SC Freiburg’s 30 Year Success Story: From Bundesliga Promotion to European Competition Participation

It’s been 30 years since the team led by then coach Volker Finke achieved something that was previously unthinkable: promotion to the Bundesliga. And it really wasn’t easy – 24 teams were playing in the 2nd Bundesliga back then. Freiburg won 27 of a total of 46 games and became champions in the 2nd Bundesliga with 65 points and a goal difference of 102:57. At that time, the rule still applied that a win was worth two points. Together with MSV Duisburg (2nd place, 60 points) and VfB Leipzig (3rd place, 58 points), SC Freiburg made their way to the top tier. SV Waldhof Mannheim narrowly missed out on promotion in fourth place (55 points).

The Freiburg ascent year in pictures

SC Freiburg in 1993 – getting off the couch

On matchday 42, four matchdays before the end of the season, promotion was perfect. On May 14, 1993, the Freiburgers played 2-2 at Fortuna Köln and benefited from the fact that two days later both the pursuers Waldhof Mannheim (0-2 at Hertha BSC) and VfB Leipzig (3-4 against Chemnitz) lost their games. Thus, for the sports club from Freiburg, the first promotion in history to the Bundesliga was certain. The celebrations knew no bounds.

Freiburg’s continuity in the coaching position

A special feature of the people of Freiburg is how continuously they work. In the past 30 years, the sports club has employed only four different coaches. For comparison: At record champions FC Bayern Munich there were 17 at this time, at VfB Stuttgart 32.

Promotion coach Volker Finke was in office for 16 years – a record in German professional football. He accompanied the club in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga and was on the sidelines for 607 competitive games. Freiburg trusts its coaches even in difficult phases. His successor Robin Dutt worked in Breisgau for four years (2007 to 2011). He led the team from the 2nd Bundesliga to the Bundesliga in 2009 and held the class there twice. Dutt then moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Marcus Sorg followed Dutt, but he was unsuccessful and was released in 2011 as the bottom of the table. For the first time in Bundesliga history, the sports club fired its coach. Sorg’s previous assistant, Christian Streich, took over and is still the coach twelve years later. Remarkable: Freiburg continued to prank after relegation in 2014/15. The confidence paid off in the following season with promotion.

The SC Freiburg Bundesliga coaches in the picture gallery

Freiburg success story

Since the first promotion, the club has achieved a lot. Participation in European competitions was a particular highlight. As early as 1994/1995, in the second Bundesliga season, the Freiburg team qualified third for the UEFA Cup under Volker Finke. A great success, even if the team was knocked out in the first round. In 2001 she made it back to the UEFA Cup, finishing sixth. In the third round she lost to the eventual winner Feyenoord Rotterdam (2:3).

Under Christian Streich, the people of Breisgau played twice in the Europa League. 2013/14 was over after the group stage. Freiburg met FC Sevilla, Estoril Praia and Slovan Liberec. In the current season, the Freiburg made it to the round of 16, in which they were eliminated by the Italian top club Juventus Turin.

The development of SC Freiburg continues

Freiburg’s development continues. In addition to the strong Europa League season, the team reached the DFB Cup final last year and the semi-finals this year. In the league, the Breisgauers are currently in fifth place, which would mean participation in the Europa League again.

The past 30 years in the history of SC Freiburg have been marked by a few setbacks, but above all by many successes. Four promotions and relegations, three participations in the European Cup and a total of 23 seasons in the Bundesliga.