Bundesliga
Bundesliga 2024/25 previews
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have new coaches, but can they catch up with Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen? Will VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig sparkle again? Who will stay up? We run the rule over all 18 Bundesliga clubs ahead of the new season.
Historical, invincible, barely believable: the list of adjectives to describe Leverkusen's 2023/24 season was long, and for good reason. A maiden Bundesliga title was won in a manner never before achieved, with an unbeaten domestic season. Adding a DFB Cup double, the question that has to now be asked is - how to repeat such feats? After their dramatic Supercup success against Stuttgart, there looks to be plenty left in the Leverkusen tank.
Player to watch: Aleix García
The games are set to come thick and fast for a Leverkusen side challenging on four fronts. Squad rotation will be key, and new signing García will have an important role to play in that aspect. Bayer already had solid options in midfield with Granit Xhaka, Exequiel Palacios and Robert Andrich both playing crucial roles last term, but with ex-Girona captain García now on board, Alonso has a versatile player who can both hold deep or operate in a more advanced role. His immaculate passing and crossing made an instant impression in the Supercup. Seeing how he links up with and supplies Florian Wirtz will also be interesting to see.
How they might line up
What they're saying
"The performance was almost perfect last season ... but we want more. I'm convinced that we'll lose a game [but] of course we want to be up there and that's definitely our goal." - Granit Xhaka
Season goals
With Alonso still on board and the majority of the squad from last season's brilliant campaign sticking around, Bayer will set themselves the achievable task of defending their Bundesliga crown - as well as a decent run deep into the revamped UEFA Champions League.
Spirits remain high in Stuttgart this summer despite losing some key performers over the summer like Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton and Hiroki Ito. Given their sensational past campaign that saw them rise from relegation contenders to runners-up, there is a real sense of anticipation at seeing how Sebastian Hoeneß's side get on this time around. The narrow defeat in the Supercup gave plenty of reason to hope for more heroics.
Player to watch: Deniz Undav
Securing the services of Undav on a permanent deal was a major boon for Stuttgart after his impact on loan last season. As many as 18 goals and nine assists in the last campaign gives good reason to hope the clinical German striker can cover for the departure of Guirassy by taking an even greater share of the scoring burden.
How they might line up
What they're saying
"We don't want to drop down the league, we want to remain at the top. I think nobody wants a worse season than last year." - Deniz Undav
Season goals
Stuttgart will want to enjoy the unexpected chance their superb last season gave them to play in the Champions League - while doing everything they can to replicate their Bundesliga form, freed from the expectation of soaring quite so high.
The Vincent Kompany era begins at Bayern, with the Bavarian giants opting for the Belgian to guide them back to winning ways following the oddity of a trophy-less season at the Allianz Arena. New arrivals have strengthened the record champions' squad, while a solid pre-season bodes well for what could turn out to be a thrilling title tilt.
Player to watch: Michael Olise
Fresh from winning an Olympic silver medal for France, Olise’s arrival promises excitement for a Bayern side that also strengthened with the likes of Hiroki Ito and Joao Palhinha. "He's got incredible qualities. It's not often that you get players like [this]," France Olympic coach Thierry Henry said of the 22-year-old winger, who had 16 direct goal involvements in 19 English Premier League games for Crystal Palace last term.
How they might line up
What they're saying
"I have this element that I like to see beautiful football and beautiful players that have the ambition to do something different with the ball than other players. I would expect a reaction [to last season]. It's an exciting time to be joining the club." - Vincent Kompany
Season goals
New coach or not, Bayern's fans will be expecting their side to sweep aside all before them this season. In addition to competing to regain their Bundesliga crown, Bayern - as ever - will be among the favourites to win the revamped Champions League.
Leipzig won the Supercup at Bayern’s expense last season, but fell short of mounting a serious title challenge. Although the Champions League group stage regulars will be juggling on three fronts once more in the new campaign after finishing fourth domestically in 2023/24, head coach Marco Rose has largely the same squad stacked with talent to play with - Barcelona returnee Dani Olmo has gone, but an exciting youngster has joined in Antonio Nusa.
Player to watch: Benjamin Šeško
Although Leipzig have recruited Norway teenager Antonio Nusa to plug the Olmo gap, it’s big Šeško who could be the man to fuel a sustained title challenge. The Slovenia striker took time to settle into his new surroundings last season, but hit his straps in the new year, sticking away 11 of his 14 Bundesliga goals across the final 18 games of the campaign. Kitted out with a new deal over the summer and with confidence flowing alongside strike partner Loïs Openda, a 20-plus haul is the next logical step for one of the best young forwards in the game.
