Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to record their first Bundesliga win of the season away at Mainz. The hosts sealed a five-star win in Hamburg last week as they currently sit in fifth place in the standings.
In contrast, Adi Hütter's Frankfurt conceded seven goals in the first two weeks of the season. Both teams won the home fixtures in last season's Rhine-Main derby meetups.
Mainz: Zentner; Posch, Gruber, Potulski; Caci, Sano, Mwene; Amiri ©, Lee; Becker, Tietz
Frankfurt: Atubolu; Maluze, Koch ©, Brassier; Baum, Doan, Onyedika, Kosugi; Aseko; Uzun, Burkardt

#first #last #hamburg

Two wins in the Bundesliga, one in the cup, one in the UEFA Champions League – BVB have recently celebrated four consecutive victories. In the Bundesliga table, the Black and Yellows sit in third place with the maximum return of six points. Speaking about the clash against Villarreal FC (3:2) in midweek, BVB coach Niko Kovac said: "Of course, you expend a lot physically, but also mentally. Now it's about getting the mental side back under control immediately in order to switch back to the Bundesliga." His team are the favorites against the newly promoted side: "We're playing at home and we want to win, that's our goal." But: "There are no easy games in the Bundesliga. You have to approach them in a way that means you're fully there right away. That's why I want my boys to step on the gas from the first minute and get our fans behind us again as quickly as possible so that we can play successful football."
Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini have returned to team training after their injuries and are available for the Paderborn match. "They are fit, healthy and ready to play this weekend. I can count on both of them," said Kovac. Konstantinos Karetsas will not be involved after having to be substituted in the game against Villarreal FC due to circulation problems. Read more now!
SC Paderborn have been promoted to the Bundesliga for the third time in the club's history. "A team with the ambition to stay in the league. We will certainly be facing a deep block from the opposition, who will want to hit on the counter," said Kovac. On matchday one, the team picked up a point away at FSV Mainz 05 (0:0) and then lost 1:0 at home to SC Freiburg. They currently sit 12th in the table. Despite 23 shots on goal, Paderborn have yet to score. Defensively, however, they have not allowed much either and have goalkeeper Nahuel Noll to thank, as he has conceded only one goal so far. Paderborn's Felix Götze (in the BVB youth setup until 2014) and Steffen Tigges (2019 to 2022) also wore the Black and Yellow shirt in the past.
BVB have never lost a competitive match against SC Paderborn: there have been two meetings in the DFB-Pokal, and on both occasions the Black and Yellows advanced to the next round. In the Bundesliga, Borussia have won two matches so far, while two others ended in draws. The last Bundesliga meeting at the end of May 2020 is especially memorable. In this ghost game in Paderborn played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, the Black and Yellows produced a poor first half but improved after the break. All seven goals in the 6:1 victory came in the second half. It was the highest-scoring half of the 2019/20 season. For BVB, Jadon Sancho (3), Thorgan Hazard, Achraf Hakimi and Marcel Schmelzer, with the last goal of his professional career, were on target.Christina Reinke
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

#yellows #goal #half

Hamburger SV head coach Merlin Polzin offered no excuses after his heavily rebuilt side suffered a horrendous 0-5 home defeat to Mainz 05 on Sunday afternoon.
Hamburg entered their first home Bundesliga fixture of the season looking to respond to their 2-0 opening-day defeat away at Borussia Dortmund. Instead, the afternoon developed into one of the club's worst top-flight home performances in decades.
Sunday's defeat also leaves Polzin's side without either a point or a goal after two league fixtures.
"The result speaks for itself," Polzin remarked in his opening press-conference statement. "It was a totally **** afternoon for us. It was a thoroughly deserved loss. There's no need to sugarcoat anything or attempt to explain anything so soon after the game when the emotions are still running high."
The scale of the defeat proved particularly striking given how aggressively Hamburg strengthened their squad during the closing stages of the summer transfer window. The club entered the season with several unresolved personnel questions, many of which were examined in GGFN's 2026/27 tactical preview of Hamburg.

