Hecking's hope for Hofmann

A scary moment: Philipp Hofmann clutches his chest in Heidenheim. Not everyone realized at the time that his life was in danger. IMAGO/Michael Weber

"Thanks to the very good medical care, he is doing better considering the circumstances," Hecking told the Sport-Informationsdienst (SID) on Monday on the sidelines of the "I love football talk" at the German Football Museum in Dortmund with regard to Philipp Hofmann , also confirming that the striker is still in the hospital for treatment.

"We secretly hope he'll be back home on Wednesday," the 60-year-old continued. The coach couldn't provide an answer as to when Hofmann would be able to play football again. However, he did confirm that the striker's current season is over. Hofmann has appeared in 32 Bundesliga matches for the relegation candidate this season, scoring three goals and providing four assists (kicker average rating: 3.96).

Hofmann was substituted in the tenth minute of the 0-0 draw in Heidenheim with chest pain after an early collision with Marvin Pieringer. Initially, it didn't look like a serious injury, especially since Hofmann had left the field on his own accord when he was substituted. However, as we now know, that was deceptive.

"It was truly life-threatening for him, so thank God the decision was made to send him to the hospital," said Hecking. There, it turned out that he had suffered a severe rib fracture , with the rib piercing his pleura and causing a collapsed lung. A life-threatening situation for Hofmann, who is now on the road to recovery after a successful surgery.

However, Hecking revealed that the striker "still has a tube in his lungs" that "still needs to be removed." Hofmann will therefore have to remain "under observation for another 24 hours."