Following the disappointing demotion - Thioune's plan to get back on his feet is explained.
Fortuna Düsseldorf's coach is still reeling from the missed promotion in their relegation match against Bochum. He's known for his ability to explain football better than most of his peers, remaining relatable and engaging.
"After a stunning 3:0 win in the first leg, a lackluster performance in the return game, and some bad luck in the penalty shootout that kept us from the Bundesliga, I'm still trying to make sense of it all: 'I'm still searching for the why, and I might never find it,'" Thioune said.
This coach, who's never played in the Bundesliga, has always dreamt of reaching this level. It seemed - for a moment - like it would be within reach. But instead, they suffered another setback, and now another year in the 2. Liga awaits.
Once the paperwork at Fortuna is taken care of, Thioune plans to take some time off: "I'm not going to be on some cruise ship sailing through the oceans for two weeks. I'm still accessible to Klaus Allofs and Christian Weber." He needs to get the team ready for the upcoming season, and may even return to coach Düsseldorf if necessary.
However, Thioune also mentions, "I'll definitely need a bit more time for my family, for my loved ones. Because they've been through the same ordeal as me. Starting July 3rd, I'll only be taking a vacation with my family. So they can have the father they need, and my wife can have the husband she wants."
Thioune ended with a chuckle. A laugh that had been missing from him in the days following the match. He's slowly making his way back to his usual self, preparing to start the preseason and possibly achieve his big dream within a year.
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