#entered #season #anything

Merlin Polzin led his new-look Hamburg side out for their first home league fixture at the Volksparkstadion on Sunday afternoon, hosting a Mainz team with a familiar feel to them.
As Nicolai Remberg and Nadiem Amiri led their teams onto the pitch, Hamburg's Nordtribüne paid a touching tribute to the late Kevin Keegan with a wonderful choreo before kick-off. The Englishman, revered in the Hanseatic City after his exploits in the late 70s, sadly passed away in July.
Hamburg suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund on the opening day, and Polzin saw fit to make four changes to the starting XI that turned out in the Ruhrgebiet. A busy deadline day saw three new arrivals at the Volksparkstadion, with David Møller Wolfe and Zakaria El Ouahdi thrown straight in for their debuts; Fabio Vieira, meanwhile, began on the bench.
The visitors made two changes themselves to their starting XI that drew 0-0 at home to newly promoted Paderborn last weekend, with Kacper Potulski and Stefan Posch replacing Dominik Kohr and Danny Da Costa in defence.
Urs Fischer's side made the stronger start to the game, with a mistake from Jordan Torunarigha allowing Sheraldo Becker to force a good save from Daniel Heuer Fernandes within the first ten minutes. Moments later, Mainz worked a good opportunity from a corner for Amiri to strike at goal, though the German international sliced his effort wide.

#hamburg #amiri #home #away

Hamburger SV's lacklustre start to the new Bundesliga season continued this afternoon on home soil. In the Hanseatic sun, an FSV Mainz 05 side inspired by the brilliance of Sheraldo Becker and Phillip Tietz ran out comfortable winners on a 5-0 scoreline.
Similar to their opening day struggles in Dortmund, the hosts seemed to struggle as Mainz piled on the pressure. Sheraldo Becker stung the palms of Daniel Heuer Fernandes, before Nadiem Amiri fired wide on the end of a neat set-piece routine inside 15 minutes.
The warning signs were clear and HSV took no heed of it as an atmospheric Volksparkstadion fell momentarily silent. A misplaced pass from skipper Nicolai Remberg was picked off by Kaishu Sano. From there, he played in Becker who dispatched from a one-on-one scenario.
Aside from the occasional threat of Albert Grønbaek, HSV failed to even test debutante Alexander Schwolow before the break. Mainz swiftly led 2-0 when Nadiem Amiri pulled the strings in midfield for Becker to find **** e and deliver a routine tap-in for Philipp Mwene.
Half-time whistles from supporters forced Merlin Polzin's hand at the break. Torunarigha, Nadir and Adeline departed for Shafiq Nandja, Patson Daka and Fábio Vieira. The latter receiving a massive cheer since returning on a permanent basis from **** nal.

#nadiem #break #hamburger #bundesliga

All in all, Borussia Dortmund have played 59 Bundesliga season openers to date. Their record is slightly positive, with 24 wins, 13 draws and 22 defeats. What stands out in particular is the poor record from the early years: in their first nine Bundesliga seasons, BVB won only one opener. In more recent years, however, the Black and Yellows have developed into opening-day specialists: from 2015/16 to 2024/25, BVB won on ten consecutive opening matchdays.
Only in 2017/18 did the Black and Yellows have to play away from home on the opening matchday – winning 3-0 at VfL Wolfsburg. The other nine opening wins all came at their own stadium.
2015/16: 4-0 against Borussia Mönchengladbach
2016/17: 2-1 against 1. FSV Mainz 05
2017/18: 3-0 at VfL Wolfsburg

#yellows #wolfsburg #only

Paderborn return to the German top-flight this season following their promotion play-off victory over Wolfsburg. The club return to the Bundesliga for the first time since relegation following the 2019/20 season, having finished 18th.
Paderborn previously had two spells in the Bundesliga, in 2014/15 and 2019/20, being relegated both times after just one season.
Survival will be their main goal, but just how likely is that?
They will face Mainz in their opener at the MEWA Arena on Saturday, August 29.
Paderborn had a reasonably impressive preseason. After thrashing the amateur Blau-Weiß Ostenland 18-0, they went on to get some decent results, losing only one match (2-0 against Magdeburg).

