Latest news with #AlexanderBlessin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Raul the new named linked with the vacant RB Leipzig head coach role
Bild reports that former Real Madrid Castilla head coach and ex-striker, Raul, is a new name linked with the vacant RB Leipzig head coaching role. Raul is leaving his role as head coach of Real Madrid's second team, Castilla, as he looks to take the next step in his career. The former striker has previously rejected former club Schalke, as they search for their new head coach. It has been rumoured that there has been contact between Leipzig and Raul. Advertisement However, the name that is gaining traction is head coach Alexander Blessin. kicker reports that Blessin and former Werder Bremen head coach Ole Werner are both candidates for the role as well. Leipzig ares struggling to find a new permanent head coach as their two main candidates are Cesc Fabregas and Oliver Glasner, both have valid reasons not to leave their current clubs, especially as Leipzig failed to qualify for Europe. Fabregas is continuing to build a project at Como, while Glasner has qualified for the Europa League with Crystal Palace after winning the FA Cup. This past season has proven a reality check for Leipzig, as without Champions League football, they are no longer as attractive destination as they first thought. GGFN | Jack Meenan
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
USMNT's James Sands staying at St. Pauli on season-long loan for 2025-26
USMNT midfielder James Sands will stay at Bundesliga club St. Pauli on a season-long loan deal. Sands joined the German club in January on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign from New York City FC, with that agreement now being extended by a further season. The 24-year-old is currently out indefinitely after undergoing surgery in February on what was described as a 'complex ankle injury' which was sustained in a league game against Freiburg. Advertisement 'Missing a large part of the second half of the season is obviously a disappointment, but at the same time, it motivates me to return to the pitch as soon as possible so that we can build on what we've achieved together,' Sands said upon his loan renewal. St. Pauli's head coach Alexander Blessin said of the U.S. international's renewal: 'He has shown that with his tactical understanding, flexibility, and skillful tackling, he can contribute greatly to our stability.' St. Pauli, promoted back to the Bundesliga a year ago, finished 14th in the German top-flight, three points above the relegation play-off place. Sands, who has made 13 international appearances, previously had loan spells at Louisville City and Scottish club Rangers. This is good news for everybody. Sands made such a strong impression at before his injury and it happened just after he had really started to show his worth to the side. Alexander Blessin's side were newly promoted this season and managed to survive in the Bundesliga on account of an excellent defensive record. Sands, who is such a strong tackler and sturdy defensive player generally, was a natural fit for a team that depended on its organisation. But his versatility was a great strength, too. At different times, Sands was used in midfield, typically in tandem with club captain Jackson Irvine, or within a three-man defence, offering cover, but also allowing Eric Smith, ball-playing Swedish centre-back, to be moved further forward as necessary. He was playing some of the best football of his career when he suffered that injury against Freiburg, and seemed at home at the Millerntor Stadium and in Hamburg more broadly. He showed enough on the pitch, too, that he is worth this leap of faith from the club, even though he will likely not be fit for the start of the new season. ()
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
St. Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen preview: Defending champions travel to newly-promoted Pauli
St. Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen preview: Defending champions travel to newly-promoted Pauli St. Pauli St. Pauli only lost to Bayern from their last five Bundesliga games. This streak helped Alexander Blessin's team to extend the gap between themselves and the playoff spot to a healthy seven points. Advertisement They also secured a first away win since matchday 18 with a 2-1 success at Kiel last week. Max Geschwill's 92nd-minute own-goal is decisive since it was a direct duel between teams in a relegation fight. In all likelihood, Pauli would secure their league status before facing Bochum – another team in automatic relegation spot – in the last week of the season. Team News Captain Jackson Irvine joined long-term absentees Karol Mets and James Sands in St. Pauli's treatment room. Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso's team set to finish the season without a major title. If that was before last season's miracle, it might not be surprising. However, it'll be a disappointing return after winning the domestic double last time out. Advertisement Die Werkself had a chance to reduce the gap at the top last weekend, but they failed to beat Union Berlin at home. The difference remains six points going into the last five weeks of the season since Bayern also dropped two points at home in Der Klassiker. Leverkusen struggled to break teams in recent weeks, and the game against Pauli will pose another challenge. The newly-promoted side held one of the best defensive records in Bundesliga this season. Team News Nathan Tella is expected to be back in the squad, while Florian Wirtz might return to the starting XI. The only absentees in Leverkusen's side are Martin Terrier, Mario Hermoso and Jeanuël Belocian.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FC St. Pauli vs Bayer Leverkusen - team news, lineups, predictions
PREVIEW | FC St. Pauli vs Bayer Leverkusen - team news, lineups, predictions FC St. Pauli and Bayer Leverkusen face off this Sunday at the Millerntor-Stadion in 1. Bundesliga. FC St. Pauli currently have 29 points and lie in 15th position. Last time out, Alexander Blessin's team triumphed 1-2 against Holstein Kiel (1. Bundesliga 2024/25). Advertisement Bayer Leverkusen have won 63 points to date and are placed in 2nd position. In their last outing, Xabi Alonso's team drew 0-0 against 1. FC Union Berlin (1. Bundesliga 2024/25). The last meeting between the two teams ended with Bayer Leverkusen winning 2-1. Unavailable FC St. Pauli Bayer Leverkusen Jeanuël Belocian - Cruciate Ligament Tear Last starting XIs FC St. Pauli ( vs Holstein Kiel 2025-04-12): Nikola Vasilj, Manolis Saliakas, Philipp Treu, David Nemeth, Hauke Wahl, Adam Dzwigala, Eric Smith, Jackson Irvine, Danel Sinani, Dapo Afolayan, Elias Saad Bayer Leverkusen ( vs 1. FC Union Berlin 2025-04-12): Lukas Hradecky, Jeremie Frimpong, Piero Hincapié, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Álex Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka, Aleix García, Exequiel Palacios, Nathan Tella, Patrik Schick Did you know... by playmaker stats MANAGERS Alexander Blessin faced Xabi Alonso on one occasion, recording a loss. Xabi Alonso faced FC St. Pauli on one occasion, recording a victory. Alexander Blessin faced Bayer Leverkusen on one occasion, recording a loss. TEAMS Away from home, Bayer Leverkusen currently has four losses in the last 22 matches. Away from home, Bayer Leverkusen is coming off three consecutive games scoring goals. Bayer Leverkusen currently has five losses in the last 29 matches. Bayer Leverkusen is coming off two consecutive games without a loss. At home, FC St. Pauli is coming off two consecutive games without a loss. FC St. Pauli currently has one loss in the last five matches. FC St. Pauli is coming off five consecutive games scoring goals. FC St. Pauli is coming off three consecutive games conceding goals. FC St. Pauli is coming off two consecutive games without a loss. HEAD TO HEAD
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reports: St Pauli coach Blessin a candidate in Wolfsburg
St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin is pictured before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC St. Pauli and Borussia Moenchengladbach at the Millerntor Stadium. Christian Charisius/dpa St Pauli coach Alexander Blessin is reportedly a candidate to take over at Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg, where Ralph Hasenhüttl's future beyond the season is unclear. Daily Hamburger Abendblatt said on Tuesday that Wolfsburg are looking "very closely" at Blessin, and the Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung also reported the interest. Advertisement Wolfsburg have lost their last four matches and slipped to 12th in the standings, instead of playing for a place in Europe as desired. Austrian Hasenhüttl has a contract until 2026 at the club. Blessin took over promoted St Pauli in summer and, being seven points above the danger zone with five games left, they stand a good chance of staying in the top flight. There were also recent reports linking Blessin with RB Leipzig, where he worked as an academy coach in the past. But the Hamburger Abendblatt report said he was "not a seriously discussed name" there.