How they might line up
What they're saying
"Before the last match of last season I felt really uneasy as I thought we could have achieved a lot more. We played well and gave our all, but I had the sense I'm not finished here, and we are not finished as a club. It was important for me that the team remains together. Now is the time to deliver." - Xavi Simons
Season goals
Another top-four finish is the bare minimum requirement, but there’s no doubt the quality is there to challenge Leverkusen and Bayern for top honours.
Nuri Şahin takes centre stage as Dortmund's new head coach. Part of the BVB team that lifted the Bundesliga back in 2011, Şahin will focus on helping BVB shake off the disappointment of a fifth-place finish last season and help the side reproduce some of the star performances that got them to a Champions League final in June. A host of talented new signings should help the 35-year-old in his task.
Player to watch: Maximilian Beier
Beier tormented Dortmund as a Hoffenheim player last season, celebrating a goalscoring double at the home of his new employers. The 21-year-old attacker was so good in TSG blue last term, he was called up to Germany's UEFA Euro 2024 squad after impressing in a couple of senior friendlies. Beier has enthusiasm and talent in abundance and he seems certain to excite an expectant public at Dortmund. We'll also have to see how his partnership develops with Serhou Guirassy once he's fit.
How they might line up
What they're saying
"Saying I'm done with my development would be wrong, but I'm confident enough to say I'm ready for this role and have my own ideas that are also decent. The key is for everyone to come in every morning with enthusiasm, work hard, and enjoy it. I think with the boys that we've signed plus the young talents we have, we're well set up in both the league and the Champions League." - Nuri Şahin
Season goals
Of course, another historic Champions League run would go down very nicely at Dortmund, but more pressingly, the Black-Yellows will look to challenge for a first Bundesliga title win in what would be 13 years.
Frankfurt showed flashes of brilliance in a transitional season under new head coach Dino Toppmöller in 2023/24, ultimately finishing sixth to secure a return to the UEFA Europa League they won two years ago. Star central defender Willian Pacho has since moved on, though, which may bring about a permanent shift from a three to four-man defence - as well as a few more teething problems.
Player to watch: Can Uzun
Eighteen-year-old Uzun produced 19 goals and four assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for Nuremberg last season, including 16 strikes in Bundesliga 2. The top tier’s a sizeable step up, but the Türkiye international has all the tools needed for a long and prosperous career in the Bundesliga.
How they might line up
"We want to do well in the Europa League, but we have the Bundesliga and DFB Cup ahead of us. We have a lot of players with a lot of quality to cope." - Ellyes Skihiri
Season goals
Retaining their top-six status will be top of the list for Eintracht. And if things really click, they might even fancy their chances of breaking into the Champions League qualification places.
Hoffenheim finished just a point back from Frankfurt in seventh. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s charges picked up some big scalps along the way, but now face the challenge of juggling domestic and European football in the American’s second full season at the helm. Replacing the 16 goals of 2023/24 top scorer Beier – now of Dortmund – is another significant hurdle facing the Sinsheim club, with Adam Hložek an exciting signing in a deeper attacking position.
Player to watch: Alexander Prass
For the most part, Matarazzo knew his best team last season, perhaps with the exception of the left wing-back position. Prass’s arrival from Sturm Graz could be the solution. The Austria international, who had a direct hand in 11 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga in 2023/24, is being tipped to start on Matchday 1, ahead of injured Benfica loanee David Jurásek.
How they might line up
"I'm proud to be the coach of this team and am very much looking forward to competing with the boys in Europe in the new season. I'm convinced that with the right additions to the squad, we will have another successful season." - Pellegrino Matarazzo
Season goals
If Hoffenheim are part of the European equation again at the business end, they’ll consider the season a roaring success. Much will depend on how they manage the additional workload of the Europa League.
Heidenheim were one of the shocks of the season in 2023/24. Their meteoric rise in the German game soared even higher as they finished in eighth and made the UEFA Conference League play-offs. Losing key attacking players like Tim Kleindienst, Eren Dinkçi and Jan-Niklas Beste has made the task of replicating that form a formidable one, but Frank Schmidt and his charges will relish the chance to upset the odds again.
Player to watch: Paul Wanner
Heidenheim may have lost some attacking talent over the summer, but they have gained a brilliant prospect from Bayern's books in Wanner. The attacker made his debut for the Bavarians at the age of just 16 and is eager to make his mark on the Bundesliga after registering 10 goal involvements in 28 appearances for Elversberg in Bundesliga 2 last season.
How they might line up
"There is nothing worse for me in life than finding a mowed lawn, as the Bavarians would say. I like these challenges, particularly when everyone has doubts and you are surrounded by question marks." - Frank Schmidt
Season goals
Playing in the Bundesliga remains a remarkable achievement for a club of Heidenheim's stature, and however their Conference League campaign unfolds, the aim will be stretching their stay in the top flight to another season by securing safety.
