Heiko Vogel begins his first full campaign as Greuther Fürth head coach with a significantly reshaped squad, following a summer that saw fifteen players depart and eleven new faces arrive at the Sportpark Ronhof.
The Kleeblatt preserved their 2. Bundesliga status via the relegation play-offs last season, overturning a first-leg deficit to defeat Rot-Weiss Essen after a dramatic final-day victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf had spared them automatic demotion. Defensive struggles plagued the previous campaign, with the club conceding sixty-eight league goals—the worst record in the division.
Summer Overhaul
The squad reconstruction has been extensive. Last season’s top scorer Noel Futkeu joined Eintracht Frankfurt, while influential figures Branimir Hrgota, Philipp Ziereis and Maximilian Dietz also exited among the fifteen departures.
To compensate, the club have recruited a blend of experience and potential. Jannis Heuer, Paul Will and Shinta Appelkamp headline the incoming contingent, with the trio expected to assume key roles immediately. The recruitment drive has seen arrivals from Kaiserslautern, Darmstadt, Mainz and Stuttgart, comprising both permanent transfers and loan acquisitions.
Former Wolfsburg midfielder Felix Klaus has been appointed club captain. The 31-year-old demonstrated his leadership credentials during pre-season, scoring four goals across victories against Swiss side Zürich and Bundesliga outfit Freiburg, including a 3-0 triumph over the latter.
Pre-Season and Tactical Approach
Aside from a surprise defeat to Regionalliga side Bayreuth, Fürth’s friendly programme provided genuine cause for optimism. Wins over Eltersdorf and Bamberg preceded the successes against Zürich and Freiburg, suggesting the new-look side is adapting quickly to Vogel’s methods.
The head coach experimented with several formations during the second half of last term, including 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1 and 4-4-2 systems. Given the extensive turnover, a flexible tactical approach appears likely to continue as Vogel searches for his strongest starting eleven.
Opening Fixtures
Fürth face a demanding start to the campaign. They open with a trip to recently relegated St. Pauli before hosting fierce rivals Nürnberg in the Franconian derby at the Sportpark Ronhof on matchday two. August concludes with an away fixture against newly promoted Energie Cottbus, followed by a home meeting with Heidenheim in early September.
After successive seasons spent battling relegation, securing a comfortable mid-table finish represents the primary objective. While external expectations remain cautious, the comprehensive refresh offers hope that the Bavarian club can restore stability and begin climbing the 2. Bundesliga standings.