Large hurdle ahead: Sports director Schicker of TSG suggests potential shift - Expanded sports leader Schicker finalizes move to TSG, expressing concerns over team's expanse.
German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is set to trim its squad size, as announced by CEO and sporting director Andreas Schicker at the team's training start. The decision comes in response to concerns over the current size of the squad, which stands at approximately 40 professionals.
Schicker's comments, made in front of around 1,000 fans, signalled the club's intention to streamline its roster in the coming days. One of the first departures is veteran Czech defender Pavel Kaderabek, who has returned to Sparta Prague after a decade at Hoffenheim. This move marks the beginning of the club's efforts to transfer out experienced players.
In addition to Kaderabek, midfielder Florian Grillitsch and defenders Attila Szalai and Stanley Nsoki are also potential candidates for exit. However, Schicker has not specified any specific players who will be leaving the club in connection with the upcoming games.
The squad size reduction is necessary, according to Schicker, due to the demanding schedule that awaits Hoffenheim in the new season. The club's first Bundesliga match of the season is against Champions League participant Bayer Leverkusen, scheduled a week after the team's first competitive game against third-division side FC Hansa Rostock, set for August 16.
This initial competitive game will be an away match, followed by a home match against Bayer Leverkusen on August 23. The date for the first Bundesliga match was confirmed earlier, providing a one-week gap between the team's first competitive game and their first Bundesliga match.
Schicker also mentioned that one or two loan deals will be completed as part of the squad adjustments. This approach will allow the club to maintain a balance between experience and youth, while ensuring a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
As Hoffenheim prepares for the new season, the focus is on building a leaner and more efficient squad, ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead in the Bundesliga and beyond.
The CEO and sporting director of German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Andreas Schicker, highlighted the club's plan to reduce its squad size, as announced during the team's training start in front of 1,000 fans. This decision, based on the demanding schedule in the new season, could see players like veteran Czech defender Pavel Kaderabek, midfielder Florian Grillitsch, and defenders Attila Szalai and Stanley Nsoki depart. Schicker also mentioned possible loan deals as part of the squad adjustments, aiming to maintain a balance between experience and youth, while ensuring a competitive sports team for the upcoming season, particularly in European leagues like the Bundesliga.
