FCA seek stability after Wagner exit

Augsburg enter the weekend searching for direction after parting ways with Sandro Wagner, hoping Manuel Baum’s return can stabilise a side short on confidence. With Leverkusen looming, the question is whether Augsburg can regain their footing quickly enough to stop their slide.

Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen meet on Saturday in a fixture shaped as much by sporting stakes as by off-pitch upheaval. For Augsburg, the match marks the beginning of a new era – or at least a temporary one – under returning coach Manuel Baum.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, arrive as strong favourites but still searching for complete consistency as they balance an intense winter schedule with their ambitions near the top of the table. The contrast between Augsburg’s need for stability and Leverkusen’s desire to assert their calibre makes this an intriguing matchup.

The exit of Sandro Wagner:

This match comes just days after Augsburg made a decisive change on the touchline: Following a 3-0 defeat at Hoffenheim and a continued slide in form, the club parted ways with Sandro Wagner, ending a tenure that never quite found sustainable momentum. In his place steps Manuel Baum a familiar face at the WWK Arena and a figure deeply embedded within the club’s identity.

Baum previously coached Augsburg from 2016 to 2019 and has since been serving in a development and innovation role within the organization. His return, though temporary, has been welcomed by players and supporters who value his methodical, stabilising approach.

Baum has spoken of keeping things “simple” in his first days back in charge, emphasising structure, confidence, and collective commitment as the foundations he hopes to re-establish. With only three league games before the winter break, his task is clear: steady the team, stop the bleeding, and restore belief.

Recent form of both teams:

Augsburg enter the weekend in turbulent form, a stretch that ultimately led to Wagner’s dismissal. Their most recent outing at Hoffenheim exposed the defensive fragilities and lack of cohesion that have undermined them from the start of the season. Just a week earlier, Augsburg had edged Hamburg 1–0 at home, a result that briefly hinted at a potential rebound but ultimately proved an isolated success. Across the broader picture, with eight defeats in their opening twelve league matches, Augsburg have struggled to generate rhythm or identity, making Baum’s arrival both timely and necessary.

Leverkusen’s recent results tell a different story, though not without nuance. A controlled 2–0 home win over Freiburg set the tone for an emphatic 6–0 demolition of Heidenheim, performances that showcased the attacking fluidity and depth at Kasper Hjulmand’s disposal. But their momentum was checked in Munich and Dortmund, where both teams exposed defensive vulnerabilities in a 3-0 and a 2-1 defeat. The win against Dortmund in the DFB Pokal midweek may give them their confidence to keep going in the next few matches. Fatigue from their packed schedule could also play a role, even if the club publicly insists otherwise.

Squad news:

Manuel Baum reportedly has nearly his entire squad available for his coaching return, with only long-term absentees missing. This gives him the flexibility to reshape the side’s structure immediately, something he has hinted at by emphasising simplicity and defensive responsibility.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, continue to navigate a demanding run of matches but have downplayed concerns about tiredness. Rotation remains a possibility given the calendar, yet Hjulmand is expected to field a strong XI, with the focus firmly on maintaining rhythm and asserting control from the outset. The South Americans Palacios, Fernández and Arthur will certainly miss this match.

Predicted lineups:

Augsburg (3-4-2-1):

Dahmen – Banks, Matsima, Schlotterbeck – Fellhauer, Massengo, Rexhbecaj, Giannoulis – Rieder, Claude-Maurice – Essende

Leverkusen (3-4-2-1):

Flekken – Andrich, Badé, Tapsoba – Hofmann, Maza, García, Grimaldo – Tillman, Poku – Schick