{{DFB-Pokal winning managers}}
{{Navboxes
| title= Dieter Hecking managerial positions
| list1=
{{VfB Lübeck managers}}
{{Alemannia Aachen managers}}
{{Hannover 96 managers}}
{{1. FC Nürnberg managers}}
{{VfL Wolfsburg managers}}
{{Borussia Mönchengladbach managers}}
{{Hamburger SV managers}}
{{VfL Bochum managers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hecking, Dieter}}
Category:Footballers from Castrop-Rauxel
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Borussia Mönchengladbach players
Category:SV Waldhof Mannheim players
Category:1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig players
Category:Eintracht Braunschweig players
Category:KSV Hessen Kassel players
Category:German football managers
Category:2. Bundesliga managers
Category:Alemannia Aachen managers
Category:1. FC Nürnberg managers
Category:VfL Wolfsburg managers
Category:Borussia Mönchengladbach managers