2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: Hannover 96
There were high hopes heading into last season for Hannover. New, exciting coach in Stefan Leitl and a squad more than capable of competing for the top six. Even the word “promotion” was thrown out. What we got was a pretty good Hannover side in the hinrunde, they were a strong defensive unit and provided an excellently diverse attacking form.
But.
The rückrunde was an absolute train crash, that same defence seriously struggled to defend any situation, the midfield completely folded and nothing seemed to work in the final third. Thus, the 10th place wasn’t the glowing endorsement of a high profile squad who underachieved and a highly prized manager who couldn’t find a consistent solution.
This season possesses a big test for Hannover, with plenty to prove can die Roten get back to the level expected or could we see the rug pulled on this current project?
Team Details
Stadion (Capacity): Niedersachsenstadion (49,000)
Kit manufacturer: Macron
Nicknames: Die Roten (The Reds)
Coach: Stefan Lietl
Captain: Ron-Robert Zieler
Signings & Departures
Signings: Bright Arrey-Mbi (Bayern München, loan made permanent), Marius Wörl (1860 München), Yannik Lührs (Hannover 96 II), Leon-Oumar Wechsel (SV Rödinghausen), Brooklyn Ezeh (Wehen Wiesbaden), Max Christiansen (Greuther Fürth), Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig)
Departures: Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim, end of loan), Sebastian Kerk (without club), Gael Ondoua (without club), Sebastian Stolze (SV Sandhausen), Tim Walbrecht (without club), Hendrik Weydandt (retired), Simon Stehele (without club), Ekin Celebi (Rot-Weiss Essen), Lawrence Ennali (Górnik Zabrze, on loan)
Hannover haven’t been a prominent player in the transfer window so far, but, this is a move to consolidate the current squad and build from the platform of last season. They struck gold on the likes of Derrick Köhn who enters the season as the best left-back/left wing-back in the 2. Bundesliga. Hannover also found a strong defensive option in Bright Arrey-Mbi, who was on loan with the club and turned that into a permanent deal. Marcel Halstenberg had been rumoured to join Hannover for quite some time, and he is excellent signing to help improve the defence.
A player who certainly won many admirers thanks to his performance in the relegation play-offs for Wehen Wiesbaden was Brooklyn Ezeh. Now, Ezeh is in competition with the aforementioned Köhn, but is still an excellent further up the pitch should Hannover play an attacking three or a more conventional 4-2-3-1.
To bolster the midfield, Max Christiansen who was part of the Greuther Fürth side Leitl coached in the Bundesliga joins on a free. Christiansen brings a wealth of experience in the 2. Bundesliga, and should provide good competition for the likes of Fabian Kunze and Max Besuschkow.
The departures aren’t big losses, Maximilian Beier played the most games out of those who won’t return to Hannover this season.
Potential setup
Hannover’s unquestionably quiet window means we could see a similar look to the team that finished the season. Ideally, not the performance that saw them lose 1:5 to Kiel at home on the final matchday. Yannik Lührs is a player for the future and probably could’ve started on matchday one. But with the signing of Halstenberg, he’ll have to wait his turn. Halstenberg will be in the back three alongside Phil Neumann and Arrey-Mbi.
It’s much of the same out wide with Köhn and Sei Muroya in wide areas, and the addition of Ezeh gives Hannover plenty of quick and decisive attacking options when stretching teams. The central midfield mix is interesting, as with the formation we could see, three doesn’t go into two. New signing Christiansen, along with Max Besuschkow and Fabian Kunze are fighting to get the start against Elversberg. Kunze is usually teetering on the line of what is fair, and what isn’t. But, it is likely to be ahead of Besuschkow in my opinion.
Louis Schaub came on strong during the rückrunde and playing him in a creative number 10 role was beneficial, especially when Hannover was able to get back to similar form that had Hannover in the top six during the first half of the season. He could be someone who leads the league in assists come the end of the season.
Cedric Teuchert was Hannover’s most dangerous, and combined well with Havard Nielsen to provide a dynamic attacking duo. Nicolò Tresoldi teased his potentital and will be pushing for a consistent role in Leitl’s plan this season. I expect at least one more striker to be added to the squad before the transfer window ends.
Fan Perspective
As Hannover heads into a new 2. Bundesliga campaign, I wanted to know how what the feeling was within the fan base. I spoke with Hannover fan Melanie to discuss her thoughts heading into the new season.
MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
ML: I hope they aim for a position in the top third of the table. Somewhere between 4th and 7th would be ideal in my opinion. That would be a healthy next step - considering that last season wasn't as consistent and stable as we had hoped. However, knowing the tendency of Hannover 96 officials (and fans) to dream big, I wouldn't be surprised to hear Martin Kind talk about promotion to the Bundesliga as a goal for next season.
MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?
ML: Definitely Marcel Halstenberg. This is a massive signing for the club and on paper he'll be one of the best players in the 2.Bundesliga. However, Halstenberg's arrival raises expectations for both the club and the player. It'll be interesting to see if he can handle the pressure in a difficult (media) environment like Hannover.
MK: Who is one player from Hannover fans of the league should keep an eye on?
ML: Nicolò Tresoldi. He was already THE talent in the 96 squad last season. Although he was always highly motivated on the pitch, he just couldn't find the net. But who can blame him? There are easier tasks than being an 18-year-old striker in a struggling side. Things could be better this season though. If Hannover can bring in a new striker and have a reasonably consistent season, Tresoldi could be given the time and space to blossom.
MK: Fans should go to the Niedersaschenstadion this season because?
ML: Fans of Hannover 96 should go the stadium because they will hopefully see better football than last season. Fans of other teams should come because it’s a beautifully located stadium in the middle of the city, right next to the Maschsee and the Rathaus. Definitely worth the trip!
MK: Where do you think Hannover will finish this season?
ML: 6th (which would be fine by me).
Predictions
Progress is a must for Hannover if the Leitl project will be able to fulfil the clubs ambitions of returning to the Bundesliga. That’s not to say they will gain promotion this season. However, they must move away from mid-table mediocrity that has plagued the club over the past few seasons.
Whilst they haven’t been as busy as you’d expect in the window, shred dealings has Hannover in a better position then they were this time 12 months ago.
At worst, Hannover are unable to escape the dregs of mid-table and this would put into question whether the club is using the resources to their most optimal. Hannover’s ceiling is a place inside the top six, they do have a strong enough squad to do so. It’s a question of whether or not they can sustain a level of football against the best teams in the league.