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Rot Weiss Ahlen
Rot Weiss Ahlen
Rot Weiss Ahlen
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Rot Weiss Ahlen is a German football club based in Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Until 2006 the club was known as LR Ahlen for its major sponsor, but underwent a name change when the sponsor withdrew its support after the team was relegated to the Regionalliga (III) in that year.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The club has its roots in the local sides of the early 1900s formed by coalminers who played pickup games after work. In 1917, Freie Sportclub Union (FSCU) Ahlen was founded and became one of the region's best known teams, playing in the second-tier leagues of the time. The rise of the Third Reich saw the club disbanded as over three-quarters of its members were foreigners making the side politically unpalatable to the regime. A new club, Tus Germania Ahlen, was formed in 1933. This side merged with the strong local club Wacker Ahlen to create the town's largest sports association.

Historical chart of Rot Weiss Ahlen league performance

After World War II attempts to rebuild local teams failed until members of eight pre-war clubs came together to form Turn- und Sport Ahlen in 1948. The new side went on to many decades of routine play in the local upper leagues. In 1991, TuS were faced with a financial crisis and demotion to lower level play. A local benefactor, Helmut Spikker, helped bail the team out through the support provided by his firm, cosmetics manufacturer LR International.

Now on a firm footing, TuS Ahlen enjoyed an impressive run of success through the early 90s beginning with a Bezirksliga Westfalen (VII) title in 1992 and promotion to the Landesliga Westfalen (VI). In each of the following three seasons TuS earned another championship and promotion; out of the Landesliga, through the Verbandsliga Westfalen-Nordost (V) and Oberliga Westfalen (IV), leading to the Regionalliga West/Südwest (III).

Leichtathletik Rasensport Ahlen was formed on 1 June 1996 when TuS Ahlen merged with Blau-Weiß Ahlen to begin play in the Regionalliga West/Südwest in 1996–97. The club's rise was stalled and they made a bid to again move up by signing a number of players with Bundesliga experience for 1998–99. However, they could only manage a sixth-place finish and subsequently unloaded their expensive talent. Living more within their means, the side earned promotion with a second-place result in 1999–2000 and a 2–1 victory over 1. FC Union Berlin in the playoff round to advance to the 2. Bundesliga. Ahlen's best result came in their debut in the second tier when they ended sixth. The team slipped to become a lower-tier side and lingered for another five seasons before a 17th-place result led to their demotion in 2006.

After being relegated LR Ahlen lost the support of its major sponsor and underwent a name change to become Rot Weiss Ahlen on 31 May 2006. Chairman Spikker also left the club at the end of August with his successor being vice-president Heinz-Jürgen Gosda. The team returned to 2. Bundesliga play after finishing as champions of the Regionalliga Nord in 2007–08. With the end of the 2009–10 season, Ahlen was relegated to the 3. Liga, and the following year to the fifth NRW-Liga despite a 17th-place finish outside the drop down zone because of insolvency.

In 2020 the club finished second in the Oberliga Westfalen to win promotion to the Regionalliga West.

Recent seasons

[edit]
Year Division Position
1999–2000 Regionalliga West/Südwest (III) 2nd (promoted)
2000–01 2. Bundesliga (II) 6th
2001–02 2. Bundesliga 8th
2002–03 2. Bundesliga 12th
2003–04 2. Bundesliga 12th
2004–05 2. Bundesliga 13th
2005–06 2. Bundesliga 17th (relegated)
2006–07 Regionalliga Nord (III) 13th
2007–08 Regionalliga Nord 1st (promoted)
2008–09 2. Bundesliga (II) 10th
2009–10 2. Bundesliga 18th (relegated)
2010–11 3. Liga 20th (original 17th;relegated due to insolvency)
2011–12 NRW-Liga (V) 17th
2012–13 Oberliga Westfalen 9th
2013–14 Oberliga Westfalen 9th
2014–15 Oberliga Westfalen 2nd (promoted)
2015–16 Regionalliga West (IV) 13th
2016–17 Regionalliga West 15th (relegated)
2017–18 Oberliga Westfalen (V) 14th
2018–19 Oberliga Westfalen 9th
2019–20 Oberliga Westfalen 2nd (promoted)
2020–21 Regionalliga West (IV) 18th
2021–22 Regionalliga West (IV) 10th
2022–23 Regionalliga West (IV) 16th

Honours

[edit]

The club's honours:

