It’s rare that Bob Hanning has to search for words. “At the moment I’m a bit externally organized,” the 54-year-old replies when asked about his current situation. You rarely hear that from the managing director of Füchse Berlin and coach of the second division club VfL Potsdam. But even for Hanning, who has been used to dancing at several weddings since his time as DHB Vice President at the latest, the time is quite exhausting. Because in addition to the two existing functions, he has currently taken over the coaching position for the foxes from the sick Jaron Siewert.

A challenging constellation that only partially reduces the anticipation of the upcoming VfL season opening in the MBS Arena in Potsdam on Wednesday (7 p.m.), which is traditionally celebrated with a game against the cooperation partner. Because what Hanning has worked so meticulously for over the past few years is bearing fruit on this day like never before.

Not only was Potsdam able to climb up to the second division with Hanning on the sidelines. Both teams are also streaked with former young foxes because the cooperation has been intensified again. The youth internationals Max Beneke, Maxim Orlov, Moritz Sauter, Dustin Kraus and Lasse Ludwig are under contract at VfL, all of whom come from the Füchse talent factory and are now supposed to collect playing time with the Potsdam team after a few trips to the first division which starts the season with the DHB Cup game against TuSEM Essen on August 28th.

“You can tell that we lack age and experience, but we make up for it with passion and heart. I’m very happy with the boys,” says Hanning, becoming slightly euphoric: “We can now live our dream.” Hanning is certain that his boys will make their way into the Bundesliga through the springboard of the second division.

Tim Freihöfer, who is now a permanent fixture in the squad for the Foxes, has already demonstrated this this season and has taken the place of Tim Matthes on the left flank. This is demonstrated by middleman Orlov, who helped out in preparation for the Berlin friendly, as well as goalkeeper Ludwig, who is planned to be used in the European League matches.

This is also shown by the foxes players Nils Lichtlein and Matthes Langhoff, who follow in the footsteps of Paul Drux and Fabian Wiede and can collect additional playing times in Potsdam via the right to play a second game. “It’s a two-way aid, a complement within the family. Everyone knows each other and the system,” says Hanning. “This is unique.”

While he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on his Potsdamers to succeed in the first second division season, the Foxes’ goal this year is as high as ever. With goalkeeper Viktor Kireev, pivot Max Darj and backcourt player Mathias Gidsel, the club has substantially strengthened itself in three central positions. For Hanning, the team is “the best we’ve ever had”. Also because the top quality is carried by the youth players across the board. That’s why the third place from last season should at least be confirmed this year.

“We definitely have the right to attack from above and defend from below,” says Hanning, who is hoping for the return of coach Jaron Siewert by the start of the season on September 4th. In Potsdam, the 28-year-old is occasionally represented by his assistant coach Max Rinderle – after all, Hanning can hardly coach both sides in a game. In the end, however, as with the cooperation, one thing is certain: Bob Hanning can only win.