Relegation battle and in the end twelfth place in the table. In the coming season, TSG Hoffenheim wants to be in a better position again. With which squad? SWR Sport gives an overview at the start of training.
On Sunday (July 2nd) TSG Hoffenheim will start their preparations for the 2023/24 season under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The team in Zuzenhausen will start training at 3 p.m. What is the status of the personnel planning?
Who is coming to TSG Hoffenheim?
It’s been a difficult season for TSG Hoffenheim: the Kraichgauers have been in the middle of it for a long time relegation battleto that change of coach and a sobering twelfth place in the table at the end of the season. Sports director Rosen had a “slightly bigger upheaval” announced.
With Florian Grillitsch there is a prominent returnee at TSG. The 27-year-old midfielder, who played for TSG from 2017 to 2022, is moving from Ajax Amsterdam to Kraichgau on a free transfer. The Austrian national player signed a three-year contract.
As a future reinforcement is also coming Midfielder Julian Justvan brought to TSG. The 25-year-old comes from the second division SC Paderborn. His contract runs until 2027. He wants to develop further in the Hoffenheim squad and assert himself in the Bundesliga.
Also comes from the 2nd league Maximilian Beier back to TSG. The 20-year-old striker was loaned out to Hannover 96 last season and gained match practice there. Also became a regular player in the 2nd division Mark John. He returns to Kraichgau after being loaned to SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Both have a contract until 2025. It remains to be seen to what extent they can establish themselves in the Bundesliga at the second attempt.
Who is leaving TSG Hoffenheim?
The list of departures at TSG Hoffenheim is currently much longer. Leaving after a total of eleven years Sebastián Rudy the TSG. The record player’s contract expires and has not been extended. After a total of 295 games for TSG in the Bundesliga, the 33-year-old doesn’t want to end his career just yet: “Maybe there will be another step. In any case, I still feel like playing football and I’m open to new things,” he said.
Also at Substitute goalkeeper Philipp Pentke the expiring contract was not extended. However, like Rudy, the 38-year-old wants to continue his career. As number three in goal behind Oliver Baumann and Luca Philipp, the sporting loss for TSG should be limited, but he will be missing in the team structure: “His words were also very important in the dressing room due to his great experience,” said sporting director Rosen on Farewell. Pentke played eight times in the Bundesliga for TSG, three times in the DFB Cup and once in the Europa League.
With the loan players Justin Che (19) and Edward Quaresma (21) Two other players leave the team coached by Matarazzo. Both could not recommend themselves last season, so Hoffenheim does not take the purchase option. Likewise, the loaned Danish players Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg not play for the Kraichgauer in the coming season. The 31-year-old defender and the 25-year-old forward return to their home clubs Sevilla FC and OGC Nice.
For financial reasons, TSG has the Spanish winger Angelino, who was on loan from RB Leipzig, not committed. “Unfortunately, a further obligation for us is not economically viable given the current framework conditions. But should a window open again in this regard, we would at least be willing to talk,” said von Rosen. Hoffenheim would have had to pay 20 million euros. The 26-year-old had assisted 10 goals in 33 Bundesliga games.
Stephen Posch was no longer part of the TSG squad last season because he was loaned to FC Bologna. The Italian first division club has now exercised the purchase option. The 26-year-old defender is leaving the Kraichgau for good.
The Austrian international Christopher Baumgartner has the TSG in the direction of RB Leipzig leave. The 23-year-old Austrian signed a five-year contract with the Champions League starter until June 30, 2028. The Saxons are said to have paid around 24 million euros as a basic fee for the flexible midfielder.
Who could come to TSG Hoffenheim?
striker Marius Bülter is a prime candidate. The 30-year-old played for Schalke 04 last season, scored eleven goals and wants to continue playing in the Bundesliga. Schalke’s sports director André Hechelmann confirmed a specific request from Hoffenheim. In mid-June one was still “far away from a finished contract construct”. The current status is uncertain. According to media reports, a fee of five million euros is in the room.
There is also speculation about an interest in Hoffenheim Zan Celar. He is currently under contract with FC Lugano in Switzerland. The Slovenian is 24 years old and was trained at AS Roma, among others.
Who else could go?
defender Kasim Adams was loaned to FC Basel last season. The loan business ends and the Swiss first division club has not exercised the purchase option. However, it is questionable whether Adams will really come back to TSG.
For U21 internationals Angelo Stiller a farewell is conceivable. The midfielder made 20 appearances and scored one goal last season. VfB Stuttgart should be interested. That would suit Stiller well: under VfB coach Hoeneß, who trained TSG at the time, he celebrated his Bundesliga debut in 2021.
It seems as if the “bigger upheaval” that sports director Rosen spoke of at the end of the season is still in full swing. There are still more departures to be expected, but above all additional reinforcements in the Kraichgau.