Current squad

[edit]
As of 22 August, 2024[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  GER Luis Ackermann
2 DF  GER Tim Breuer
4 DF  GER Patrick Polk
5 DF  GER Denzel Tawiah
6 MF  GER Fabian Holthaus
7 FW  GER Emro Curic
8 MF  GER Tobias Herring
9 FW  TUR Bahattin Köse
10 FW  GER Hakan Sezer
11 DF  GER Emmanuel De Lemos
12 GK  GER Lukas Krekeler
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 DF  BRA Bruno Soares
15 DF  GER Mika Kruphölter
16 DF  GER Edon Rizaj
17 MF  GER Enes Sali
19 MF  GER Mike Pihl
21 MF  GER Noyan Bayaki
22 DF  GER Kilian Hornbruch
23 MF  GER Murat Keskinkilic
26 MF  GER Luka Tankulic
27 FW  GER Davin Wöstmann
28 MF  SYR Can Moustfa

Former managers

[edit]
  • 1992 – 30 June 1996 Joachim Krug
  • 1 July 1996 – 18 August 1997 Wolfgang Sandhowe
  • 19 August 1997 – 13 October 1998 Klaus Berge
  • 14 October 1998 – 11 September 2000 Franz-Josef Tenhagen
  • 20 September 2000 – 27 November 2001 Peter Neururer
  • 30 November 2001 – 24 November 2002 Uwe Rapolder
  • 25 November 2002 – 2 January 2003 Uwe Fuchs
  • 3 January 2003 – 25 May 2003 Werner Lorant
  • 3 August 2003 – 14 November 2003 Stefan Kuntz
  • 24 November 2003 – 1 March 2005 Ingo Peter
  • 7 March 2005 – 25 October 2005 František Straka
  • 26 October 2005 – 14 May 2006 Paul Linz
  • 15 May 2006 – 29 October 2006 Bernard Dietz
  • 30 October 2006 – 30 June 2007 Heiko Bonan
  • 1 July 2007 – 3 March 2009 Christian Wück
  • 3 March 2009 – 16 April 2009 Bernd Heemsoth
  • 16 April 2009 – 20 September 2009 Stefan Emmerling
  • 20 September 2009 – 14 October 2009 Andreas Zimmermann
  • 14 October 2009 – 30 June 2010 Christian Hock
  • 1 July 2010 – 30 June 2011 Arie van Lent
  • 1 July 2011 – 15 November 2011 Thomas Berndsen
  • 21 November 2011 – 2 April 2012 Joachim Krug
  • 5 April 2012 – 30 June 2012 Peter Feldkötter
  • 1 July 2013 – 30 June 2013 Marco Antwerpen
  • 1 July 2013 – 14 April 2014 Carlos Castilla
  • 14 April 2014 – 18 May 2016 Marco Antwerpen
  • 1 July 2016 – 17 October 2016 Mircea Onisemiuc
  • 17 October 2016 – 24 October 2016 André Kruphölter
  • 24 October 2016 – 15 December 2017 Erhan Albayrak
  • 4 January 2018 – 13 September 2018 Michael Schrank
  • 10 October 2018 – 30 June 2020 Christian Britscho
  • 1 July 2020 – 16 November 2020 Björn Mehnert
  • 16 November 2020 – 29 November 2022 Andreas Zimmermann
  • 1 December 2022 – 6 March 2023 Andreas Golombek
  • 6 March 2023 – 30 June 2023 Markus Kaya
  • 1 July 2023 – 18 October 2023 Daniel Berlinski
  • 24 October 2023 – Present Björn Joppe

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rot Weiss Ahlen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Rot Weiss Ahlen e.V. is a German multi-sport association based in , , with its football section currently competing in the , the fifth tier of the country's . The club traces its origins to predecessor organizations such as TuS Ahlen, founded in 1945 through the merger of eight local clubs, but the modern entity emerged in 1996 from the amalgamation of TuS Ahlen and Blau-Weiß Ahlen, initially operating as LR Ahlen under a sponsorship designation before reverting to Rot Weiss Ahlen in 2006. The football team's most prominent era came with promotion to the in 2000, where it competed for six consecutive seasons against established professional sides, reaching the round of 16 in the twice during that period. Relegation in 2006 was followed by another brief ascent to the second tier in 2008, but subsequent financial in 2010 led to a sharp decline, culminating in the end of professional operations and demotion to amateur levels after restructuring. Despite these setbacks, the club has maintained a reputation for nurturing talent, notably providing an early professional debut to forward , who joined from Borussia Dortmund's youth setup and featured in the before transferring to higher divisions. Home matches are hosted at the Wersestadion, a venue with a capacity of 12,500, reflecting the club's regional significance in a town historically tied to , which influenced the formation of early sports groups among workers. Recent promotions to the Regionalliga West in 2015 and 2020 underscore periodic recoveries, though relegations, including from the fourth tier in 2017, have kept it oscillating in lower divisions amid ongoing efforts to stabilize.

