Manuel Baum was actually only intended as a quick solution and as an interim coach at FC Augsburg. But the fixed-term employment contract will now be extended until the end of the season.
Manuel Baum will now look after FC Augsburg for longer than initially planned. The interim coach will take over the Bundesliga club until the end of the current season. It was actually planned that Baum would only be on the sidelines for three games until the winter break.
However, after gaining four points and noticeably stabilizing the team, the club and Baum announced a surprising decision on the coaching question shortly before Christmas. From next summer, however, Baum will return to his original role as an official.
“Exactly the right coach”
“We are convinced that Manuel Baum is exactly the right coach for our FC Augsburg in the current situation. He enjoys our full trust and we are very pleased that Manuel has agreed to continue the task until the end of the season. After he took over our team at the beginning of December, he did a very good job. We want to build on that together in 2026,” explained managing director Michael Ströll.
Baum himself is also positive about his new role: “I really enjoyed working with our team. That’s why I’m looking forward to being FCA’s head coach for a little longer. But it’s important for me to be able to return to my original position. Until then, after the short winter break, we’ll do everything we can together to have a successful season.”
Baum takes a clear line
After separating from Wagner at the beginning of December, Baum initially took over for three matches as planned. The 46-year-old relied on a clear “keep it simple” concept and led the team to four points in his Bundesliga comeback from the games against Bayer Leverkusen (2:0), at Eintracht Frankfurt (0:1) and against Werder Bremen (0:0).
After the goalless draw against Bremen, Baum made it clear how much he enjoyed returning to the sidelines: “The things on the sidelines are fun – like the ones a few meters further up.” He also emphasized: “I’m incredibly grateful to have a role in football at all. What it is doesn’t really matter to me.”
Restart in Mönchengladbach
Those responsible at FCA also initially kept a low profile when it came to Wagner’s permanent successor. “We don’t rule out anything in life, not in football,” said sports director Benjamin Weber. “We deliberately didn’t set a date because we want to decide based on conviction.”
Ultimately, Baum, who had already coached the club between December 2016 and April 2019, was the most convinced. After the short winter preparation, his next term begins on January 11th with an away game at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Afterwards there are home games against Union Berlin and SC Freiburg.
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Source: BR24 December 23, 2025 – 4:26 p.m
