Bochum went through the full emotional rollercoaster of a relegation battle in 2023/24. - © Christof Koepsel/Bundesliga

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Watch ‘Relegation Rollercoaster’, the story of the 2023/24 fight to stay in the Bundesliga

21.07.2024

While most eyes were on the top of the Bundesliga table as Bayer Leverkusen dethroned Bayern Munich in 2023/24, our cameras went behind the scenes at the clubs battling at the other end to remain in Germany’s top flight.

Hear from players, coaches, chairmen and many more from Cologne, Bochum, Union Berlin, Mainz and Heidenheim as they went into 2024 with big fears of the drop.

In episode 1 below, we join Heidenheim at their winter training camp in Spain where legendary coach Frank Schmidt discusses his work. Fresh Cologne boss Timo Schultz takes in his new surroundings. At Union, they’ve just gone from UEFA Champions League to relegation strugglers. While over at Mainz, Christian Heidel is used to this scenario.

In episode 2, it’s Carnival time in Cologne as the city turns into one big party – except on the pitch. Nenad Bjelica’s time at Union threatens to be short-lived following a touchline altercation with Leroy Sané. Heidenheim prepare to welcome Borussia Dortmund for the first time in the Bundesliga. Mainz make another big coaching decision with the appointment of Bo Henriksen, while Bochum claim a famous win over Bayern.

In episode 3, Bochum face the aftermath of dismissing Thomas Letsch, while Cologne head off to Spain for a training camp they hope will prepare them for the final push. Over in Heidenheim, we meet Schmidt’s backroom staff before a remarkable result against Bayern at the same time as Mainz face a huge six-pointer with Darmstadt.

In episode 4, Bochum are now picking up points again after a change of coach, but Cologne fail to get going as they struggle to beat the sides around them. Hear from Union goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow about the pressure of fighting to stay up, while Cologne’s Jan Thielmann gives his private insight into the soul of the Cathedral City. This episode also sees a special guest star as Jürgen Klopp gives his exclusive thoughts on the relegation battle and his close relationship to the club where it all started for him.

In episode 5, Union come to terms with their second coaching change of the season before their huge fixture in Cologne on the penultimate weekend of the season. Over in Mainz, a die-hard fan takes us through their remarkable dismantling of Champions League finalists Dortmund before we dive into the final day of the season with all its twists and turns.

Episode 6 is all about the play-off between Bochum and Fortuna Düsseldorf. We meet Daniel Thioune as he aims to steer the Bundesliga 2 club back into the top tier. There’s then the aftermath of a heavy first-leg result, meaning Bochum needed to produce a comeback of never-before-seen proportions if they were to stay up.