Shooting star Nico Schlotterbeck is being hotly courted, while veteran Nils Petersen has been offered an extension. In an interview (Thursday edition), Freiburg’s sporting director Jochen Saier talks about the status of the two personnel matters.
Since matchday 2, SC Freiburg have been consistently in the top 6 of the Bundesliga, currently in 6th place after the 2-1 win in Augsburg, level on points with RB Leipzig and TSG Hoffenheim in 4th and 5th place. 37 points after 23 matchdays – Freiburg are making a run towards international business. In addition to the comfortable sporting situation, the SC management is naturally also concerned with the squad for the coming season. When it comes to possible departures, shooting star Nico Schlotterbeck and veteran Nils Petersen in particular are the focus of public attention.
Speaks Freiburg’s sporting director Jochen Saier about the two personnel matters. On the future of the courted Nico Schlotterbeck, whose contract at SC still runs until 2023, he says: “The fundamental decision on whether he leaves or stays has not yet been made. There will be a process of consideration and a decision together with him, which will of course be significantly linked to whether there are attractive offers for him that match his value – also for us as an absolute difference maker – and potential.” In addition to a sale next summer, two other variants are also conceivable, he said.
Talking about a transfer-free departure in 2023, Saier says: “Everything is possible, especially if the general conditions are not right from our point of view in the summer.” And on the chances of a contract extension, the 43-year-old says: “As I said, everything is possible. Also that Nico extends his contract and continues his development with us to play at an even higher level and to build an even more stable foundation. “
Nils Petersen has been offered a SC contract beyond the summer, but the striker has not yet made a decision on how and where he will continue. Saier says: “I have a close and trusting exchange with Nils. We have discussed all aspects of his situation. We are giving him time and peace of mind to make a good decision for himself with conviction. I believe he will do that in the coming weeks. We will accompany him in an unagitated manner, he has earned this framework over the years.” A follow-up position at Sport-Club was not part of the offer to Petersen: “Something like that is only ever put into concrete terms when the end of a career is certain. With Nils’ overall package, however, I certainly see interesting prospects. Now he has to make a decision 100 per cent as a player. Nothing else fits in because we would need him to be in top condition physically and with his skin and hair after the summer. “
