On December 27, 2019, Sascha Hildmann was officially introduced as the new head coach of SC Preußen Münster, stepping in to rescue the historically rich club from the brink of relegation to the fourth tier. Fast forward five years, and Hildmann has not only successfully navigated the team but has also cemented his place as the club's record-breaking coach, surpassing the tenure of Richard Schneider, who coached between 1961 and 1966 during the formative years of the Bundesliga.
From the onset, Hildmann faced considerable challenges. He recalls, “It was such an important step for me to go to Münster and meant a milestone in my coaching career. It was a huge task and great challenge, yet I was, and still am, full of motivation.” Under his leadership, the club has built something special, as he acknowledges the collaborative efforts of his coaching staff and support team.
Initially, Hildmann's appointment was met with skepticism, particularly after the team’s disappointing start which culminated in relegation fears. Reflecting on this period, he admits, “I have already spoken so much about the relegation, and it still hurts incredibly, especially because it felt so unfair under all these irregular conditions. But suffering is part of football. It applies to the trainer, the team, and the fans. You must be prepared to endure.” Hildmann's persistence and dedication eventually won over the club’s management, leading to his collaborations with the newly appointed sports director Peter Niemeyer, embodying the sporting upswing of SC Preußen Münster.
Over the last year, Hildmann expressed immense pride at the unexpected successes the club has achieved. “What we are experiencing here is indescribable. We should enjoy it but also remain humble. We know exactly where we come from. All this makes me proud. I enjoy the club's confidence and the appreciation of the fans tremendously. I'm living my dream as a coach; it might just be the happiest time of my life,” he shares.
After achieving two successive promotions, Hildmann now holds the distinction of having the longest uninterrupted tenure as head coach at the SCP. Despite his historical accomplishments, he remains humble, disbelieving at times about the whirlwind of emotions the past few years have brought. “The years have just flown by! We had so many incredible emotions with narrowly missing out on promotions, then achieving them, and again. So much power and adrenaline were released—some folks take their entire lifetime to experience this,” Hildmann exclaimed.
Hildmann isn't just reminiscing; he's also focused on the future. His current contract extends until at least the end of 2026, with aspirations potentially leading to more time at the helm. “I always said I wanted to work only where I enjoy myself. And the fun is absolutely there. I believe you can see it,” he said, hinting at his commitment moving forward.
The football community is beginning to anticipate their return to action following the winter break, with the SCP set to take on Greuther Fürth at home on January 18. The sense of excitement is palpable as the team now aims to achieve another milestone: surviving their debut season back in the 2. Bundesliga. Hildmann noted, “There are always highs and lows, which is part of football, but fortunately we’ve experienced more highs than lows.”
With Hildmann at the helm, SC Preußen Münster looks to build on its recent successes and establish itself firmly within Germany's competitive football leagues. Fans and officials alike are hopeful, casting eyes toward future matches as they support their team and its remarkable coach.
