Augsburg will Manuel Baum lead them to new heights?

Augsburg finished ninth in 2025/26 and now look to build on that under manager Manuel Baum. Pre‑season saw a 5‑0 win over Schwaben XI, a 1‑1 draw with Saarbrücken and a 5‑2 defeat by Bournemouth among other results.

The campaign opens with three challenging fixtures: a home game against Schalke, an away clash with Eintracht Frankfurt and another home tie versus Bayer Leverkusen. These opponents test the side early and will shape Augsburg’s early league momentum.

Sandro Wagner’s brief tenure

Sandro Wagner was appointed head coach last summer, raising hopes for an exciting 2025/26 season. He left the club by mutual consent in early December after an underwhelming start.

Manuel Baum arrived shortly after and immediately revitalised Die Fuggerstädter’s campaign. Initially appointed on an interim basis until the end of December, he remained beyond the new year. Baum guided the club from fourteenth place, just three points above the relegation zone, to a top‑half finish.

Michael Gregoritsch and Anton Kade star as Augsburg sweep aside Schalke

He previously enjoyed a three‑year spell in charge of Augsburg. That period ran from 2016 to 2019.

Pre‑season performance highlights

Augsburg’s pre‑season record includes a 5‑0 victory over Schwaben XI, a 1‑1 stalemate with Saarbrücken and a 5‑2 loss to Bournemouth. They also recorded a 15‑0 thrashing of Schwaz, a 3‑2 win over Sassuolo and a 4‑0 defeat by Leeds United.

What to expect this season is a side that can sustain the momentum built by Baum’s leadership. The blend of solid pre‑season performances and a stable managerial environment should help Augsburg aim higher than ninth.

If the team can translate early promise into league points, Augsburg may continue to flourish under Baum. Fans will be watching closely as the Fuggerstädter embark on their 2026/27 campaign.