#bundesliga

After a disastrous start under Bo Henriksen saw Mainz languishing in the bottom two heading into December, relegation looked a real possibility for the club despite securing European football just a season earlier.
With the club's hierarchy unable to hold out any longer, they pulled the trigger on the Dane before appointing Urs Fischer as their new head coach in December.
After a steady but unspectacular end to 2025 in his first few games in charge, the 05ers never looked back in 2026, losing just two of their opening 12 league games of the calendar year. Mainz eventually secured a comfortable 10th-place finish, putting any relegation fears to bed, while also reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
The club will now look to take the next step under Fischer. With a full pre-season under his belt, those around the club will undoubtedly be looking forward to seeing what the new campaign can bring.
Mainz enjoyed an impressive and unbeaten pre-season campaign, winning seven of their eight fixtures while drawing the other.

#season #fischer #league #looked

It already feels like quite some time ago, and yet it also still feels like it was only just a few weeks ago that Germany yet again floundered out of the World Cup far earlier than they should have. In Foxborough, Massachusetts, they fell to Paraguay in a penalty shootout after failing to get the job done in 90 minutes, but the writing was on the wall as they collectively failed to hit their heights throughout the entire tournament — starting off the group stages with a 7-1 trouncing of Curaçao in Houston, Texas probably didn't do wonders for keeping them on their toes.
Too many players underperformed, mid-match management calls and tactical changes might not have been right, but what's done is done and Germany can now ride a wave of anticipation and excitement into Jürgen Klopp's reign as Die Mannschaft manager, as the former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz man took over for Julian Nagelsmann. The DFB more or less strongly urged Nagelsmann to resign after the World Cup, but was he really to blame for everything that went wrong for Germany, or was he just the easiest scapegoat to point at? For former/honorary Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeneß, the problems with the team extended well beyond Nagelsmann.
"I think our team's performance was an absolute disaster. It was a disgrace for our country. But there are various reasons for that. Enough has already been said about Julian Nagelsmann. I don't think he is solely to blame. We don't have a team of outstanding quality, but you can still have a good World Cup. Argentina proved that. They don't have a good team, but they threw everything into it like crazy. That's what I felt was missing from our team," Hoeneß recently stressed to RTL / Sky Germany (via iMiaSanMia).
Of course, Argentina made it to the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey where they lost to Spain, but a great portion of their campaign was a massive topic of discussions for the way in which they were given a plethora of favorable calls in different matches and getting away with blatant, persistent fouling.
That's not to say that the Argentine squad doesn't possess the grit, fight, and tenacity within the laws of the game that routinely gets them to the latter stages of World Cups, but there certainly questions raised; why didn't Lionel Messi get a red vs. Saudi Arabia, why was Egypt's 3rd goal disallowed, why didn't anyone get booked early on vs. England? All legitimate questions asked, but for Hoeneß, he doesn't see that type of fight from Germany that Argentina almost always displays.

#germany #hoene

German striker Danny Schmidt is relishing the "big challenge" of playing outside his homeland for the first time after joining St Johnstone.
Schmidt, who was released by Fortuna Dusseldorf this summer, has signed a two-year deal in Perth.
The 23-year-old, 6ft 2in forward came through the ranks at Mainz before joining Fortuna two years ago, going on score five goals in 39 appearances for the club who were relegated from the second tier last season. He also had a loan spell at RW Essen.
"Everyone has welcomed me so nicely," said Schmidt. "It is a family club and I already feel really good here.
"This is a big challenge for me and it is my first time out of Germany. Of course, it is the top league in Scotland and everything is new to me. But I am so excited for what can happen.

#schmidt #fortuna #first #danny

Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano has been linked with a number of clubs outside Germany after impressing at the World Cup, with Liverpool, Newcastle United and AC Milan among those reportedly showing interest.
However, according to ******* anese outlet Sponichi, RB Leipzig have now emerged as the frontrunners to sign the 25-year-old.
A price tag of €50-60 million has been mentioned for Sano, whose contract with Mainz runs until 2028.
RB Leipzig recently sold Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for €125 million plus bonuses and could choose to reinvest some of that money in the defensive midfielder.
Mainz signed Sano from Kashima Antlers for a reported €2.5 million fee two years ago.

