Football Season Guide

A change in the dugout midway through the campaign helped Werder Bremen secure an immediate return to the top fight of German football as they finished second in a tightly contested 2.Bundesliga campaign where just five points separated the top four teams. Ole Werner took over when Bremen was outside the top half of the table and ensured a consistent run from his side that saw them climb all the way upto second place. Werner will need to work his magic once again if his side are to hold on to their place in the Bundesliga with Bremen putting up underwhelming displays in their last two campaigns. While Bremen have resisted the temptation to spend big, they have brought in some experienced names with Niklas Stark and Mitchell Weiser both signed on free transfers, the latter having already been on loan last season. Jens Stage is the only player to command a fee so far and will be aiming to improve on a decent campaign with FC Copenhagen last season. Other arrivals include Amos Pieper, Oliver Burke, Lee Buchanan and Dikeni Salifou, all of whom arrived on free transfers Bremen have managed to hold on to their first choice players and have let go of a number of their supporting players. Toprak, Straudi and Badjie have been released from their contracts while Schonfelder and Park have been sent out on loan. Maik Nawrocki has also seen his loan deal with Legia Warszawa converted into a permanent move while Mai and Assale return back to their clubs following the conclusion of their loan spells. It will be a familiar looking squad that will take to the field next season but whether it is enough to sustain Bremen's status as a Bundesliga club remains a big question.