FC Augsburg’s head coach, Manuel Baum, recently shared insights about his decision to continue leading the Fuggerstädter, his tactical approach for the upcoming season, and the roles of various players in an interview with Kicker. The 46-year-old coach also highlighted several Augsburg players whom he believes should be on the radar of new Bundestrainer, Jürgen Klopp.
Last season, Baum led Augsburg to a commendable ninth-place finish, marking the club’s highest Bundesliga ranking since 2015. What started as a temporary assignment following Sandro Wagner‘s dismissal in December evolved into a permanent position.
Initially, Baum expressed that he wanted to enjoy his unexpected return to coaching in the Bundesliga, humorously referring to his role as “installing guardrails on the Autobahn” before eventually taking back his role as head of development and football innovation at Augsburg.
By late April, players like Anton Kade and Fabian Rieder were publicly supporting Baum for the permanent job, having helped the team steer clear of relegation. Baum subsequently signed a contract extension until 2028.
During his chat with Kicker at Augsburg’s Achensee training camp, Baum revealed that his decision to stay as head coach was only finalized the week after the season concluded. After thoughtful consideration, he concluded that continuity was essential.
He emphasized that reverting to his previous administrative role and appointing a new head coach could jeopardize the stability he established during his successful return to coaching. He remarked that sustainable football clubs need to maintain a consistent identity, regardless of coaching changes.
Baum on Club Culture and His Role
Baum’s dedication to club culture has been evident during his second tenure. When organized supporters protested the club’s controversial “image change” last December, Baum took the initiative to engage with the FanKurve, encouraging fans to give the team “ten percent more than their best”. A report from Get German Football News noted that only Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, and Stuttgart had as many or more points than Augsburg since Baum resumed coaching on Matchday 13.
He attributes Augsburg’s success to fostering a cohesive unit and a positive team environment, where players enjoyed their training and interactions. The coaching staff strives to provide each player with a clear purpose, adapting their tactics to fit the players instead of forcing them into a rigid system.
Baum’s Tactical Plans for the Season
One key tactical adjustment from last season is the permanent transition of Fabian Rieder to central midfield. Baum believes he has discovered Rieder’s optimal position, as the Swiss international shared that he had his best performances in that role.
Baum also confirmed that strikers Michael Gregoritsch and Rodrigo Ribeiro can effectively play together, despite their contrasting playing styles, which Baum finds beneficial. When Ribeiro joined on loan from Sporting CP in January, his role was not initially clear, especially with other forwards on the roster.
However, Baum provided Ribeiro with an unexpected Bundesliga start in February, which he justified by emphasizing the importance of allowing young players to shine when the situation is right. Ribeiro subsequently scored his first Bundesliga goal, which Baum attributed to both the young striker’s technical ability and the club’s excellent scouting.
Gregoritsch played a crucial role during the latter half of the season, with Baum defending him after the Austrian’s notable fair-play act against Hamburg in April. However, Baum is cautious about over-complicating tactics, insisting that players should have a clear primary and secondary position to avoid confusion.
For instance, Anton Kade initially identified as a wing-back, but the coaching staff saw potential for him further up the pitch, ultimately leading to him impacting the attack, including a memorable performance against Bayern when Gregoritsch was unavailable.
Dahmen, Kade, Kömür, Banks, and Schnitzer for Klopp?
In response to a question from Kicker regarding potential Augsburg players for new Bundestrainer Jürgen Klopp’s consideration, Baum quickly identified candidates like Finn Dahmen and Anton Kade.
He also mentioned Mert Kömür, Noahkai Banks, and academy prospect Tim Schnitzer as potential future candidates. Additionally, he highlighted new signing Hennes Behrens and discussed Robin Fellhauer‘s prospects as a potential wing-back for Germany.
Baum has been an advocate for Dahmen since last April, following a brilliant performance against Bayer Leverkusen, where he noted that a highlight reel of Dahmen’s saves could easily fill ten minutes, arguing that his consistent performances merit international recognition.
Banks offers an intriguing international story; the Augsburg academy defender made significant strides last season and noted his willingness to represent either the United States or Germany at the senior level. In February, Banks acknowledged the support he received from both Wagner and Baum in his development.
Hennes Behrens is expected to bring something new to the squad after Augsburg invested €3.5 million in him. Baum appreciates Behrens’s grounding and natural character, which aligns with the kind of personality they seek in the locker room. The coach is confident that fans will welcome a player willing to work hard on the flanks and contribute both assists and goals. Heidenheim’s coach even recommended Behrens when it was clear the club couldn’t hold onto him.
Manuel Baum Prepares for Schalke Reunion
The opening match of the season presents an intriguing challenge for Baum as Augsburg faces Schalke, the club he briefly managed from September to December 2020—a tenure marked by the disruptions of the pandemic.
Baum reminisced about a Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund where only 300 fans were allowed in attendance, preventing him from fully experiencing Schalke’s atmosphere. In contrast, his recent tenure at Augsburg has been filled with positive memories, including victories over Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, the latter ending a remarkable 27-match unbeaten streak for the latter. One amusing exchange during a press conference involved Baum explaining that his players could celebrate with a case of beer after that win.
More importantly, Augsburg transformed from relegation threats to secure a ninth-place finish. Now, the focus is on what Baum and his well-established squad can achieve in this upcoming season. When asked what would make him happy during a similar interview a year from now, Baum wittily responded that he would like to still be in his role as Augsburg’s head coach.