For many of the second division coaches, 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV are the biggest favorites for promotion. This was the result of a survey by sportschau.de.
We asked the 18 coaches who they thought would be promoted to the Bundesliga at the end of the season. 14 clubs responded to the editorial team’s query.
However, Daniel Thioune from Fortuna Düsseldorf, Steffen Baumgart from Hamburger SV, Christian Titz from 1. FC Magdeburg and Torsten Lieberknecht from SV Darmstadt 98 did not want to take part in the survey.
Hamburg, Cologne, Fortuna, Hertha and Hanover
The majority of the other coaches see 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV ahead. Both were explicitly mentioned eight times each. In the eyes of the football coaches, Hertha BSC and Fortuna Düsseldorf, which narrowly failed to win the relegation round against VfL Bochum last season, also have a good chance. The coaches cast their votes for both clubs five times each, and Hannover 96 was mentioned four times.
Eichner: “Enough quality to be at the top”
“Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hanover – the sports show doesn’t have enough space to explain the reasons for every club,” says Christian Eichner from Karlsruher SC: “The teams that are relegated are always among the favorites, even if they have struggled in recent years. All of the teams I mentioned have enough quality to be at the top. If I had to choose, it would be Hamburg and Cologne.” Lukas Kwasniok from SC Paderborn also has exactly these five clubs on his list.
Relegated Darmstadt probably not favourite
Stefan Leitl, the coach of Hannover 96, is modest enough not to see his team at the very top. “Cologne, Hertha and HSV are well ahead of the others in terms of squad and opportunities. But behind them are five or six teams that are also at a good second division level,” he says diplomatically.
What is striking about the survey is that none of the coaches believe that SV Darmstadt 98 will be promoted straight back to the top.
Paderborn considered an insider tip
And then there are the outsiders and surprise teams. Preußen Münster’s coach Sascha Hildmann also believes that SC Paderborn can play a very good role in the 2nd Bundesliga. Just like Alex Zorniger from SpVgg Greuther Fürth: “Paderborn is an insider tip for me because they currently have an enormous range in their squad,” he says, but sees “seven or eight other teams” in the fight for promotion.
Geraerts: “Anyone can beat anyone”
Schalke coach Karel Geraerts sums it up. “In this league, anyone can beat anyone. That means that surprise teams can end up at the top,” he explains, explicitly counting 1. FC Nuremberg and Karlsruher SC among the extended group of favorites.
And Cristian Fiél from Hertha BSC also says: “The second division is incredibly strong this season too. There are many traditional clubs that want to get back up and that also have a corresponding squad. And there will certainly be a club up there that hardly anyone had on their list before.”
