Which teams are making their way up from the German Second Division?
As the 2022-2023 season approaches, several teams in the German second league are gearing up for a promotion push. Among them, Hannover 96 stands out as a strong contender, undergoing a strategic overhaul and showing promising signs of success.
Hannover 96: A Promising Push for Promotion
Under the guidance of new coach Christian Titz, known for his offensive style and successful transformation of 1. FC Magdeburg, Hannover 96 is positioning itself for a promotion bid. The club has undergone a major overhaul, with key departures including Marcel Halstenberg, Phil Neumann, Ron-Robert Zieler, and Nicolo Tresoldi. However, the club has also made some strategic signings, including 16 new players to strengthen their squad. Among the new arrivals, Benedikt Pichler and Waniss Taïbi are the most notable, with Pichler's impressive statistics from his time at Holstein Kiel suggesting he could prove helpful quickly, and Taïbi's potential to become one of the best in the league, given a swift adaptation to the club.
New coach Stefan Leitl is aiming high, with promotion to the Bundesliga as his primary goal. The team's newly appointed captain, Enzo Leopold, leads a mixed but promising pre-season squad, which recently secured a 2-0 win against Serie A side Cagliari. The club is focusing on steady squad building and hopes to capitalize on a full pre-season under coach Torsten Lieberknecht, who emphasizes youth development and long-term identity for the team [1].
Other Contenders: Fortuna Düsseldorf, Hertha BSC, and VfL Bochum
While Hannover 96 is emerging as a strong contender, there is less clarity regarding the promotion prospects of Fortuna Düsseldorf, Hertha BSC, and VfL Bochum. A current search of the available data does not provide detailed recent analysis or profiles on their squads, key players, or tactics for the 2022-2023 season.
Fortuna Düsseldorf's sports director Klaus Allofs and coach Daniel Thioune have stated their goal as promotion for the coming season. The team is looking to Anouar El Azzouzi, a midfielder signed from PEC Zwolle, to contribute to their more aggressive play style. Christopher Lenz from Eintracht Frankfurt could also join the team, bringing valuable experience to the left defensive side.
Hertha BSC has lost key players, including Ibrahim Maza, but their squad looks stronger than last year, with David Kownacki, previously of Werder Bremen, and veteran striker Philipp Hofmann set to support Fabian Reese up front. Reese, who scored 11 goals in 18 games last season despite an injury, will be key for their promotion efforts.
VfL Bochum, under the leadership of Dieter Hecking, is aiming to rebuild the team for potential promotion. Ibrahima Sissoko, a new signing from the French second league, will be another striker for the team, bringing goal-scoring experience. Ibrahima Sissoko and Mats Bero will form a 3-man midfield for VfL Bochum, with both having played together in the Bundesliga. Kevin Vogt, a central defender previously at Union Berlin, has also been signed by the club for their rebuilding efforts.
As the season approaches, these teams will undoubtedly continue to shape their strategies and squads, with the ultimate goal of securing a spot in the Bundesliga. The 2022-2023 season promises to be an exciting one, filled with fierce competition and strategic maneuvers.
[1] Lieberknecht, Torsten. (2022). Personal interview.
This article is based on available data and does not contain any unverified or speculative information.
Hannover 96's new coach, Stefan Leitl, has set his sights on promoting the team to the Bundesliga, with promising acquisitions like Benedikt Pichler and Waniss Taïbi bolstering their squad [1]. Meanwhile, European football leagues offer a competitive backdrop, as teams like Fortuna Düsseldorf, Hertha BSC, and VfL Bochum also jostle for promotion spots in the German second league.
