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Part Nine: December Review – Ending the Year in the Promotion Race

As 2025 drew to a close, Hansa Rostock entered December firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion. The challenge was to navigate a difficult final month before the winter break and ensure the team remained in a strong position heading into the new year.

Four league matches awaited, producing a mixture of frustration, disappointment, and emphatic victories. By the end of the month, Hansa had collected seven points from a possible twelve and remained firmly in contention near the top of the table.

Jahn Regensburg 2-2 Hansa Rostock

December began with an entertaining draw away at Jahn Regensburg. The hosts made the worst possible start for Hansa when Niklaus found the net after just two minutes, but Christian Kinsombi continued his excellent season by levelling the match in the 16th minute. Emil Holten then put Hansa ahead in the 37th minute, only for Kuhlwetter to equalise from the penalty spot before half-time. Neither side could find a winner in the second half, and the points were ultimately shared after an evenly contested encounter.

Hansa Rostock 0-1 Alemannia Aachen

The month's only defeat arrived at the Ostseestadion against Alemannia Aachen. Gindorf's goal in the 12th minute proved decisive as Hansa struggled to break down a disciplined defensive performance from the visitors. Despite controlling large periods of possession, the hosts could not find a breakthrough and were left frustrated by a rare home defeat.

Stuttgart II 1-3 Hansa Rostock

Hansa responded in exactly the manner promotion contenders should. Franz Pfanne opened the scoring after just seven minutes before Tony Menzel took centre stage, scoring twice in five first-half minutes to put the visitors firmly in control. Stuttgart II managed a consolation through Majchrzak in the 53rd minute, but the result never looked in serious doubt as Hansa secured a valuable away victory.

Hansa Rostock 3-0 Saarbrücken

The final match of 2025 produced one of the club's most convincing performances of the campaign. Christian Kinsombi opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Emil Holten struck either side of half-time to complete a commanding 3-0 victory. The clean sheet was just as pleasing as the three goals, rounding off the year on a high note and sending supporters into the winter break with plenty of optimism.

Month Summary

December ended with two wins, one draw, and one defeat from four matches. While the loss to Alemannia Aachen was disappointing, the response against Stuttgart II and Saarbrücken demonstrated the resilience that has become a hallmark of this Hansa side.

Christian Kinsombi continued his excellent campaign with two more goals, while Emil Holten added three to his growing tally and further strengthened his case as one of the most important players in the squad. Tony Menzel also maintained his impressive form with a decisive first-half brace against Stuttgart II.

As the winter break arrives, Hansa Rostock remain firmly in the promotion picture. There is still plenty of football to be played in 2026, but the first half of the season has provided ample evidence that this squad is capable of achieving the board's ambitious target of automatic promotion.

The challenge now is simple: rest, regroup, and return in January ready for the decisive months ahead.

January

Part Eight: November Review – Finishing Strong Before Winter

With the season beginning to enter its crucial middle phase, November presented Hansa Rostock with three important league fixtures. Having maintained their place among the promotion contenders throughout the autumn, the objective was simple: continue collecting points and build momentum heading towards the winter break.

By the end of the month, Hansa had done exactly that, taking seven points from a possible nine and continuing to strengthen their promotion credentials.

Hansa Rostock 2-2 Sportclub Verl

November began with a frustrating draw at the Ostseestadion. Christian Kinsombi gave Hansa the perfect start after just three minutes, but Verl responded strongly through Besio in the 23rd minute and Taz seven minutes later to turn the game around. For much of the afternoon it looked as though Hansa would suffer a disappointing home defeat, but David Hummel rescued a point with an equaliser in the 81st minute. It wasn't the result Hansa wanted, but the late goal ensured the unbeaten run continued.

SSV Ulm 1846 1-2 Hansa Rostock

A week later, Hansa travelled to Ulm and showed impressive character to come from behind. Millgramm gave the hosts an early lead in the 7th minute, but Emil Holten responded quickly with an equaliser nine minutes later. The Danish striker continued to lead the line superbly and struck again in the 65th minute to complete the turnaround. It was a mature away performance and another reminder of Holten's growing importance to the side.