#million #leipzig #germany #newcastle

SC Freiburg and Mainz 05 recorded wins over French teams in friendlies played on Saturday. The Europa League finalists extended Strasbourg's poor pre-season with two 2-0 victories, while Mainz stunningly beat Paris FC 4-0.
The first game between Freiburg and Strasbourg was played with two 35-minute halves. Youngster Rouven Tarnutzer and evergreen winger Vincenzo Grifo scored the goals inside the first 20 minutes.
Lucas Höler scored both goals for Freiburg with headers as they later repeated that scoreline when the two clubs played 90 minutes with different lineups. Including another heavy defeat to Bundesliga debutants Elversberg, Strasbourg are yet to score a goal in preseason.
Meanwhile, Mainz thrashed Paris FC 4-0 at Bruchwegstadion on Saturday. Peruvian center-back Fabio Gruber opened the scoring for his new club in the 20th minute. Phillip Tietz doubled their lead before the break.
Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and Kacper Potulski added more goals in the last ten minutes. The former HSV striker is in very good form during Mainz's pre-season.

#goals

Less than 24 hours after the sensational failure of the Fisnik Asllani transfer, Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig had more bad news to report. **** an Ouédraogo has suffered yet another injury setback and now risks missing the beginning of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Leipzig confirmed on Saturday that the 20-year-old sustained a capsule injury in his right shoulder during the club's summer training camp in Saalfelden, Austria.
There is at least some positive news. Following detailed examinations, RB have elected to treat the injury conservatively and Ouédraogo will not require surgery. The German international is nevertheless expected to remain sidelined for "a few weeks". The timeframe still places his availability for the beginning of new head coach Martin Demichelis' first competitive campaign in doubt.
Leipzig travel to Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 22 before opening their Bundesliga season against Borussia Mönchengladbach one week later. For Ouédraogo, the latest setback represents another frustrating interruption to a career that has repeatedly gathered spectacular momentum only for injuries to intervene.
The former Schalke academy talent endured an injury-plagued first season after joining Leipzig in 2024, missing substantial time with knee and complicated thigh problems. Even his place in Leipzig's plans appeared uncertain entering last season. Ouédraogo nevertheless quickly changed the conversation. After establishing himself under then-head coach Ole Werner, the midfielder earned his first Germany U21 call-up in October. Get German Football News documented Ouédraogo's rapid progression from an uncertain Leipzig squad role to German youth international.
The Mülheim native subsequently forced his way into Werner's starting XI and developed into one of Leipzig's most exciting players. His performances eventually earned him an unexpected promotion to Julian Nagelsmann's senior German national team. Following an injury to Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri, Ouédraogo received his first senior Germany call-up in November.

#injury #first #season #following

Mainz 05, in something of a reversal of the operating plan earlier this summer, are working to bring Austrian international Stefan Posch back to the Bundesliga on a permanent basis. Sky Germany reports that the Rheinhessen club have opened negotiations with Serie A side Como 1907 following the conclusion of Posch's successful six-month loan. Mainz are reportedly prepared to stretch their financial limits to secure the 29-year-old defender.
Mainz were recently buoyed by the fact that Nadiem Amiri opted to remain with the club through the entirety of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Signing Posch would constitute another major coup. Thanks to the fact that the club's front office has been largely frugal on the summer transfer market, the Palatinate club is currently operating with an estimated €5.2m transfer surplus.
Mainz first explored a move for Posch during the winter transfer window after he struggled for regular playing time in Italy. The final transaction ultimately required cooperation between three clubs. Como activated an obligation to purchase Posch from Bologna for approximately €5.5m before immediately loaning the defender to Mainz for the remainder of the campaign.
Mainz did not secure a purchase option. The Bundesliga club reportedly paid a loan fee of approximately €200,000, leaving M05 sporting CEO Christian Heidel and his colleagues needing to negotiate an entirely new agreement this summer.
Posch nevertheless made an immediate impact. He started against Wolfsburg only two days after his arrival and delivered a composed performance in a crucial victory, as noted in Get German Football News' Mainz January transfer check.

