2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: Greuther Fürth
There is always the potential danger of struggling to establish yourself after succumbing to relegation the previous season. As we saw with Arminia Bielefeld, who were the ultimate extreme of cases. Greuther Fürth early last season was on their way to joining Bielefeld in the 3. Liga, but fortune favoured the intelligent with a swift coaching change from Marc Schneider to Alexander Zorniger saved the Bavarian clubs' blushes.
The usual suspects in Branimir Hrgota, Julian Green as well as loan players including Marco John and Ragnar Ache gave many the hope that Fürth under Zorniger could strike the necessary balance of experience and exuberant youth.
But is the current squad good enough to break out of mid-table mediocrity?
The up-coming one isn’t make or break like other teams this season, however, Fürth must show levels of improvement to justify the direction the club is heading towards.
Let’s see how Greuther Fürth shapes up this season.
Team Details
Stadion (Capacity): Sportpark Ronhof (16,626)
Kit manufacturer: Puma
Nicknames: Kleeblätter (Cloverleaves)
Coach: Alexander Zorniger
Captain: Branimir Hrgota
Signings & Departures
Signings: Kerim Calhanoglu (FC Schalke 04), Tim Lemperle (1. FC Köln, loan), Lukas Petkov (FC Augsburg, loan), Dennis Srbeny (SC Paderborn 07), Robert Wagner (SC Freiburg, loan), Jomaine Consbruch (Arminia Bielefeld), Jonas Urbig (1. FC Köln, loan), Orestis Kiomourtzoglou (Hearts), Jeremy Dudziak (Hatayspor, loan return)
Departures: Afimico Pululu (Jagiellonia Biakystok), Ragnar Ache (Eintracht Frankfurt, end of loan), Sebastian Griesbeck (Eintracht Braunschweig), Marco John (TSG Hoffenheim, end of loan), Robin Kehr (retired), Lukas Petkov (FC Augsburg, end of loan), Nico Grimbs (Floridsdorfer AC), Tobias Raschl (1. FC Kaiserslautern), Max Christiansen (Hannover 96), Jeremy Dudziak (Hertha BSC)
Fürth have perhaps acknowledged this transfer window at least, the squad needs an injection of exciting young players who seek opportunity and the loan market has been the point of calling for Rachid Azzouzi. Lukas Petkov returns on loan from Augsburg after spending the rückrunde with Fürth, he showed flashes and now has the opportunity to put together a complete season.
Tim Lemperle and Robert Wagner are both exciting prospects coming from Köln and Freiburg respectively, both were highly sought after during this window, and it’s a compliment to the vision sold to bring a pair of German youth internationals to Furth.
One signing that intrigues me the most is the loan move for Jonas Urbig. The shot stopper applied his trade with Jahn Regensburg for the second half of last season and produced a bunch of outrageously good performances. He was supposed to spend a full season until that loan was cancelled once Regensburg went down. With the already established Andreas Lindé in goal, it’s quite fascinating that Fürth would bring in a young upstart onboard to keep the established net-minder on his toes.
With the excitement of the young brigade coming in, Fürth have lost significant players, in particular in midfield. Max Christiansen joined former Fürth Stefan Leitl in Hannover whilst Tobias Raschl who had his good moments last season moved to Kaiserslautern. Sebastian Griesbeck failed to establish himself under Zorniger, he’s heading north to Braunschweig.
Fürth’s window at the time of writing this is exciting, but can this translate into a squad mix that is far more competitive than last season's edition.
Potential setup
Under Zorniger, Fürth showed ambition, intensity and tenacity that was lacking before his arrival. These qualities perfectly encapsulate the manager affectionately known as “angry”. The system that worked the best for Fürth was the 5-3-2, with wing-backs having the licence to press intently and final third that is flexible on and off the ball.
The big question mark I have heading into the first game against Paderborn is in goal. Andreas Linde has been the number one option for the last 18-months, but a tear in his joint capsule could mean he misses the start of the season. We’ve Urbig who impressed down the road in Regensburg and is someone highly regarded amongst the league. Leon Scharffren played several games last season and showed glimpses, but isn’t read to be a number in the 2. Bundesliga yet. I can envision Urbig starting in goal.
With the loan return to Hoffenheim for John, Kerim Çalhanoglu joins from Schalke as he looks to establish himself as a top-quality left-back/wing-back option under Zorniger. I thought he was impressive in Sandhausen during the rückrunde and looks to be a good system fit.
With the departure of Christiansen as mentioned in the transfer window breakdown, Consbruch is the best option at the moment to partner Green in the heart of midfield. Consbruch is a versatile box-to-box archetype who certainly showed his offensive quality in Bielefeld’s relegation season.
Up top, Petkov, Hrgota and Srbeny make the trio most likely to start with starlet Lemperle pushing for an opportunity to start this season. Srbeny has a point to prove after a significantly disappointing season in Paderborn. Petkov should develop after spending the rückrunde in Fürth, whilst Hrgota is the heart and soul of what makes this team tick.
Fan Perspective
Will Fürth’s exciting mix translate into the results Zorniger and co desires. To find out, I asked Greuther Fürth journalist for the Nürnberger Nachrichten Michael Fischer to give us the lowdown of Fürth’s prospects for this season.
MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
MF: The first goal will be to form a new team. Contrary to what was planned, a lot of transfers were made in the summer and many new hopefuls were signed. After that, the goal must be to play a carefree season - without having to think about relegation until the end. Coach Zorniger is very ambitious - so he will also look up.
MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?
MF: There are a few ones. Robert Wagner, Tim Lemperle and Dennis Srbeny.
MK: Who is one player from Greuther Fürth fans of the league should keep an eye on?
MF: I would say: the new offensive double Branimir Hrgota and Dennis Srbeny.
MK: Fans should go to the Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer this season because?
MF: The shamrock was already a force under Zorniger last season. If this continues, if the team delivers such exciting performances again, it will be a lot of fun to come to the Ronhof again.
MK: Where do you think Greuther Fürth will finish this season?
MF: Difficult to say. In the past four weeks of pre season, there has been a lot of light and shadow . Offensively, the team has developed very well, also because of the many newcomers, and actually always scores at least one goal, but defensively the kleeblatt is not very safe and has recently conceded nine goals in three friendlies - against Gornik Zabrze, FC Zürich and fourth league team Ansbach (from Franconia).
Predictions
It’s an optimistic outlook for Fürth heading into the new season. A system of play that’s identifiable, a good mix of experience and youth, and a roadmap towards making a tilt towards stability. Something that couldn’t be said this time last season.
Hrgota has been the driving force with Fürth for quite some time, and for Zorniger’s side to be successful more need to be pulling the sled forward. At their best, Fürth could be a top six team, but not good enough to challenge the promotion spaces. Worst case scenario for Fürth is they spend most of the season fighting relegation which would force significant change higher up.
The best and worst of Fürth is far apart, let’s see if they can reduce the gap and construct stronger results that this squad is capable of producing.