History

Founding and early development

Rot-Weiss Ahlen was established on 1 June 1996 through the merger of TuS Ahlen and Blau-Weiß Ahlen, forming Leichtathletik Rasensport Ahlen e.V. (commonly abbreviated as LR Ahlen). The "LR" designation referenced Leichtathletik (athletics) and Rasensport (grass sports, encompassing football), while also alluding to sponsor LR International. TuS Ahlen, one of the merging entities, had been founded on 12 August 1945 with approval from British occupation authorities following World War II, initially comprising eight local sports clubs to revive organized athletics and football in the coal-mining town of Ahlen. Blau-Weiß Ahlen brought additional traditions dating back to the interwar period, though specific founding details for that club emphasize its role in local amateur competition. The merger was driven by strategic necessity after TuS Ahlen's financial and competitive crisis in , which nearly resulted in relegation to the lowest regional tiers (). Under the influence of local entrepreneur Helmut Spikker, who provided financial backing and employment opportunities via his firm, the clubs united to pool resources, infrastructure, and talent for sustainable advancement. This consolidation enabled immediate entry into the Regionalliga West/Südwest (then Germany's third tier), building on TuS Ahlen's pre-merger promotion qualification. The move reflected broader post-reunification trends in German amateur football toward professionalization in smaller industrial communities. In its debut 1996–97 season, LR Ahlen recorded 15 wins, 12 draws, and 7 losses, finishing fourth with 57 points, 61 goals scored, and 38 conceded, establishing a solid foundation. The club inaugurated the Wersestadion in 1997 on the site of the former Glückaufkampfbahn, expanding capacity to support growing ambitions and attendance. Early highlights included a 1998 first-round appearance against (0–5 loss), which highlighted emerging infrastructure despite the competitive gap. These years under managers like Joachim Krug focused on consecutive squad strengthening and youth integration, setting the stage for further promotions by 2000.

Amateur and regional success

TuS Ahlen, the primary predecessor to Rot Weiss Ahlen, was established on 12 through the merger of eight local clubs in the wake of , gaining approval from British occupation authorities. The club's football roots extended to 1917 with the founding of Freie Sportclub Union Ahlen, which had previously competed in the second tier of the Westdeutscher Sportverband, and included mergers such as TuS Ahlen with Wacker Ahlen in 1933. Post-war, TuS Ahlen quickly established itself in Germany's top amateur leagues, maintaining competitive presence in regional competitions through the mid-20th century, including a notable 1967 tour of the USSR where it faced clubs like Zenit Leningrad and Lokomotiv before crowds exceeding 50,000. By the early 1990s, TuS Ahlen faced existential threats, including near-relegation to the in 1992 amid financial and organizational instability. Under the leadership of Helmut Spikker, the club initiated a remarkable turnaround, securing a Bezirksliga Westfalen title (level VII) in the 1992–93 season, which propelled promotion to the Westfalen (level VI). This success cascaded into consecutive championships: the Westfalen (Staffel 5) in 1993–94, Verbandsliga Westfalen in 1994–95, and in 1995–96, achieving four promotions in as many years to reach the West/Südwest (level III). These accomplishments marked the pinnacle of the club's amateur era, culminating in a 1996 merger with Blau-Weiß Ahlen to form LR Ahlen, setting the stage for professional aspirations while preserving regional dominance in Westphalian football structures.

