Football Season Guide

Augsburg's last season did not go according to plan as they spent three quarters of the campaign in the bottom three and only a late improvement in form in the final weeks helped them push clear and secure their safety. The club was clearly not happy with the performances last season and have acted by deciding not to renew Markus Weinzierl's contract. Instead Borussia Dortmund reserves coach Enrico Maaßen has been signed on as the replacement but he faces a difficult task ahead of the new season. Elvis Rexhbecaj has been their only major arrival so far though Augsburg have also converted Arne Maier's loan deal into a permanent move. Maximilian Bauer and Ermedin Demirovic have been signed on free transfers with the latter expected to boost a depleted attack that has seen two key figures leave. Finnbogason suffered another injury interrupted campaign last season and has been let go on a free transfer along with Gregoritsch, who has since gone on to sign for Freiburg, while Zeqiri also leaves the club after his loan deal ended. Moravek has also been released while Civeja and Stanic have been sent out on loan. Gregoritsch and Finnbogason's departures could be key for Augsburg with the duo having scored crucial goals that have kept the side in the Bundesliga in last few seasons and failure to bring in suitable replacements means Augsburg will be heading into the new season with a weakened squad compared to last year.