Latest news with #AndreasSchicker
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hoffenheim boss again promises to streamline 39-man-squad
Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker has promised immediate 'streamlining' of his club's absurdly large 39-man-roster. A squad of such size is unheard of in the Bundesliga. The Sinsheimers – who narrowly avoided relegation last season and only have the league and cup to contest this year – have desperately been trying to shed players since the end of last season. Schicker has made this specific promise before, but hasn't exactly executed her the course of the summer. German youth international Joshua Quarshie remains the only departure on the TSG front thus far. Meanwhile, Schicker and staff have brought in four new arrivals: striker Tim Lemperle, defensive midfielder Leon Avdullahu, and defenders Bernardo and Koki Machida. Advertisement There continue to be rumors that the Hoffenheim administrative team are targeting still more players. Schicker nevertheless emphasized to reporters at the club's summer training camp that 'one or two loan deals' would help him and the front office reduce this 'very, very large squad'. Hoffenheim's squad features plenty of obvious deadweight that can be cut. Players such as Haris Tabakovic, Mërgim Berisha, Valetin Gendrey, Arthur Chaves, Stanley Nsoki, Florian Grillitsch, and Attila Szalai are still not likely to generate much interest. It does appear as if the Kraichgauer can fetch decent transfer fees for talents such as Fisnik Asllani and Anton are also a few whispers that Grillitsch and Szalai can be parked in loan locales. Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu does report that Süper Lig club Kasımpaşa may be interested in bringing the Hungarian centre-back back to Turkey, but such rumors have proved false on multiple occasions in the past. GGFN | Peter Weis
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hoffenheim target Elversberg centre-back Lukas Pinckert
Sky Germany reports that TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are targeting SV Elversberg centre back Lukas Pinckert. The German second division side – having recently lost squad captain Robin Fellhauer to Augsburg – may be about to lose another key player. Elversberg narrowly missed out on promotion to the German top flight in this year's playoffs. Pinckert just completed a strong season for his Saarland side. The 25-year-old made 39 appearances across all competitions, in the process more than doubling his estimated market value from €600,000 to €1.5m over the course of the 2023/24 campaign. Sky notes that other German clubs are interested. Additionally, Elversberg – per the German pay TC channels – Elversberg have received inquires from Belgium and France. Advertisement Hoffenheim continue to try and shore up their defensive corps ahead of next season. Defensive midfielder Leon Avdullahu has been purchased from FC Basel for €10m while versatile Brazilian defender Bernardo arrived from VfL Bochum on a free. The rumored purchase of Japanese centre-back Koki Machida was also wrapped up yesterday. The 17-times-capped Samurai international arrived in Sinsheim for a reported €4.5 transfer fee. Machida maintains a €11m estimated market value. 'In Koki Machida, we have found a center back who has exactly the qualities we were looking for in this position,' TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker noted in a club statement yesterday. 'He has experience as a Japanese international and was a regular in Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's championship-winning team last season. Koki is an uncompromising defender who doesn't shy away from a tackle. He is also very strong in the air and has good [field] vision.' 'I am very happy that my transfer to TSG Hoffenheim has worked out,' Machida himself added. 'TSG is an extremely exciting and ambitious club that plays in one of Europe's top five leagues. For me, the move to Hoffenheim and the Bundesliga is the next step in my career and I honestly can't wait to get started with my new teammates. I will definitely give everything to be successful with the team in the future.' GGFN | Peter Weis
Associated Press
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Hoffenheim signs Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise
SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) — German team Hoffenheim has signed Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgian champion Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The 27-year-old Machida, who has played 17 games for Japan, signed a 'long-term contract' at Hoffenheim, the Bundesliga club said on Friday without elaborating. Kicker magazine reported Hoffenheim agreed to pay around 4.5 million euros ($5.3 million) for the player, possibly rising to over 5 million ($5.9 million) with bonuses. 'In Koki Machida we've found a central defender who brings exactly the qualities we were looking for in this position,' Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker said. 'He has international experience as a Japanese national team player and was an absolute key part of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's championship-winning last season. Koki is an uncompromising defender who never shies away from a challenge.' Machida initially joined the Belgian team on loan from Kashima Antlers in 2022, earning a permanent switch the following year. Altogether he played 114 games for Union. 'For me the step to Hoffenheim and in the Bundesliga is the next in my career,' Machida said in a Hoffenheim statement. Hoffenheim finished just above the Bundesliga relegation zone last season. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hoffenheim plan to go into upcoming season with coach Ilzer
Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer gestures on the touchline during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich at PreZero Arena. Uwe Anspach/dpa Despite almost getting relegated from the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim plan to go into the next season with coach Christian Ilzer. "We will definitely go into the next season wit Christian Ilzer. We have to give him time, and also a longer preparation period, to change something," sporting director Andreas Schicker said after the 4-0 defeat to champions Bayern Munich in the final matchday of the season. Advertisement Ilzer was signed in November 2024 to replace the dismissed Pellegrino Matarazzo but failed to get the team out of the crisis. Hoffenheim finished the season in 15th, just three points from the drop zone. "We know it was a totally messed-up season. Now we're relieved that we can play in the Bundesliga again next season. But we're aware that things can't continue like this and we have to change something," Schicker said. On Monday, Schicker and Ilzer will meet to develop a strategy for the next term. "We need to set the right momentum. We have a clear plan, and we want to implement it in the pre-season," Ilzer said.