Ole Werner leads Bremen into their third consecutive season back in the Bundesliga, making his tenure the longest of any current coach exclusively in the division. Improving on a 13th-placed finish in 2022/23 to ninth last time was encouraging, and a quiet summer in the transfer market will give hope of another solid campaign.
Player to watch: Marvin Ducksch
It's hard to miss the 6'2'' striker, particularly when he racks up 21 goal involvements as he did last season. After netting 12 goals for the second consecutive Bundesliga season, Niclas Füllkrug's former strike partner has his sights on even more this time around.
How they might line up
"It is our aim to keep on improving. We want to be ambitious, without losing sight of our tasks in hand." - Ole Werner
Season goals
After missing out on a Conference League qualifying spot on goal difference at the end of last season, there will be hope Bremen might be able to land in the European spots this time around, but another steady showing will be the main focus.
The Black Forest club will take a step into the unknown this season, as they compete for the first time since 2010/11 without Christan Streich in the dugout. Julian Schuster is stepping into the club legend's shoes, and Freiburg will aim for the transition to run as smoothly as possible after keeping their squad largely intact over the summer.
Player to watch: Junior Adamu
The Austrian striker failed to find his feet in an injury-interrupted first season, neither starting in the Bundesliga nor scoring in 15 substitute appearances. After a promising pre-season he may feature more often in the coming campaign, and it would a story fitting for Freiburg if patience pays off and the fine technician adds a new dimension to Freiburg's attack.
How they might line up
"I'm surprisd to be feeling this relaxed. The team have been working so well, and our new coaching team have really found our way. Everyone has taken to the changes. It has gone just the way I would have wanted." - Julian Schuster
Season goals
Given this season will be the first in three without European football, Freiburg might hope to seal a return to the continent, but it doesn't suit their down-to-earth outlook to make that too set an aim, when giving Schuster space to settle into the hot seat will be key.
There is optimism in the air in Augsburg with the hope that Jess Thorup can build on a promising start as coach, with the Bavarian outfit's 11th place marking their highest finish to a season since 2014/15. Much depends this time on how a whole host of new signings settle, including Marius Wolf from Dortmund and a new-look attack with Samuel Essende and Steve Mounié coming, plus last season's top scorer Ermedin Demirović going.
Player to watch: Arne Engels
The 20-year-old Belgian talent can be a lynchpin this season - given a large number of changes to the team. As part of an established midfield four with Kristijan Jakić, Fredrik Jensen and Arne Maier, Engels will also hope to build on his three goals and two assists from the last campaign.
How they might line up
"The mood at the club could not be much more positive. We are sexy again." - Michael Ströll, CEO
Season goals
Augsburg may have solid reasons for optimism, but patience will no doubt be required after so many new signings. Steering well clear of relegation danger again will count as a success.
After hauling Wolfsburg clear of relegation danger when taking charge towards the end of last term, Ralph Hasenhüttl will be eager to get more out of his side in the coming campaign. He will mostly have the same squad at his disposal, although Kamil Grabara has a big pair of goalkeeping gloves to fill in Koen Casteels's, while Mohamed Amoura joins the attack after Václav Černý's departure.
Player to watch: Jonas Wind
The Dane will carry much of Wolfsburg's attacking hopes. He began last season with seven strikes in his first six Bundesliga appearances, then scored two more in the late-season resurgence. It would be a big help to his side if he can recreate that kind of form for even longer this time around.
How they might line up
"We were tactically very mature in pre-season and made progress. We had opponents who could pose us problems. The most important thing is building confidence in what we do so we don't need to worry about our own quality, no matter our opponents." - Ralph Hasenhüttl
Season goals
The Wolves are aiming high, with ambitions to challenge for a European qualification spot with powerful attacking football.
A nine-match unbeaten run to end last season on under new coach Bo Henriksen steered Mainz clear of relegation danger. The will hope to build on that momentum from the start of the new campaign despite some loss of steel in the shape of the departed Leandro Barreiro and Sepp van den Berg along with promising young attacker Brajan Gruda.
Player to watch: Jonathan Burkardt
After netting 11 league goals in 2022/23, Burkardt was unable to carry that momentum into last season as he missed the first 11 games due to a knee injury. He initially struggled for consistency and sharpness after his return but subsequently notched up eight strikes in his last 13 outings. Henriksen has been able to work with the 24-year-old throughout pre-season and will now be hoping to get the best out of him.
How they might line up
"The Bundesliga is difficult and every match is a battle. We hope to have the power and dynamism we need. When we manage that, we have a good chance of succeeding in the years to come." - Bo Henriksen
Season goals
Survival will be the focus again, with a comfortable mid-table position not an unrealistic hope.
Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane has dismissed talk of the Foals being under pressure at the start of the current campaign, but has said they need to improve on their 14th-place finish last season, which saw them just a point above the relegation play-off spot. In Tim Kleindienst and Kevin Stöger they have signed two experienced attacking players proven capable of making impacts on the Bundesliga.
Player to watch: Joe Scally
After three Bundesliga campaigns, it comes as a surprise to be reminded that the American full-back is still only 21. While his work will mostly be defensive in nature, Scally can support Gladbach's ambitions by delivering more magic attacking moments following his spectacular strike at home to Mainz last October.
How they might line up
"It's the job of me and the coaching team to emit even more confidence and show that we want to attack - and that we have what it takes to perform better than last season." - Gerardo Seaone
Season goals
Seaone says Gladbach have ninth place as their aim for the campaign, which would mark a return to the top half of the table for the first time in four seasons.
After the drama and difficulty of last season, fans of Die Eisernen will be hoping for a new era of stability under Bo Svensson. The Dane was known for his bold and intense pressing approach at Mainz.
Player to watch: Tom Rothe
The young left-back arrived from Dortmund as one of a host of new signings and immediately impressed in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad. After spending last season on loan at Holsten Kiel and aiding them in their promotion push, the Germany U21 international will feel the time is ready for him to shine on the Bundesliga stage at his new club.
How they might line up
"There might be some nerves or tension, but I am really pleads for the boys - and for me - that the season is starting." - Bo Svensson
Season goals
After the highs of UEFA Champions League qualification in 2022/23 and the lows of a relegation scrap last time around, Union will gladly settle for anywhere in the middle of those two extremes this time.
After scrambling their way off the ropes in a relegation play-off to secure Bundesliga safety by the very narrowest of margins against Fortuna Düsseldorf, Bochum return to business with some significant changes. Peter Zeidler is the new man in the hotseat while Hannes Drews is the new addition between the sticks. Ibrahima Sissoko, Dani de Wit and Myron Boadu are other new signings expected to feature prominently.
Player to watch: Myron Boadu
As a former Dutch international arriving from Monaco, Boadu has the attributes needed to be a standout player at Bochum. His scoring rate in his days at AZ Alkmaar was outstanding - 14 goals in 24 matches in 2019/20 and 15 goals in 2020/21 made him one of the Dutch top flight's leading marksmen.
How they might line up
"We had two stages in our pre-season. We started by getting to know each other, and that took a while until the team found itself. The second stage included our last two friendly matches. We saw a team that knows what they want to do. We are ready." - Peter Zeidler
Season goals
Bochum will aim for safety - in less dramatic circumstances this time!
After a 13-year absence, one of Germany’s most fascinating clubs are back amongst the elite. They will have to compete without Fabian Hürzeler, who masterminded their transformation from 16th-placed relegation-battlers in December 2022 to Bundesliga 2 champions. Alexander Blessin, a Belgian Cup winner with Union St. Gilloise, steps into Hürzeler’s rather large shoes.
One to watch: Jackson Irvine
Australia international Irvine has proven a hit ever since signing from Hibernian in 2021 and led by example throughout the 2023/24 term, adding goals and his assists to his fantastic work-rate. At the age of 31, this will be his first taste of one of Europe’s top five divisions, but strong showings for his country at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups suggest he has what it takes perform at the highest domestic level.
How they might line up
What they’re saying
“Fabian has achieved incredible things at St. Pauli in the past year and a half, which has to be acknowledged. But I also had a certain parallel at Union Saint-Gilloise, where the club had great success in the two years I was there. So I'm already familiar with this situation.” - Alexander Blessin
Season goals
The Hamburg-based outfit will be looking to stay in the Bundesliga and, if possible, avoid a tight relegation battle. The Millerntor, their raucous home fortress, should be an asset.
After knocking on the door of promotion several times over the past few years, Kiel finally secured their maiden German top-flight appearance courtesy of a consistent second-tier campaign. Now it remains to be seen whether Marcel Rapp’s men and now the Bundesliga’s northernmost club can compete amongst the elite.
One to watch: Lewis Holtby
Kiel’s squad has a smattering of top-flight experience, including last season's 10-goal top scorer Steven Skrzybski. But it’s captain Holtby who will be crucial to their chances in the Bundesliga. The 33-year-old has experience at this level from spells at Schalke, Bochum, Mainz and Hamburg, as well as stints in the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. Five goals and seven assists in last year’s promotion push underline the midfielder’s impact.
What they’re saying
“This is a different challenge and a different league awaits us, but one thing is clear: we have not come just to say hello. We want to stay.” – Marcel Rapp
Season goals
As they embark on this new adventure, Kiel’s objective is simple: survive.