NUREMBERG HAVE BEEN unable to beg, borrow or steal a win in the Bundesliga this season but their coach has not yet given up hope that they will avoid the drop.
Gertjan Verbeek has vowed not to shave again until his team claim their first league win of the season. After 17 fruitless games, the Dutchman obviously feels that the time has come to really motivate his men.
Verbeek made his beard intentions known following Nuremberg’s 0-0 draw with Schalke in December, the club’s 11th draw of the season. The Bundesliga returns this weekend after a month off for the winter break. Since the break on 21 December, the former Feyenoord boss has developed a nifty goatee.
He told Bild, “I have received many compliments.” Verbeek is eager for Nuremberg to gain their first league win of the season today as he has no intentions ‘of playing Santa Claus soon’.
Nuremberg play 12th place Hoffenheim at home this afternoon and, surprisingly for a team without a win all season, a victory would see them climb to the promotion/relegation place in 16th.