Transition to professional status and sponsorship era

In 1992, Helmut Spikker intervened to prevent TuS Ahlen's relegation to the , initiating a revival that saw the club achieve four consecutive promotions, culminating in entry to the West/Südwest by 1996. This upward trajectory marked the club's shift from regional amateur competition toward professional structures, supported by targeted investments in infrastructure and talent. To facilitate sponsorship and higher-level play, TuS Ahlen merged with Blau-Weiß Ahlen in 1996, forming Leichtathletik Rasensport (LR) , named in association with principal sponsor LR International; the club promptly gained promotion to the West/Südwest for the 1996–97 season. The Wersestadion opened in 1997 on the site of the former Glückaufkampfbahn, providing a modern venue with capacity for professional matches and enhancing the club's appeal to sponsors and fans. Under coach Franz-Josef Tenhagen, LR Ahlen dominated the in 1999–2000, securing qualification for the promotion playoff to the . The decisive promotion came on June 9, 2000, when LR Ahlen defeated 2–1 in the final playoff match, earning entry to the professional for the 2000–01 season and establishing full professional status with salaried contracts and national broadcasting exposure. During the sponsorship era from 1996 to 2006, LR International's backing enabled competitive rosters, including high-profile signings like in 2004, and sustained operations in the second tier; the club achieved a peak of 6th place in 2000–01 while avoiding relegation through dramatic results, such as the 4–3 victory over TSV München on May 22, 2005, known as the "Wunder von München." This period represented the zenith of sponsor-driven professionalism, with financial support funding squad development and league stability until the sponsor's withdrawal following relegation in 2006.

Involvement in second-tier competition

Rot-Weiss Ahlen, then known as LR Ahlen, earned promotion to the for the 2003–04 season by winning the in 2002–03. In their debut second-tier campaign, the club finished 12th with a record of 11 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses, securing survival comfortably. The following season, 2004–05, saw a similar mid-table outcome with 12th place and 12 wins, 8 draws, and 14 losses, though defensive vulnerabilities contributed to inconsistent results. By 2005–06, performance declined sharply, culminating in 17th place and relegation after only 6 wins, 9 draws, and 19 losses, marking the end of their initial stint in the division. Post-relegation, the club rebranded as Rot-Weiss Ahlen in 2007, dropping the sponsor prefix amid financial restructuring. They regained second-tier status for 2008–09 by clinching the title in 2007–08, where emerging talents like forward scored crucial goals en route to promotion. In 2008–09, Ahlen achieved a respectable 10th-place finish with 12 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses, bolstered by Reus's contributions of 9 goals in 26 appearances, highlighting the club's role in player development during this period. The 2009–10 season proved disastrous, with Ahlen finishing bottom (18th) after just 5 wins, 8 draws, and 21 losses, leading to another relegation amid mounting financial pressures that foreshadowed later issues. Across their six total seasons in the from 2003–04 to 2009–10, the club compiled an overall record of 58 wins, 49 draws, and 101 losses, never seriously contending for promotion but establishing a reputation for nurturing young prospects like before descending to lower divisions.

Decline and multiple relegations

Following a mid-table finish in the 2008–09 season, Rot-Weiss Ahlen experienced a sharp sporting downturn in 2009–10, culminating in a 17th-place finish and direct relegation to the . The team's campaign was marked by defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent results, with only 9 wins in 34 matches, contributing to their drop from the second tier. In the subsequent 2010–11 season, initially avoided on-field relegation by finishing 17th, outside the bottom three positions. However, severe financial difficulties, including proceedings, resulted in a 3-point deduction and an administrative relegation to the fifth-tier NRW-Liga, bypassing the fourth-tier . This decision by the (DFB) stemmed from the club's inability to meet licensing requirements amid mounting debts, effectively imposing a second consecutive demotion despite the sporting outcome.

Recent performance

Seasons in regional leagues

Following administrative relegation from the after the 2010–11 season due to alongside a 17th-place finish, Rot-Weiss Ahlen entered the fifth-tier NRW-Liga for 2011–12, where they recorded a last-place 17th position and immediate relegation to the . In their first two seasons in the (2012–13 and 2013–14), the club stabilized with 9th-place finishes, avoiding further descent but remaining outside promotion contention. A resurgence came in 2014–15, as Ahlen secured 2nd place in the , earning promotion to the fourth-tier West; they maintained mid-table security there with 13th and 15th positions in 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively, before dropping back to the in 2017–18 (14th place). The club oscillated between tiers thereafter: consistent performances culminated in a 3rd-place finish in 2019–20, securing another ascent to the West, where shortened COVID-19-affected campaigns yielded an 18th place in 2020–21 but no immediate relegation, followed by 10th in 2021–22 and 16th in 2022–23. Ahlen's tenure ended with 18th place in 2023–24, confirming relegation to the for 2024–25, in which they finished 13th. The following table summarizes Rot-Weiss Ahlen's regional league placements from 2011–12 to 2024–25:
SeasonLeaguePosition
2011–12NRW-Liga17th (relegated)
2012–13Oberliga Westfalen9th
2013–14Oberliga Westfalen9th
2014–15Oberliga Westfalen2nd (promoted)
2015–16Regionalliga West13th
2016–17Regionalliga West15th (relegated)
2017–18Oberliga Westfalen14th
2018–19Oberliga Westfalen9th
2019–20Oberliga Westfalen3rd (promoted)
2020–21Regionalliga West18th
2021–22Regionalliga West10th
2022–23Regionalliga West16th
2023–24Regionalliga West18th (relegated)
2024–25Oberliga Westfalen13th
This pattern reflects chronic instability, with three promotions and three relegations between tiers 4 and 5, often tied to inconsistent squad depth and financial constraints post-insolvency.

