The 2018-19 campaign was a season of turbulent consolidation for Roda JC as Koempels navigated their return to the Eerste Divisie following relegation. Despite ultimately finishing in a mid-table 13th place, the season was defined by the stunning, prolific form of German winger Mario Engels, whose 24 league goals anchored the attack and proved his class in the second tier. This campaign, which also saw a hard-fought KNVB Cup run end narrowly on penalties to Eredivisie giants Ajax in the Round of 16, marked a vital year of stabilization and set a strong individual benchmark for their star player.