Football Season Guide

Holstein Kiel are one of three new sides to gain promotion to the second division this season and will simply aim to still be there when the 2018/19 campaign starts. The team from Northern Germany can be seen as true outsiders to remain in the league having never been as high as the second division before and having been promoted with a squad who have very little experience of anything other than regional leagues and the third division. Even for head coach, Markus Anfang, it will be an entirely new experience as he has spent much of his coaching life in control of youth sides. Much like Würzburger Kickers last season, Kiel will rely on the spirit within the squad to get them through the season which is likely to start with a significant adjustment period. However, also much like Würzburg, who were eventually relegated last season, the question remains as to whether there is enough quality in the squad to stay up. From the team that was promoted last season, very few have played outside the third division with the exception of some key defensive players such as centre-back Niklas Hohender and midfielder Dominuc Peitz. Many of the signings that have been made are therefore to try and strengthen crucial areas of the team where the existing players have simply not been good enough. Anfang has focused on a couple of areas including the defence which will be made up of players who have recently played in the second division such as David Kinsombi and Lukas Kruse. As well as in attack where Marvin Ducksch and Ilir Azemi will hope to establish themselves unlike at their previous clubs. Kiel will need to be prepared to battle every week as many sides in the league are simply better and more experienced than them. Their hopes of survival will depend more on whether the squad works together or if they crack under the pressure as many sides have done before them.