Dieter Hecking

Early career (2000–2004)

On 1 July 2000, Hecking moved into management as he took over as manager at Regionalliga Nord outfit SC Verl. His first match was a 2–0 loss to Eintracht Braunschweig on 1 August 2000. However, Hecking's proclamations that he was seeking a new position irked the club to such an extent they fired him after just 20 games in charge. He was sacked on 31 January 2001. His final match was a 2–1 win to Tennis Borussia Berlin. Verl were in seventh place when Hecking was sacked. Hecking wasn't free for long as another Regionalliga Nord side, VfB Lübeck, came calling on 27 March 2001. His first match was a 1–0 loss to Fortuna Düsseldorf on 30 March 2001. Hecking achieved a solid job in the remaining games, leaving the club in third place, just one short of promotion. This set the basis for the following season as the team claimed the title and moved up into the 2. Bundesliga. Hecking then managed to secure Lübeck an 11th place in the 2002–03 season. The following season proved to have mixed results. Hecking led the club to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, where they were eliminated by eventual double winners SV Werder Bremen after extra-time. After this, the team collapsed and was relegated with a 2–0 loss to SpVgg Greuther Fürth on the final day. Hecking rejected the club's offer to stay and he left the club on 25 May 2004.

Alemannia Aachen (2004–2006)

A week after leaving Lübeck, Alemannia Aachen sporting director Jörg Schmadtke announced…

Manager

VfB Lübeck

Regionalliga Nord: 2001–02 (Promotion to 2. Bundesliga) Schleswig-Holstein Cup: 2001 Alemannia Aachen

2. Bundesliga promotion: 2005–06 VfL Wolfsburg

DFB-Pokal: 2014–15 DFL-Supercup: 2015

Individual

German Football Manager of the Year: 2015 VDV Bundesliga Coach of the Season: 2014–15