Football Season Guide

Another solid campaign for Werder Bremen who narrowly missed out on a European spot for a second season running but showed improvement both in terms of position and points to finish last season in eighth place. Bremen did hit a rough run of form midway through the campaign but an unbeaten run in the final eight games ensured a top half finish for a second season running. They do face a big challenge ahead of the new campaign though after parting ways with Ole Werner at the end of last season. Werner had not only guided them to promotion from 2.Bundesliga but had ensured back to back top half finishes though his unwillingness to extend his contract beyond 2026 forced Bremen's hands. Bremen have appointed Horst Steffen as Werner's replacement and he is expected to change the formation, with Bremen often playing with a three-man defense last season. Steffen will be taking over a settled squad heading into the new season and Marvin Ducksch has been the only major departure though Bremen have replaced him with a potentially exciting name in Samuel Mbangula from Juventus. Milos Veljkovic and Anthony Jung's departure on free transfers leaves Bremen a bit light in the defense though they have brought in Maximilian Wober on loan from Leeds United and he is expected to be a regular starter. A new coach and a new system means Bremen will need time to find their feet and while another top half finish could prove to be difficult, they should have enough in their tank to ensure a comfortable place in the midtable.