Region model for regional league reform: a bad joke

The regional model proposed as a solution by the regional league reform working group has been met with criticism. "I think it is instinctive that the regional model has been proposed! It's obvious that the clubs that got the "Meister müssen aufsteigen" initiative rolling again are now to be punished," said the president of the North-East German Football Association (NOFV), Hermann Winkler (62), to MDR.

A 13-member working group on regional league reform had unanimously voted in favor of a four-track regional league so that all regional league champions could be promoted to the 3rd division in the future. Of the two solutions proposed, one was the compass model preferred by many clubs. In this model, the four seasons would be formed each season from all regional league teams based on distance. The second model is called the region model. Here, two leagues would be formed from the North, North-East and Bavarian regional leagues. The West and Southwest regional leagues would remain in their current form.

Winkler: Compass model fairer

This would practically mean the elimination of the NOFV association. A new model with four regional league divisions could be implemented from the 2028/2029 season if the appropriate decision is made. "As a reward for the fact that we - the association and clubs - have campaigned for a fairer solution for promotion to the 3rd division throughout Germany. In return, we receive the suggestion that some of you can go to the north and some to Bavaria. That is unacceptable and cannot be the solution," criticized Winkler and believes "the Kompass model is fairer".

He has received support from the traditional clubs. Daniel Meyer, sports director at Hallescher FC, sees the regional model as a "bad joke". It shows the "frightening misguided path that some people at association level are taking in German soccer", Meyer told Bild. The 70 or so clubs in the promotion reform initiative will therefore unanimously support the Kompass model.

"We as 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig are clearly in favor of the Kompass model, which is favored by almost all clubs," said sports managing director Toni Wachsmuth to the "Leipziger Volkszeitung" and emphasized: "A complete break-up of the Regionalliga Nordost must not be an option. It is the most attractive and interesting regional league with the most traditional clubs and by far the highest spectator numbers."