Key matches and outcomes post-2010

In the 2010–11 season, Rot-Weiss Ahlen recorded 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses, accumulating 42 points and finishing 20th, resulting in direct relegation to the West. Despite this sporting outcome, severe financial difficulties led to an administrative relegation to the fifth-tier NRW-Liga for the 2011–12 campaign. Following years of consolidation in lower regional leagues, Ahlen secured promotion to the Regionalliga West by winning the Oberliga Westfalen title in the 2014–15 season. The club maintained competitiveness for two seasons before relegation back to the Oberliga Westfalen after the 2016–17 Regionalliga West campaign. A second ascent occurred in the abbreviated 2019–20 Oberliga Westfalen season, curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic; Ahlen finished as runners-up and were granted promotion to the Regionalliga West by the Football Association of Westphalia. This elevated them to fourth-tier competition starting in 2020–21, where they competed until relegation following the 2023–24 season. Notable results in this period include a 6–0 victory over SC Victoria Glesch Paffrath on August 6, 2022, in the Regionalliga West, marking one of the club's largest post-2010 margins. Earlier, in qualifiers, they suffered first-round defeats, such as a 2–0 loss to on August 31, 2011.

Achievements and records

Domestic honours

Rot-Weiß Ahlen's primary domestic honour at the third-tier level is the championship won in the 2007–08 season, which qualified the club for promotion to the . The team amassed 76 points from 34 matches, finishing first with a record of 23 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses. In cup competition, the club secured the Landespokal Westfalen ( State Cup) in the 1997–98 season, a regional tournament serving as a qualifier for the . Earlier achievements in the amateur and regional leagues include promotions earned through division titles, such as ascents from the and levels in the mid-1990s, though specific championship years at those tiers are less prominently documented beyond facilitating entry into professional structures. The club has not won national titles like the or .

Notable player development contributions

Rot-Weiß Ahlen's has primarily contributed to regional and lower-tier professional pathways, with one standout alumnus in . Born in 1988, Großkreutz joined the club's youth ranks at age 14 in 2002 after stints at local teams VfL Kemminghausen and Rot-Weiss Obereving. He progressed through the U17 and U19 levels, featuring in the A-Junioren Bundesliga West during the 2006–07 season, before making his senior debut for Ahlen's first team in the 2006–07 campaign in the . Over three seasons with Ahlen's senior side (2006–2009), he recorded 95 appearances and 23 goals, aiding promotion to the in 2008, which highlighted the academy's role in bridging youth to competitive senior play. Großkreutz's success underscores Ahlen's developmental impact during its era, as he transferred to in 2009 for a reported €300,000 fee. At Dortmund, he amassed 210 appearances, contributed to two league titles (2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons), and reached the . His versatility as a right-back and winger, honed partly at Ahlen, earned him one senior cap for in a 2011 friendly against . This trajectory represents the pinnacle of Ahlen's youth output, as subsequent academy graduates like Mike Pihl (230 senior appearances for Ahlen) and Alexander Hahnemann (229 appearances) remained in regional leagues without advancing to top-flight prominence. The club's Jugendabteilung has sustained a focus on local talent integration, producing over 20 players who debuted for the senior team between 2000 and 2020, though systemic challenges post-relegation from professional tiers limited broader exports to elite levels. Efforts include participation in youth competitions until the mid-2000s, fostering skills in tactical discipline suited to Westphalian football, but without documented national youth titles or consistent high-profile transfers beyond Großkreutz.

