Latest news with #TomWeller
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Augsburg fires coach and sporting director after less-than-satisfactory Bundesliga season
Augsburg's head coach Jess Thorup applauds during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Augsburg in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Augsburg fired coach Jess Thorup and sporting director Marinko Jurendić after an end-of-season review found there's room for improvement in a team that finished 12th in the 18-team Bundesliga. 'Following an intense decision-making process and open and honest discussion, we have decided to make a change in our head coach in the interests of continuing the development and direction of our club,' Augsburg chief executive Michael Ströll said on Friday. Advertisement Thorup took over from the fired Enrico Maaßen in October 2023 and steered the team away from the relegation zone. The team's form dipped toward the end of the season, however, with five defeats in a row resulting in an 11th-place finish. This season it was four losses in a row that led to 12th. Ströll said the club took 'an in-depth look at all areas' and decided to 'restructure our sporting leadership' leading to Jurendić's dismissal. The club said it will announce successors 'as soon as they've been confirmed.' Former Hertha Berlin, Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich forward Sandro Wagner is reportedly a candidate to take over as coach. The 37-year-old Wagner is an assistant to Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann but is leaving that position after the final Nations League games on June 4 and 8 to pursue a career in club coaching. Augsburg has played in the Bundesliga every year since clinching promotion in 2011. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heidenheim and Elversberg draw 2-2 in Bundesliga playoff first leg
Heidenheim's Niklas Dorsch, front, tries to score past Elversberg goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Frans Krätzig, left, and Elversberg's Tom Zimmerschied battle for the ball during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Mathias Honsak, center, celebrates after his goal during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Elversberg's Lukas Petkov, left, celebrates with Semih Sahin (r) after scoring during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Omar Traore, left, and Elversberg's Robin Fellhauer battle for the ball during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Omar Traore, left, and Elversberg's Robin Fellhauer battle for the ball during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Niklas Dorsch, front, tries to score past Elversberg goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Frans Krätzig, left, and Elversberg's Tom Zimmerschied battle for the ball during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Mathias Honsak, center, celebrates after his goal during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Elversberg's Lukas Petkov, left, celebrates with Semih Sahin (r) after scoring during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) Heidenheim's Omar Traore, left, and Elversberg's Robin Fellhauer battle for the ball during a Bundesliga relegation playoff first leg soccer match between FC Heidenheim and SV Elversberg, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Heidenheim, Germany. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) HEIDENHEIM, Germany (AP) — Two overachieving clubs clashed for a place in the Bundesliga and neither could strike a decisive blow. Top-tier Heidenheim and second-division Elversberg drew 2-2 in the first leg of their relegation/promotion playoff on Thursday, leaving the contest finely poised before the second leg in Elversberg on Monday. Advertisement 'Everything open,' Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt said. Heidenheim, which was only promoted to the top division in 2023 after an unlikely ascent through the lower leagues, finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga this season when it also had to contend with European competition after its eighth-place finish last year. Elversberg, which was still playing at fourth-tier level three years ago, finished third in the second division to earn its shot in the playoff. It was a duel between modest clubs with the longest-serving coaches in German professional soccer. Schmidt took over in Heidenheim on Sept. 17, 2007, while his Elversberg counterpart Horst Steffen took charge on Oct. 29, 2018. Advertisement Steffen led the team from the fourth-tier regional league, clinching promotion to the third division in 2022, then to the second as third-division champion a year later, before earning the shot at Bundesliga promotion this year. Heidenheim made the better start and missed good chances before Lukas Petkov struck for the visitors in the 18th minute, and Fisnik Asllani finished off a well-worked team move to make it 2-0 in the 42nd. Omar Haktab Traoré thought he'd pulled one back for Heidenheim before the break, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check found an offside player involved in the buildup. Schmidt reacted with three changes at the interval. Advertisement Tim Siersleben pulled a goal back on a rebound in the 62nd, and Mathias Honsak equalized three minutes later. The home team finished strongly as the visitors tired, but neither team could claim an advantage before the second leg in Elversberg. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Woltemade to be in Germany squad, reports say Musiala out Gnabry in
Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Augsburg at MHPArena. Tom Weller/dpa VfB Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade is to be called up to the Germany senior team for the first time when the Nations League squad is named on Thursday. Under-21 coach Antonio di Salvo confirmed the move when naming his squad for the under-21 European championship. Advertisement The forward was also included in the U-21 squad for the Euros in Slovakia June 11-28, but has declared he has no objections to playing in both tournaments. The Nations League Final Four is June 4-8 on home soil, with Julian Nagelsmann's Germany facing Portugal in the semi-finals. Di Salvo told reporters on Wednesday: "Julian called and said he was needed. He's going to the senior national team for now and I hope he will lead them to the Nations League title. He will help us after that." Before national team duties, Woltemade will play the German Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. The 23-year-old has 12 Bundesliga goals this term and gets his chance with Tim Kleindienst ruled out with injury. Advertisement Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry is to return to the Germany squad, the Bild newspaper and broadcaster Sky said on Wednesday, but Kicker reported that Jamal Musiala and Antonio Rüdiger would miss out after longer-term injuries. Gnabry last played for the national team in November. He missed the Nations League quarter-final against Italy in March due to his inconsistent performances at Bayern. According to Bild, West Ham forward Niclas Füllkrug is also set to return. Füllkrug last played for Germany in September 2024 and has since struggled with Achilles tendon problems, which had an impact on his form.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Müller says goodbye to Bundesliga as Kane finishes top scorer again
Munich's Thomas Mueller reacts after the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich at PreZero Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Departing Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller said farewell to the Bundesliga with a victory but gave no clues as to his next destination. He started Saturday's 4-0 win at Hoffenheim in the final Bundesliga game of the campaign. Advertisement The 35-year-old recently wrapped up a record-extending 13th Bundesliga title but will not stay in the German top flight out of respect for his so far only club Bayern. "People have been bidding me farewell for six weeks," he joked to Sky about the time since his exit announcement. "It was a lot of fun. The time was crazy. The Bundesliga has always been my league, to play so many games is obviously nice. "I wanted to score but only to win the game, not as a farewell goal. Football is about winning." Müller made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern way back in 2008 and has made 503 league appearances. He might still turn out for Bayern at the Club World Cup from mid-June but is then widely expected to go to the MLS, also in the United States. Advertisement "I know what I'm doing tomorrow and the day after. Afterwards it is only in the stars. I will take my time. There is a bit of a pause before the next game in the middle of June," he said. "I like it when people think out of the box and make me an offer. The whole package has to work out." Harry Kane finished the season as Bundesliga top scorer for the second straight campaign with 26 goals. He said winning the title made the honour much sweeter. "It is what I have been waiting for. It is a special feeling," he said after netting off the bench at Hoffenheim. "It was nice to finish with another goal." Munich's Harry Kane stands with the top scorer of the 2024/2025 season after the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich at PreZero Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Munich's Thomas Mueller reacts after the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich at PreZero Arena. Tom Weller/dpa
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bundesliga Leaders Bayern held to draw in top clash against Dortmund
Munich's Raphael Guerreiro (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal with teammate Josip Stanisic during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Leaders Bayern Munich missed the chance of extending their advantage at the top of the Bundesliga table after a 2-2 draw in the top clash against Borussia Dortmund. The Bavarians had the chance of opening an eight-point gap over champions Bayer Leverkusen, who earlier were held to a goalless draw with Union Berlin. With the results, six points separate both teams with five games left. Advertisement Dortmund took the lead in the 48th minute through Maximilian Beier, but their former player Raphael Guerreiro equalized the score in the 65th and Serge Gnabry turned the game around for the Bavarians five minutes later. But Waldemar Anton secured a point for Dortmund with his effort in the 75th, after Bayern failed to clear their lines following a corner. Despite late pressure, the Bavarians failed to find a winner. Both teams were coming off defeats in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. While Bayern lost 2-1 to Inter Milan, Dortmund were thrashed 4-0 by Barcelona. Dortmund's Maximilian Beier scores his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Dortmund's Maximilian Beier celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Dortmund's Julian Ryerson (L) and Munich's Minjae Kim battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa
