Mainz reward Bo Henriksen with new deal: “A motivational genius!” | OneFootball

The colourful character who led Mainz 05 away from the relegation race last season and just one point behind a Champions League spot in the current Bundesliga table has been rewarded with a new contract. FSV head coach Bo Henriksen received a new deal yesterday, signing a contract that runs through an extra year until 2027.

Despite the fact that Mainz earned widespread criticism in German footballing circles for the poor administrative decision to sign trainer Jan Siewert to a permanent deal last season, club management simply couldn’t waste time not extending with the Dane. Under Henriksen, Mainz have won 15, lost seven, and drawn nine Bundesliga fixtures.

Henriksen overcame a bumpy start to the current campaign in which he drew specific criticism for being more of a motivator than tactician. Club sporting CEO Christian Heidel seemed to keep such critiques in mind when issuing his club statement. Heidel insisted that Henriksen passed all club managerial tests “with flying colors“.

“He’s a motivational genius,” Heidel noted. “He’s animated on the sidelines. I don’t need someone who just stands around in a suit and tie. I’m also always impressed when a coach hires quality assistant coaches. Bo got performance coaches and athletic trainers because he says there are experts who can do certain things better than he can. A head coach can’t do everything.”

“This was a decision of the heart,” Henriksen noted in his own statement. “I have great love for these players, the staff, the city and this club. It’s been an astonishing year. Crazy in many ways; the most crazy journey I’ve ever had, but also the most exciting and meaningful. The fans are great. We shared so much together.”

GGFN | Peter Weis