#posch #bundesliga #transfer

In Mainz, he has found his top form again, has become the team's absolute backbone, and was even rewarded for his performances with a nomination for the recent World Cup.
So it's no surprise that transfer rumors surrounding Nadiem Amiri surfaced faster than you can say "05."
Now there is clarity about the attacker's future: on Saturday evening, Amiri announced that he will stay at Mainz 05.
During the fan evening in Kirchbichl, where Mainz are currently holding their training camp, he declared: "A lot has been written in recent weeks and days. There were many rumors, and I also had a lot of offers. But together with my family, I decided to stay here." This was reported, among others, by 'Kicker'.
For his decision, he was rewarded with loud applause from the fans in attendance.

#World

Nadiem Amiri has now ended speculation surrounding his future by confirming that he will remain with Mainz 05 for the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. The 29-year-old recently picked up some media attention, not to mention some flak from club supporters, for refusing to commit to fully commit to the Rheinhessen ahead of the forthcoming Bundesliga season.
The 29-year-old German international made the announcement on Saturday evening during a meeting with supporters at Mainz's Austrian training camp in Kirchbichl. Amiri laid to rest all reports that he was considering a move to RB Leipzig.
"I did have a lot of offers, but my family and I decided that I would definitely stay here," Amiri said to thunderous applause from the ******* embled Mainz supporters.
Amiri remains under contract with Mainz through the summer of 2028. The midfielder has developed into one of the club's most important players and established himself as a senior German international since arriving from Leverkusen in January 2024.
His decision represents a significant boost for head coach Urs Fischer ahead of the new season. Mainz will retain a central creative figure, experienced leader and one of the most productive midfielders in the squad.

#amiri #bundesliga #international

Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in adding Kaishu Sano to their squad after closely following the Mainz 05 defensive midfielder over the last few months.
The ****** an international has established himself as one of the finest players in his position in the Bundesliga and has continued to impress with his performances for Mainz. His consistent displays have attracted interest from several clubs looking to strengthen their midfield options.
Sano is a tough-tackling, ball-playing midfielder who would suit the system Mikel Arteta currently employs at ****** nal. The Gunners believe his qualities could strengthen their midfield and provide another reliable option for the squad.
Liverpool are another club reported to be interested in signing the midfielder as they look to improve their own squad. However, it remains to be seen whether Mainz 05 will be willing to part with one of their key players before the transfer window closes.
According to Bulinews, Mainz 05 sporting director Christian Heidel has addressed Sano's future as the club prepares for the new season, with interest in the midfielder continuing to grow.

#mainz #arsenal

Mainz 05 and German national team midfielder Nadiem Amiri has declined to guarantee that he will remain with the club beyond the summer transfer window, insisting that he does not wish to make a promise he may later be unable to keep. The 29-year-old addressed his future during Mainz's training camp in Hopfgarten, Austria, amid continued speculation surrounding a potential move to RB Leipzig.
Asked whether he would play for Mainz during the 2026/27 campaign, Amiri directly dismissed the links in a rather glib and formulaic fashion. As quoted by Kicker, however, Amiri effectively admitted that he would be moving on once the right opportunity arises.
"Right now, Mainz 05 is the only thing on my mind and everything else is unimportant," Amiri said. "Things can always change. That's why I didn't commit to Mainz at the end of last season either. I don't want to disappoint the fans. I'm not the type to say, 'I'm staying here' and then be gone three weeks later."
Recent reports suggested that Amiri remained keen on joining RB Leipzig and had reached a basic agreement with the Saxon club. Kicker now reports that Leipzig have not submitted an offer, while Amiri himself sought to play down the speculation entirely.
"They're not even an issue," the former Leverkusen midfielder said. "Someone had an idea, but neither Mainz, Leipzig, nor I have said anything about it. Why should we even address it now?"

#right

Kaishu Sano has been linked with a move away from Mainz 05, with Liverpool and ****** nal among the clubs reportedly monitoring the 25-year-old defensive midfielder.
Speaking to Bild, Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel gave his thoughts on the growing interest in the ****** anese international.
"We don't have to sell Kaishu and can afford to keep him. If he stays, there will be a lot of happy people in the team, at the club, and around it," Heidel said.
However, he admitted that Mainz would have to consider a sale if an offer that was too good to refuse arrived.
"It's always the same at Mainz 05. If an offer comes in that leaves us gasping for air, we have to think about it," Heidel said.