Club organization

Infrastructure and facilities

The primary facility for Rot Weiss Ahlen is the Wersestadion in , with a current capacity of 12,500 spectators, including 4,000 covered seats and 8,500 standing places (6,000 of which are covered). Constructed in 1997 on the site of the original Glückaufkampfbahn—inaugurated in 1949—the stadium incorporates added in 2008, 20 kilometers of drainage piping beneath the natural grass pitch, and 35-meter-high floodlights compliant with television broadcast standards. A south stand was constructed in summer 2009 and inaugurated on of that year, while the design allows for expansion to 15,000 capacity without major technical hurdles. Associated amenities include a two-story, 700-square-meter function building equipped with player dressing rooms, treatment areas, a , club lounge, VIP section, and room, alongside 16 ticket booths for matchdays. Recent enhancements support and development: in June 2025, the city of opened a new 20-by-24-meter synthetic small-sided pitch adjacent to the stadium, funded at approximately €180,000, primarily for U8 to U10 teams, mini squads, programs, and first-team athletic sessions, with planned lighting for winter use. In October 2025, a renovated complex—modernized from the former "Sportler-Treff" building with energy-efficient features like a —was officially handed over for exclusive team use starting October 8. The club additionally employs the Südenkampfbahn, featuring sprint tracks and throwing areas, for supplementary .

Youth system and academy impact

The of Rot Weiss Ahlen operates through multiple age-group teams, including U19 and U17 squads competing in the A-Junioren West and regional leagues such as the for reserves. The club's Wersenachwuchs program focuses on grassroots development at facilities like the Wersestadion, emphasizing local talent and training for integration into senior teams. A primary impact of the academy occurred in the mid-2000s, when it provided development opportunities for prospects released from larger clubs' systems. , after departing Borussia Dortmund's youth setup in 2006, joined Rot Weiss Ahlen's U19 team, where he scored 20 goals in 40 appearances during the 2006–2008 period. He progressed to the senior side, making 44 first-team outings with 5 goals, contributing to the club's 2008 title win and subsequent promotion to the . Reus's transfer to in May 2009 for approximately €1 million marked a financial and reputational milestone for Ahlen's youth efforts. Similarly, developed in Ahlen's youth ranks from 2002 to 2006 before debuting for the senior team, playing in the and aiding early career progression. Großkreutz later joined in 2009, becoming a key contributor with over 230 appearances, titles, and a squad place. These cases illustrate the academy's role in rehabilitating high-potential players overlooked elsewhere, though broader outputs remain limited compared to elite German academies. In response to senior team challenges, Ahlen introduced a revised youth concept in March 2021, prioritizing internal talent pipelines over external signings to enhance . This shift materialized in January 2025, with two U19 players promoted to the first amid squad adjustments, signaling ongoing emphasis on academy-to-senior transitions despite the club's regional league status. Youth have achieved local successes, such as Kreispokal wins in 2019, but no further high-profile exports have emerged post-Reus era.

Personnel

Current playing squad

As of October 2025, Rot-Weiß Ahlen's first-team squad for the 2025/26 season comprises 26 players, with an average age of 26.3 years and six foreign nationals representing 23.1% of the roster. The squad is detailed below, grouped by primary position:

Goalkeepers

No.PlayerAgeNationality
1Alexander Hahnemann33
31Veith Walde24
29Hendrik Rauf27

Defenders

No.PlayerAgeNationality
1437/
21Martin Baudelet22/France
2Tim Breuer24
3Dominik Limprecht23/
4Mattias Hanchard24USA/
15Mika Kruphölter20
16Edon Rizaj20/
27Mike Pihl32
22Kilian Hornbruch24
7Emro Curic25

Midfielders

No.PlayerAgeNationality
6Fabian Holthaus30
18Erik Heidbrink22
24Louis Krieg21
11Gianluca Di Vinti26
20Ben Binyamin24
8Marius Müller30
28Kadir Kosar19Germany/Turkey

Forwards

No.PlayerAgeNationality
10Sergio Gucciardo26/
23Murat Keskinkilic21/
19Kevin Freiberger36
9Aristote Lufuankenda25/DR Congo
26Hakan Sezer31
27Davin Wöstmann26