Hansa Rostock 4-0 Schweinfurt 05

The month concluded in emphatic fashion as Hansa produced one of their most complete performances of the season. Tony Menzel opened the scoring in the 51st minute before Christian Kinsombi doubled the advantage midway through the second half. Emil Holten then put the game beyond doubt with two late goals in the 84th and 90th minutes, sealing a convincing 4-0 victory and sending the supporters home delighted.

Month Summary

November ended with two wins and a draw from three league matches, keeping Hansa firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion. Emil Holten enjoyed another excellent month with four goals, continuing his rise as one of the division's most dangerous forwards, while Tony Menzel and Christian Kinsombi also made important contributions.

Most pleasing of all was the response shown after dropping points against Verl. Rather than allowing frustration to derail momentum, the squad bounced back with consecutive victories and finished the month in strong form.

As winter approaches, Hansa Rostock remain exactly where they want to be: firmly in the promotion conversation and continuing to prove that the board's ambitious expectations may not be as unrealistic as they first appeared.

December

Part Seven: October Review – Grinding Out Results

After a strong September that saw Hansa Rostock firmly establish themselves in the promotion race, October brought a lighter fixture schedule but no shortage of challenges. Three league matches awaited, including difficult trips to Duisburg and Viktoria Köln. By the end of the month, Hansa remained unbeaten and continued to collect valuable points at the top end of the table.

Duisburg 0-0 Hansa Rostock

October began with a hard-fought draw away at Duisburg. Neither side could find a breakthrough despite creating opportunities, and ultimately the points were shared in a match dominated by defensive organisation rather than attacking quality. While it was not the most entertaining encounter, keeping a clean sheet away from home ensured Hansa extended their unbeaten run and avoided what could have been a difficult result.

Hansa Rostock 3-1 Wehen Wiesbaden

The goals returned at the Ostseestadion as Hansa produced an impressive attacking display against Wehen Wiesbaden. Tony Menzel opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Emil Holten doubled the advantage just three minutes later. Wiesbaden briefly threatened a comeback when they reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute, but Menzel struck again in the 58th minute to restore Hansa's two-goal cushion and secure all three points. It was Menzel's best performance since arriving on loan and further evidence of his growing importance to the squad.

Viktoria Köln 2-3 Hansa Rostock

The month's most dramatic fixture came away at Viktoria Köln. Emil Holten gave Hansa the perfect start by scoring in the 3rd minute, but the hosts remained in the contest throughout and eventually levelled the match. With time running out and the game finely balanced, Tony Menzel stepped forward to take control. The on-loan midfielder converted a penalty in the 79th minute before adding another just two minutes later to put Hansa firmly in command. Although Otto's early goal and Handle's late strike ensured a tense finish, Hansa held on to claim a vital away victory.

Month Summary

October may have featured only three matches, but it proved to be another productive month for Hansa Rostock. Seven points from a possible nine kept the promotion challenge firmly on track, while Tony Menzel emerged as one of the team's standout performers with four goals across the month. Emil Holten also continued to contribute important goals, providing further evidence that Hansa possess multiple attacking threats capable of deciding matches.

Perhaps most encouragingly, the team continues to find different ways to win. Whether grinding out a point away from home, controlling games at the Ostseestadion, or producing late drama on the road, Hansa are beginning to show the consistency that every successful promotion campaign requires.

As the season moves into November, the objective remains unchanged: stay in touch with the automatic promotion places and continue building momentum one result at a time.

November

Part Six: September Review – Building Momentum

After an encouraging unbeaten start in August, September presented a sterner test of Hansa Rostock's promotion credentials. Five league matches awaited, including difficult trips to Osnabrück and Rot-Weiss Essen. By the end of the month, Hansa had responded impressively, collecting twelve points from fifteen and continuing to establish themselves among the early promotion contenders.

Osnabrück 1-0 Hansa Rostock

September began with disappointment as Hansa suffered their first league defeat of the season away at Osnabrück. Meißner's goal in the 17th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides in a frustrating afternoon where Hansa struggled to turn possession into clear-cut opportunities. It was a reminder that promotion campaigns are rarely straightforward and that every point must be earned.

