Football Season Guide

Braunschweig lived to fight another day in Bundesliga 2, but only after an extra-time victory in a play-off with third-tier Saarbrucken. Despite some good results here and there, the Lions could never fully escape the relegation scrap, something they have become accustomed to in recent seasons. The club decided to part ways with coach Daniel Scherning before the play-off match at the end of last season after his failure to take the club forward from surviving relegation the previous campaign. Heiner Backhaus has been appointed as the new head coach for the upcoming season, having fought a relegation battle of his own with Alemannia Aaachen in the third-tier. That would be a concern for the hardened Braunschweig supporter, but he did take the club up from the fourth division previously. The club has been busy in the summer trying to build a competitive side and also trimming down a squad which has become over-inflated over the past few years. A lot of the departing players were at the back end of their careers but the loss of key striker Philippe to Hamburg is likely to be felt. In terms of the players coming in, the club can be satisfied so far. Securing the permanent signatures of midfielder Tempelmann and goalkeeper Hoffmann were the priorities after both impressed on loan last season. Defensively they look set with Breunig, Frenkert, and Jakel all joining, having had experience playing at this level before. Aydin is also a good signing, having featured regularly on the right side for Schalke and central midfielder Heußer is looking to show his talents after a frustrating spell at Karlsruher. You feel Braunschweig will be tough to beat under Backhaus, especially with some shrewd defensive signings but it’s difficult to see where the goals are coming from. Yardimci on-loan from Hoffenheim has Bundesliga experience, but a reliance on him would be risky.