#kaishu

Speaking in front of the media for the first time since officially being announced as Germany’s new head coach, Jürgen Klopp has set boundaries with the media and the DFB.
DFB President, Bernd Neuendorf, kicked off the press conference by stating what had occurred to get here and how pleased they are to have the former Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool man on board:
“We’ve had very intensive talks in recent weeks. He was our preferred solution from the beginning; we were all in agreement on that within the ******* ociation. We made every effort to bring Jürgen Klopp on board. He is the best solution.”
Neuendorf also confirmed that Klopp’s staff will include Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders, and Sven Bender. Per Mertesacker will also replace the outgoing Andreas Rettig as DFB Managing Director at the end of 2026.
Before setting out his stall, Klopp firstly took time to reflect on the previous weeks and securing the role:

#neuendorf #solution

Good Vibes in the Kitzbühel Alps: Head coach Markus Högner painted a positive picture of the BVB Women following their week-long training camp: “The conditions here are excellent. We’ve developed a playbook and are working on our principles both offensively and defensively.” On the well-maintained training fields in Austria, Markus Högner noted the team’s exceptional dedication, and he added that they were also having plenty of fun during recreational activities—which are especially important for integrating the seven new signings.
After just two training sessions, the BVB Women kicked off their summer preparations with a 5–2 friendly win against Eintracht Frankfurt II. Three new signings—Lara Schmidt, Ramona Maier, and Jacqueline Meißner—all scored in their first appearance for the Black and Yellows. Ahead of the friendly against Bundesliga promoted side Mainz 05, the head coach explained: “During the first week of training, there was still too much initial frantic activity in some situations. We’re improving from session to session and are looking forward to a hard-fought test against the Mainz women.”
A perfect start for the Black and Yellows: Markus Högner’s team came out determined and started energetically at the Hopfgarten sports field. The early stages were dominated by a confident BVB Women team, which was awarded its second corner kick as early as the seventh minute. After a set piece taken by Rita Schumacher, the ball found its way to Alex Popp, who clinically headed home her first chance of the game to give BVB a 1-0 lead (7th minute)—her debut goal for the Black and Yellows! Just three minutes later, the BVB Women were awarded a penalty kick. Rita Schumacher, last season’s top scorer, stepped up and slotted the ball into the right corner to make it 2–0 (10th minute).
There was no sign of the pace slowing down: The early one-two punch served as a wake-up call for the Mainz women, who pulled one back in the 21st minute after a long ball found striker Fetaj’s head. And the action continued in quick succession. On one end, goal-scorer Alex Popp was in exactly the right spot on a set piece, but her second header hit only the crossbar. In the immediate counterattack, Mainz 05 shifted gears and tied the game at 2–2 (28th minute) through Leonie Stöhr, who tapped in a cross from two meters out.
In the back-and-forth offensive exchange between the two teams, the BVB Women found another answer. Sixty seconds after the equalizer: Ramona Maier finished off a pinpoint through ball from Noreen Günnewig with a one-touch finish into the left corner to regain the lead—3–2 in the 29th minute. For Maier, who joined BVB from SGS Essen this summer, it was already her second goal in her second game for the BVB Women.

#minute #ball

Former Germany international Lewis Holtby has announced the end of his career on Tuesday. The 35-year-old last played for Eredivisie side NAC Breda, where he regularly featured after his last Bundesliga experience with Holstein Kiel.
The central midfielder previously played for Schalke, Bochum, Mainz and Hamburg in Germany's top-flight league. He also appeared in over 100 2. Bundesliga games with three clubs.
A Fritz Walter gold medalist at the U19 age group in 2009, Holtby also played for English clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. After making his Bundesliga breakthrough with Thomas Tuchel's Mainz in the 2010/11 season, he won his only trophy when Schalke beat fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund in the 2012 German Supercup.
Holtby scored 26 goals in 225 Bundesliga games. The Erkelenz native played three times for the Germany national team, with his only competitive appearance coming as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan during the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
"It's time to say goodbye. After almost 20 years as a pro, my active career ends today. I leave the pitch with pride, humility, and endless gratitude. But one thing is certain: I will never turn my back on soccer. This game will always be a part of me, and I'm looking forward to what's next." Holtby wrote on Instagram.

