2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: 1. FC Nürnberg
Nürnberg were expected to take the next step on their way back to the Bundesliga last season, however, fate had other ideas as Der Club was on the brink of returning to the relegation play-offs. Something fans of Nürnberg are all too familiar with after their side survived by the skin of their teeth back in 2020 when they scrapped past Ingolstadt.
Last season was meant to showcase why Robert Klauß was a heavily fancied young manager, yet, his side's inability to score goals saw him ousted after nearly two and a half years. Markus Weinzierl never seemed like the right replacement, and it was quite telling to see his failure in Bavaria last less than half of the season. Sporting director Dieter Hecking put himself in charge as a last resource, and, although Nürnberg did survive, many were displeased in how the season concluded.
Hecking is under plenty of pressure, this is the team he built and failure to improve on last season's disappointment could see his head on the chopping block.
Team Details
Stadion (Capacity): Max-Morlock-Stadion (49,923)
Kit manufacturer: Adidas
Nicknames: Der Club (The Club), Die Legende (The Legend), Der Ruhmreiche (The Glorious), Der Altmeister (The Old Master)
Coach: Cristian Fíel
Captain: Christopher Schindler
Signings & Departures
Signings: Daichi Hayashi (Sint-Truidense V.V. loan), Ivan Marquez (NEC Nijmegen), Jens Castrop (1. FC Köln II, loan made permanent), Ahmet Gürleyen (Wehen Wiesbaden), Nicholas Ortegel (1. FC Nürnberg U19), Jannes Horn (VfL Bochum, loan made permanent), Kanji Okunuki (Omiya Ardija), Manuel Wintzheimer (Eintracht Braunschweig, loan return), Paul Besong (Erzgebirge Aue, loan return), Joseph Hungbo (Watford FC)
Departures: Louis Breunig (Jahn Regensburg, loan), Paul Besong (Borussia Dortmund II), Shawn Blum (1. FC Kaiserslautern II), Danny Blum (without club), Jens Castrop (1. FC Köln, end of loan), Florian Flick (FC Schalke 04, end of loan), Jannes Horn (VfL Bochum, end of loan), Pascal Köpke (MSV Duisburg), Fabian Nürnberger (SV Darmstadt 98), Gustavo Puerta (Bayer Leverkusen, end of loan), Erik Shuranov (Maccabi Haifa), Lino Tempelmann (SC Freiburg, end of loan), Peter Vindahl Jensen (AZ Alkmaar, end of loan), Manuel Wintzheimer (Arminia Bielefeld, loan), Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets Razard)
After such a disappointing previous campaign, change was inevitable during the summer window. Some of their brightest in Lino Tempelmann and Florian Flick returned to their parent clubs. At the time of writing this, Tempelmann is off to Schalke. On the positive it seems Flick is about to make his loan stay with Nürnberg permanent. Whilst their is probably a joke to be had, Fabian Nürnberger leaves Nürnberg to join promoted side Darmstadt.
Speaking of loans made permanent, Jens Castrop and Jannes Horn are both staying on. Horn brought some much needed stability defensively when he was healthy and Castrop proved to be a versatile option for Hecking with the ability to play multiple positions.
Fixing the attack is a must for Nürnberg, Kwadwo Duah was one of the better signings Der Club made last season scoring 10 goals, his departure is a big loss. His fellow forwards in Christoph Daferner and Manuel Wintzheimer were less effective in their first campaigns in Nürnberg. Joining the core of attacking options are Daichi Hayashi on loan from Sint-Truidense V.V. and Kanji Okunuki from J2 side Omiya Ardija.
Potential setup
System, system, system.
Can Cristian Fiél implement a system that unlocks the attacking capabilities of this squad? That will be key for the worst offensive team in the league. We’ve mentioned the signings of Hayashi, joining the established group of Christoph Daferner who had his best season professionally under Fiél in Dresden, and Felix Lohkemper who was the best option under Hecking. It looks likely he will lead the line in Rostock to start the season.
Okunuki has made a significant impression during preseason, and it’s very possible that he will make his 2. Bundesliga come matchday one. The midfield mix is largely unchanged with Benjamin Goller expected to see significantly more minutes after his arrival in January. With the departure of Tempelmann, how they utilise the Castrop will be fascinating. He can play many different positions but I believe he will find more comfort in the heart of midfield this season.
Defensively, it wasn’t great last season, injuries were a massive problem in Nürnberg’s inability to find a defence that could work cohesively and consistently. Horn provided an improvement during the rückrunde, and now that his deal is permanent it’s likely we will see him start the season. Christopher Schindler doesn’t look like he will be ready for the season start, and it’s likely Florian Hübner gets the nod of approval. Nathaniel Brown impressed when given his opportunity last season, and for me he’s ahead of the experienced Tim Handwerker.
Goalkeeping was also an issue once Christian Mathenia missed the second half of the season, but his return is a welcomed boost for a club that needs it.
Fan Perspective
Nürnberg are desperate to avoid the disappointments of last season and the fans were more than vocal in voice how they felt. So, I asked Uli Digmayer, journalist for the Nürnberger Nachrichten to give me the lowdown regarding the new season.
MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
UD: Last season, the club had given place one to six as the official goal. Sports director Dieter Hecking later admitted that it was a fault and that he had overestimated the team. Therefore they don't want to set any specific targets this year. But of course they hope to play at least a season without having the fear of going down.
MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?
UD: The latest player to join the squad was Joseph Hungbo from FC Watford. I think he is a very exciting player with a strong left foot. He already had a great start with a spectacular last minute goal in a test match against SpVgg Unterhaching. But also the two Japanese players Daichi Hayashi and Kunji Okunuki are interesting players which should enliven the offensive play.
MK: Who is one player from Nürnberg fans of the league should keep an eye on?
UD: Midfielder Can Uzun is only 17 years old, but perhaps the biggest talent in Nuremberg since many years. He already made his first steps in the league last season and will hopefully continue this year.
MK: What are your impressions of new manager Cristian Fiél so far?
UD: He is an impulsive coach who is good at motivating a team but also very empathetic. He stands for courageous offensive football, but also attaches importance to stable defensive work.
MK: Fans should go to the Max-Morlock-Stadion this season because?
UD: With the new coach and new players Nürnberg will hopefully play a more courageous and successful football than last season. And the atmosphere in this special stadium is always very impressive.
MK: Where do you think Nürnberg will finish this season?
UD: I think Nürnberg will perform better than last season and they will not get into trouble again. But because the second league is very strong this year with ambitious teams like Hertha BSC, Schalke, HSV, Kaiserslautern, Düsseldorf or Hannover, at the end they will finish between place 6 to 10.
Predictions
This could be Hecking’s last dance in Nürnberg. Yes, he’s had some great moments as a coach for this great club in Germany’s south, but as a sporting director he has failed to progress Der club in the right direction.
Fiél is a big selection as manager, his stint at Dynamo Dresden was hit and miss. Failure to establish himself will not only cut his time short, but Hecking will be gone with him.
It’s going to be a massive season for Nürnberg, who at their best could be a 7th placed side, the danger is the floor could be fighting to avoid the relegation play-offs once again.