Historical managers

The managerial history of Rot-Weiß Ahlen reflects the club's fluctuations between regional leagues and brief stints in professional divisions, with frequent changes often tied to performance slumps or promotions. Early professional-era managers like Joachim Krug laid foundations in the 1990s, overseeing the team's rise from the to the West/Südwest by 1996. Subsequent coaches navigated the club's peak in the from 2002 to 2006, including high-profile appointments such as Peter Neururer (2000–2001) and (2003), amid sponsorship-driven rebranding to LR Ahlen. Post-relegation, interim and short-term tenures dominated, exemplified by František Straka's 2005 spell, as the club stabilized in the before descending to amateur levels.
ManagerTenureNotes
Joachim KrugJuly 1992 – June 1996Oversaw entry into ; returned briefly in 2011–2012.
Wolfgang SandhoweJuly 1996 – August 1997Early stabilization post-promotion.
Klaus BergeSeptember 1997 – October 1998Managed mid-table finishes.
Franz-Josef TenhagenOctober 1998 – September 2000Promotion to in 2002 under prior setup.
Peter NeururerSeptember 2000 – November 2001Experienced coach during initial season.
Uwe RapolderDecember 2001 – November 2002Oversaw competitive campaign.
July 2003 – November 2003Brief tenure amid relegation threats.
František StrakaMarch 2005 – October 2005Foreign coach during transition.
Christian WuckJuly 2007 – March 2009Longest early post-relegation stint.
Marco AntwerpenJuly 2012 – June 2013; April 2014 – May 2016Led promotion to West in 2015.
Erhan AlbayrakOctober 2016 – December 2017Managed lower-table survival.
Andreas ZimmermannSeptember–October 2009; November 2020 – November 2022Multiple short and extended roles in regional leagues.
Björn JoppeOctober 2023 – June 2025Recent tenure focused on Oberliga consolidation.
René LewejohannOctober 2025 – presentAppointed amid ongoing regional challenges.
This table highlights selected managers with longer or pivotal tenures; full records show over 40 appointments since 1992, characterized by high turnover averaging under two years per coach, correlating with financial constraints and inconsistent results.

Prominent former players

Kevin Großkreutz debuted for Rot-Weiß Ahlen's senior team in the 2006–07 season in the Regionalliga West, making 33 appearances and scoring 5 goals before the club's promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. He featured in 76 league matches for Ahlen across three seasons in the second tier, contributing 9 goals and establishing himself as a versatile right-back and winger. After transferring to Borussia Dortmund in 2009, Großkreutz won two Bundesliga titles (2011, 2012), two DFB-Pokals (2012, 2017), and the 2013 DFL-Supercup, while earning 48 caps for Germany, including appearances at UEFA Euro 2016. His early development at Ahlen laid the foundation for a career marked by loyalty and success at the highest levels of German football. Marco Reus joined Rot-Weiß Ahlen's youth setup in 2006 after leaving Borussia Dortmund's academy, progressing to the U-19 team where he excelled in the A-Junioren Bundesliga West. He made his first-team debut in the 2008–09 Regionalliga West season, scoring on his second start against Babelsberg 03 on the final day, helping secure a 2–1 victory amid the club's transition post-relegation from the 2. Bundesliga. Reus appeared in limited senior matches but impressed enough to earn a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2009, where he scored 40 Bundesliga goals over four seasons before returning to Dortmund, amassing over 400 appearances, multiple DFB-Pokals, and 48 international caps for Germany. Ahlen's faith in his potential during a challenging period for the club proved pivotal to his emergence as one of Germany's most prolific attackers. Vladimir Jugović, a 1998 FIFA World Cup winner with FR Yugoslavia and victor with (1991) and Juventus (1996), joined Rot-Weiß (then LR Ahlen) in 2004 at age 35 for the twilight of his career. In the 2004–05 season, he played 21 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing leadership in midfield during Ahlen's mid-table campaign. His stint represented a brief but notable link between Ahlen and European football royalty, drawing on his prior successes at and AS Monaco to mentor younger players before retiring in 2005. Deniz Naki arrived on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in January 2009, scoring 4 goals in 11 appearances during Ahlen's relegation fight, including a near-miss in a 2–0 win over . Though his time was short, Naki's pace and finishing highlighted his potential, leading to a spell at (13 appearances, 2010–13) before a controversial career trajectory involving moves abroad. Ahlen served as a platform for his brief top-flight exposure in .