#mainz #Career #games

After Liverpool were linked with a move for Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano by **** anese outlet Nikkan Sports towards the end of last month, Sport Bild are now also reporting on the interest.
An article in Wednesday's edition of the German magazine states that Sano is expected to leave Mainz this summer and that Liverpool are willing to pay €60 million for the defensive midfielder.
Such a deal would make Sano by far the most expensive departure in Mainz's history, with the current record held by Brajan Gruda, who was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for €31.5 million in 2024.
Sano's market value was estimated at €40 million by Transfermarkt in May and has since risen further following his impressive performances for **** an at the World Cup.
Mainz paid just €2.5 million to sign the midfielder from Kashima Antlers in 2024.

It is getting closer and closer.
Jürgen Klopp is getting set to become the new manager of the German national team, taking over after Julian Nagelsmann's resignation following the frustrating exit from the World Cup in the Round of 32 at the hands of Paraguay.
The newscycle has moved rather quickly while the former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager has been finishing his punditry work for MagentaTV, but it is become rather clear that the DFB wants Klopp and Klopp is ready and willing to take the job.
Klopp meet with DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice president Hans-Joachim Watzke along with his agent in New York to discuss details of the proposed agreement between the DFB and Klopp. It is sounding like the contract will run through the 2030 World Cup and Klopp's exit from his current role as head of football for Red Bull GmbH just needs to get sorted for the deal to be finalized.
As Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported, the DFB have confirmed the news that he originally broke describing the details of the meeting in New York and what's to come next week in the process.

It is pretty much a certainty and written in the stars at this point that Jürgen Klopp is going to become the next manager of the German national team after Julian Nagelsmann resigned, but it's not a done deal just quite yet. The bitterness of Die Mannschaft underperforming and not meeting expectations at a third consecutive World Cup has been slightly alleviated with the news that Klopp is set to be given the job by the DFB with pretty much all the power he wants as a new era comes about for Germany. His release clause in his Red Bull contract as head of global football is specifically designed around leaving for the national team job, but there's still details that need to be worked out and fine-tuned.
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke recently stressed the fact that the deal is not yet fully done for Klopp to put pen to paper to replace Nagelsmann. "This is not a done deal yet. There are still hurdles to overcome. Especially considering that he has a contract at RB. I'm a bit more skeptical than others. I'm convinced the chances are higher than 50%, but that doesn't mean it's 100%. Jürgen is our plan A and we want to implement our plan A. There are problems to be solved," Watzke told ZDF (transcribed via iMiaSanMia)
Optically, from the outside looking in, the writing is on the wall. Klopp has maintained that there were really only two jobs that would interest him enough to step away from his roll at Red Bull to step back into management — Germany or Real Madrid. In the same vein, he's said that he would not want to go back to England to manage any other team besides Liverpool and he's routinely thrown cold water on rumors linking him with the Bayern Munich job due to his Dortmund legacy, though that same sort of sentiment didn't exactly apply when he took a role that has indirect oversight on RB Leipzig, one of Germany's most disliked clubs.
"Jürgen's willingness to solve these problems is a significant help. Of course, we have our [financial] limits. We expect, or rather I expect, a slight 'patriotism discount' from Jürgen in particular. I know that he loves Germany," Watzke continued. Not everything is black and white to the point were everyone in Germany loves Klopp, has faith in him and the job is open with his willingness to take over — it's not exactly as simple as that. The former Liverpool, Dortmund and Mainz manager has also maintained that he plans on bringing both Peter Krawietz and Zsolt Löw with him to be a part of his coaching staff at Germany — that's a lot of contractual and financial work involved to get done.
Nonetheless, Germany is waiting for the moment, the moment the "heavy metal" brand of football man makes it official and takes the hot seat to try to get Germany back where it belongs, perched on top of the footballing pedestal it sat upon in Brazil some eight years ago.

Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub (LASK) have confirmed six new members of their squad in preparation for the new ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga season.
LASK will be looking to build on a challenging 2025/26 season that saw them finish seventh in the table. Head coach Markus Eitl took charge of the club in January 2025 and will now look to put his own stamp on the squad. The former Vorwärts Steyr coach has now brought in six players in one large transfer announcement as part of his preparations.
Despite the obvious disappointments attached to finishing seventh, it was an improvement on the clubs ninth-placed finish in 2024/25. The club will no doubt expect a return on their investments in Eitl’s acquisitions.
There is a varying level of experience within the new group. The biggest coup is arguably Tea Kržnarić from ousted champions SKN St. Pölten. The Croatian left-sided midfielder has Champions League experience and won the Bundesliga in 2024/25. Kržnarić also previously represented LASK after joining from ŽNK Hajduk in 2022.
22-year-old Miriam Sterrer also joins the club from German club 1. FSV Mainz 05. The Austrian native has previously spent 6 seasons in the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga with FC Blau-Weiß Linz . Austrian youth international Dayna Sunshine Tuppinger has also joined the Linz based club after suffering a ligament tear in 2025 and will be looking to get her promising career back on track.

Last week Liverpool were mentioned as one of the suitors in the race for FIFA World Cup breakout star Kaishu Sano.
The 25-year-old workhorse was devastatingly effective in the ****** an midfield - scoring a brilliant goal in the Samurai Blue's round of 32 defeat at the hands of Brazil.
Sano returns to his club - Mainz of the Bundesliga - as a man in demand with teams across Germany and the Premier League now queuing up for his signature.
That's according to a new report in Fussball Daten - which claims Manchester United, ****** nal and Borussia Dortmund are all in the race to sign the £50m-rated No6.
Liverpool are frontrunners to land Sano however - with reports of talks having already been opened between the club and the midfielder's entourage.

Liverpool may have been handed a clear opening in the race for Kaishu Sano, with Mainz effectively confirming that the right bid would put the midfielder on the market. According to Sport Witness, the Bundesliga club are willing to listen, even if they are in no rush to sell.
This is how modern transfers work. Selling clubs talk tough, point to long contracts, mention market value and insist there is no pressure. Then they leave the door open. Mainz have done exactly that with Sano, a player whose reputation has risen sharply after an outstanding World Cup with ******* an.
The 25-year-old has been mentioned as a Liverpool target at a time when midfield uncertainty is driving the conversation. Alexis Mac Allister continues to attract attention, Curtis Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and Andoni Iraola is still shaping what this Liverpool side should look like after taking over this summer.
Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert did not dance around the situation. He said: “It’s obvious that a player who has played two years in the Bundesliga and was outstanding at the World Cup, probably the best player in his position, is in demand.” That is not a come-and-get-him plea, but it is an acknowledgement that interest is real.
He added: “There’s no doubt there are interested parties. It’s well known that England is the league where outstanding players usually move.” Again, no ambiguity there. Liverpool will hear that and recognise a club preparing the ground for negotiations.

Benjamin Weber had worked under Thomas Tuchel for 13 years before leaving for pastures new and now Augsburg sporting director, the 40-year-old backs his former boss to succeed with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I believe not only because of the players but also because of Thomas, that they can win the World Cup,” Weber told Get German Football News.
“They have several opponents that can hurt them but they are one of the favourites.”
Weber worked under Tuchel at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2022, before his departure.
Praising his former boss, Weber told us: “To summarise Thomas in one word, it is adaptation, because he’s a genius in the sense of being able to adapt in every moment in a game. He comes into a club and thinks about the players we have, saying we can do this, or that, and then he will be successful and over the season’s he’s won, so he’s right to do that.”

Jürgen Klopp could soon address his **** embled peers in Mainz as the new Germany coach if the 59-year-old reaches agreement with the German Football Federation (DFB) and keeps a previous commitment.
The 59-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool boss is scheduled to deliver the opening speech at an international coaching congress from July 27 to 29, the **** ociation of German Football Coaches said.
The **** ociation expects around 1,400 female and male coaches from the professional and amateur game to attend.
Asked by dpa, a spokeswoman said the **** ociation still **** umed Klopp would come.
After Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany's men's coach after the early World Cup exit, the DFB on Friday said Klopp is keen to take over and talks will take place.