“An exciting development was started at 96”
Did I miss something, or what does he mean?
The fact that Hanover has developed from a solid Bundesliga club with contact to international places to second division mediocre in recent years is actually exciting.
I would like to try to explain that to you, since you seem to be a bit overwhelmed with the statement.
The development from Europe with games against Atletico Madrid to the relegation battle in League 2 has not just “begun” but at best has already passed its low point.
The “started development” will probably refer to the time under Leitl, but above all to Mann.
If you look at the squad and the transfers of that time, you should see that very good second division players and also some potential were lured to Hanover. It is not for nothing that some of the current players or newcomers to sportingly more successful clubs were or are in the raffle (or have been).
Objectively, you are doing a very good job, which can also be seen from the fact that many see 96 in the extended sphere of aspirants for promotion.
If Leitl brings his game idea to the pitch, as he did at Fürth, and uses the potential of the players, then promotion can definitely be aimed for in the season after next. Then maybe teams like Schalke, HHSV, Hertha will no longer be there.
All of this may have contributed to the player’s assessment that an exciting development has BEGUN on the leash.