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.de/rot-weiss-ahlen/startseite/verein/50
  2. https://www.rwahlen.de/verein/historie/geschichte
  3. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2020/04/07/how-tiny-rot-weiss-ahlens-faith-sent-a-young-marco-reus-to-superstardom/
  4. https://www.wn.de/muensterland/kreis-warendorf/ahlen/tus-ahlen-vor-75-jahren-gegrundet-850991
  5. https://www.transfermarkt.de/rot-weiss-ahlen/datenfakten/verein/50
  6. https://www.ahlen.de/ansicht/80-jahre-tus-ahlen-das-jubilaeumsspiel-gegen-fc-schalke-04-markiert-den-beginn-einer-jubilaeumsaison
  7. https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/rot-weiss-ahlen/21/
  8. https://www.rwahlen.de/stadion/wersestadion/stadioninformationen
  9. https://betsapi.com/ts/5803/Rot-Weiss-Ahlen
  10. https://fbref.com/en/squads/9cfbc3a9/history/Rot-Weiss-Ahlen-Stats-and-History
  11. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/germany-second-divison-legends-klopp-gundogan-reus-27978
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.us/2-bundesliga/tabelle/wettbewerb/L2/saison_id/2009
  13. https://www.transfermarkt.de/rot-weiss-ahlen/platzierungen/verein/50
  14. https://fbref.com/en/squads/9cfbc3a9/Rot-Weiss-Ahlen-Stats
  15. https://www.rwahlen.de/verein/historie/erfolge
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.com/rot-weiss-ahlen/rekordspiele/verein/50
  17. https://www.transfermarkt.com/rot-weiss-ahlen/pokalhistorie/verein/50
  18. https://www.transfermarkt.us/rot-weiss-ahlen/erfolge/verein/50
  19. https://www.weltfussball.de/teams/te1580/rot-weiss-ahlen/erfolge/
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.us/rot-weiss-ahlen/startseite/verein/50
  21. https://www.transfermarkt.us/kevin-grosskreutz/profil/spieler/44521
  22. https://www.transfermarkt.us/kevin-grosskreutz/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/44521
  23. https://www.transfermarkt.us/rot-weiss-ahlen/jugendarbeit/verein/50
  24. https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/rot-weiss-ahlen-a-junioren/
  25. https://www.transfermarkt.us/rot-weiss-ahlen/stadion/verein/50
  26. https://www.rwahlen.de/nachrichten/verein/auch-die-grossen-trainieren-auf-dem-kleinspielfeld
  27. https://www.rwahlen.de/nachrichten/wersenachwuchs/neuer-kabinentrakt-fur-den-wersenachwuchs-feierlich-eroffnet
  28. http://www.lgahlen.de/119/
  29. https://www.transfermarkt.com/rot-weiss-ahlen-u19/startseite/verein/7642
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.de/kevin-grosskreutz/profil/spieler/44521
  31. https://www.wn.de/sport/lokalsport/ahlen/echter-strategiewechsel-rw-ahlen-legt-frisches-jugendkonzept-vor-1063759
  32. https://www.reviersport.de/fussball/oberliga/a612015---oberliga-westfalen-sommerneuzugaenge-muessen-gehen-ahlen-setzt-eigene-jugend.html
  33. https://www.wn.de/sport/lokalsport/ahlen/rot-weiss-ahlen-ist-dreifacher-favorit-942547
  34. https://www.transfermarkt.de/rot-weiss-ahlen/kader/verein/50
  35. https://www.transfermarkt.de/rot-weiss-ahlen/mitarbeiterhistorie/verein/50
  36. https://www.weltfussball.de/teams/rot-weiss-ahlen/9/
  37. https://www.sport.de/fussball/te1580/rot-weiss-ahlen/alle-trainer/
  38. https://www.transfermarkt.us/marco-reus/debuets/spieler/35207
  39. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/farewell-marco-reus-the-story-of-a-borussia-dortmund-legend-27298
  40. https://www.transfermarkt.us/vladimir-jugovic/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/5297
  41. https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_goalgetter/2-bundesliga/tore/rot-weiss-ahlen/1/
  42. https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2019/08/jugovic-at-50-the-often-forgotten-red-star-great/
  43. https://www.kicker.de/deniz-naki/laufbahn
  44. https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/6/29/21300288/deniz-naki-bundesliga-st-pauli-kurdistan-kurds-turkey-fenerbahce-amed-pkk
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.com/deniz-naki/bilanzdetails/spieler/52317/plus/1/gegner/57
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