The already explosive situation became even more acute for FC Augsburg and its coach Sandro Wagner after the cup exit against second division team VfL Bochum. He remains positive before the game against Borussia Dortmund and says: “We are not stubborn.”
These days, Sandro Wagner seems a bit like a mouse who stands up in front of a cat and says: “What do you want from me?!” With his voice still broken, he patiently answered reporters’ questions at the obligatory matchday press conference on Thursday. At least in one point he now seems to be further along than before the Bochum game.
Changes against Dortmund: “We are not stubborn”
“Of course we have to change something,” emphasized Wagner, “we’re not stubborn about that. I’m not someone who says: We’ll keep doing exactly that because we’re so cool or great.” And further: “I don’t want to sugarcoat our situation, I can read the table.”
That sounded significantly different than a few days ago, when before the cup game he seemed as if the 37-year-old really wanted to continue with his approach. But after two tough defeats against Leipzig (0:6) and just Bochum (0:1) The conviction becomes established that not everything can continue as before.
Wagner left it largely open as to exactly what he would change against BVB (“they have brutal quality”). He sees “many detailed issues” there. However, the coach would like to leave certain other things like the early start as they are. It is clear that the starting eleven will change again compared to the cup game. It’s not just regular goalkeeper Finn Dahmen who returns to the starting line-up.
Sandro Wagner praises the sports management: “Awesome!”
The fact that things are “a bit choppy” at the moment, as he calls it, could have caused Wagner to rethink things, as could the discussions in the club. And he not only feels full support, but also has a lot of experienced people around him with whom he can exchange ideas: “Everyone in the sports management “gives me something, I’m not alone, that’s really cool,” said Wagner, referring in particular to sports director Benjamin Weber, Manuel Baum (head of development and football innovation) and Julian Baumgartlinger (coordinator of the licensed player department).
“Today the CEO came to me and said: We’re really keen to go down this path with you as a trainer and just want to do it,” reported the 37-year-old, who still believes he’s in the right place at the right time: “I’m not that hesitant, I’m still in a good mood.” He even gained something positive from the little crisis: “If we get out of this, it’ll be great for my personality.” After many positive years, “maybe it’s good for me now, the rough wind. It’s okay.”
FCA feels comfortable in the underdog role
Of course, it doesn’t matter how he is doing, it doesn’t matter, it’s about the matter, about the club, about the players. And for them it was “a cool phase” that everything was focused on him. Besides, “nobody expects us, it’s actually a great situation.” Let’s hope that the cat doesn’t eat the mouse anyway.
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Source: BR24 – Information in the evening October 30, 2025 – 6:30 p.m