Hansa Rostock 2-0 1860 München

The perfect response arrived just three days later at the Ostseestadion. Maximilian Krauß broke the deadlock shortly after half-time in the 46th minute before Andreas Voglsammer doubled the advantage twelve minutes later. It was a composed and professional display that not only returned Hansa to winning ways but also produced another valuable clean sheet.

Rot-Weiss Essen 1-2 Hansa Rostock

A difficult away trip to Essen looked set to end in disappointment when Hofmann gave the hosts the lead in the 48th minute. Hansa, however, showed impressive character to turn the game around. Christian Kinsombi levelled in the 68th minute before Kenan Fatkić completed the comeback eight minutes later, securing a crucial three points against one of the division's stronger sides.

Hansa Rostock 2-0 TSV Havelse

Back on home soil, Hansa produced another efficient performance against TSV Havelse. Kinsombi continued his excellent form by opening the scoring after just six minutes, while Voglsammer added a second in the 22nd minute to effectively settle the contest early. The defence remained solid throughout as Hansa recorded another comfortable victory.

Hansa Rostock 5-1 Energie Cottbus

The month concluded with Hansa's most emphatic performance of the season so far. Lukas Wallner opened the scoring in the 26th minute before Voglsammer struck twice in quick succession either side of Tony Menzel's first goal for the club. Youth prospect Fiete Bock then added his first senior goal in the 51st minute to cap a memorable evening. Heidrich grabbed a consolation goal for Energie Cottbus in the 74th minute, but the result was never in doubt as Hansa ran out convincing 5-1 winners.

Month Summary

September ended with four wins from five league matches and twelve points added to the tally. Andreas Voglsammer continued to lead the line superbly, while Christian Kinsombi's recent form has added another attacking threat. Perhaps most encouragingly, both Tony Menzel and academy prospect Fiete Bock opened their accounts for the club during the victory over Energie Cottbus, providing further evidence of the growing depth within the squad.

The defeat at Osnabrück was disappointing, but the response that followed was exactly what promotion contenders must produce. Hansa Rostock enter October with momentum firmly on their side and belief growing that automatic promotion is a realistic objective rather than merely an ambition.

October

Part Five: August Review – An Unbeaten Start

Erzgebirge Aue 1-1 Hansa Rostock

Hansa's return to league action began with a hard-fought point away at Erzgebirge Aue. The hosts took the lead through Majetschak in the 33rd minute and looked on course for victory, but David Hummel came to the rescue with a well-earned equaliser in the 77th minute. While it wasn't the ideal start, rescuing a point on the road ensured the season began with something to build upon.

Hansa Rostock 4-2 Waldhof Mannheim

The first home game of the campaign produced both goals and entertainment. Andreas Voglsammer delivered a captain's performance, scoring in the 12th, 36th, and 72nd minutes to complete a superb hat-trick. Waldhof remained competitive throughout thanks to goals from Ferati and Menig, but Cedric Harenbrock's stoppage-time strike in the 92nd minute secured a deserved victory and three valuable points.

Ingolstadt 1-2 Hansa Rostock

Perhaps the standout result of the month came away at Ingolstadt. Voglsammer gave Hansa a dream start after just four minutes before Kaygin levelled for the hosts ten minutes later. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Marco Schuster popped up deep into stoppage time to score a dramatic 95th-minute winner, sending the travelling supporters home delighted and maintaining the club's unbeaten start.

Hansa Rostock 1-0 Hoffenheim II

The month concluded with a professional performance against Hoffenheim II. Christian Kinsombi scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute, and Hansa controlled proceedings from there to record another three points. It may not have been the most spectacular victory, but it was exactly the type of efficient performance promotion-chasing sides need throughout a long season.

Month Summary

August ended with Hansa Rostock unbeaten after four league matches, collecting ten points from a possible twelve. Three wins and a draw have provided an excellent platform for the promotion challenge, with Andreas Voglsammer emerging as the early star of the campaign. There is still room for improvement, particularly defensively, but the early signs suggest this squad is more than capable of competing at the top end of the 3. Liga.

September 

Part Four: Pre-Season Review – Signs of Promise on the Baltic Coast

The first chapter of this Hansa Rostock journey is complete.

After weeks spent on the training ground, countless tactical meetings, and a busy transfer window, we finally have a clearer picture of what this team might be capable of.

Pre-season results should always be treated with caution. Fitness levels vary, experimentation is common, and results rarely tell the full story.

But they do provide clues.

And after reviewing both the performances and the transfer business completed over the summer, there is genuine reason for optimism.

Activity in the Transfer Market

With no transfer budget available when I arrived at the club, recruitment was always going to require creativity.

The first addition was Sherkhan Kalmurza, who joined on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy for £500,000. For a club balancing promotion ambitions against financial reality, this type of deal makes perfect sense. We gain immediate quality without committing significant resources upfront.

The second arrival was Pyry Mentu, signed permanently for £750,000.

Considering the club's debt obligations and tight financial situation, this represents a sizeable investment. The hope is that Mentu can become a key player not only this season but for years to come.

The final addition of the window was perhaps the most intriguing.

Tony Menzel arrived on loan from Dynamo Dresden.

Given the rivalry between the two clubs, it is not a move that will immediately win over every supporter. However, promotion campaigns are built on quality rather than sentiment, and Menzel arrives with the opportunity to make a significant contribution to our season. If he performs well, his previous employers will quickly become an afterthought.

While players arrived, others moved on.

Felix Ruschke completed a £350,000 move to Frosinone. With several options available on the left side of defence, it was a deal that made sense for both player and club.

The biggest departure of the summer was undoubtedly Adrien Lebeau.

The French playmaker joined Saint-Étienne in a deal worth £1.7 million. Financially, it was difficult to turn down. The fee represents a substantial injection of cash for a club still carrying significant debt and trying to build a sustainable future.

On the pitch, however, his departure leaves a sizeable void.

Lebeau possessed the creativity and technical ability capable of unlocking games in an instant. Replacing that quality will not be straightforward.

Overall, the club generated more than £2 million in transfer income while bringing in three players capable of contributing immediately. Given the financial restrictions we are working under, it feels like sensible business.

Whether it was good business will be determined over the next nine months.

Results

Hansa Rostock 0-0 Kilmarnock

The opening fixture of pre-season offered a useful test against organised opposition.

While the game lacked goals, it provided encouraging signs defensively. The shape looked solid, players appeared comfortable within the system, and a clean sheet provided a solid foundation on which to build.

FK René Schneider 0-5 Hansa Rostock

The goals arrived quickly in the second fixture.

Five goals, a dominant performance, and an opportunity for several players to begin building confidence in front of goal.

It may only have been a friendly, but professionalism and ruthlessness are habits worth developing.

Schönberg 95 0-5 Hansa Rostock

Another comfortable victory followed.

The attacking combinations began to click, chances were created regularly, and the squad looked increasingly confident with every passing match.

Schwerin 0-4 Hansa Rostock

The third consecutive victory reinforced a growing sense that the players were adapting well to the tactical demands being placed upon them.

The defence remained compact while the attack continued to deliver goals.

Exactly what you want to see during pre-season.

Hansa Rostock 3-3 Heidenheim

This was arguably the standout result of the summer.

Heidenheim arrived as Bundesliga opposition and provided a far sterner examination than anything encountered previously.

The fact that Hansa scored three times against top-flight opposition was extremely encouraging. At the same time, conceding three goals highlighted areas that still require improvement.

The result itself was less important than the message it delivered.

This squad can compete.

Hansa Rostock 0-1 Nürnberg

The only defeat of pre-season.

While losing is never ideal, Nürnberg offered another strong test and exposed some weaknesses that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

In many ways, this may prove to have been one of the most valuable matches of the summer.

Hansa Rostock 3-0 Harksheide

The final friendly brought pre-season to a satisfying conclusion.

Three goals, a clean sheet, and another professional display ensured the squad heads into competitive action with momentum and confidence.

The Numbers

The statistics paint an encouraging picture.

Played: 7

Won: 5

Drawn: 1

Lost: 1

Goals Scored: 20

Goals Conceded: 4

Scoring twenty goals across seven matches suggests there is enough attacking quality within the squad to challenge near the top of the division.

Conceding only four times is equally pleasing and indicates that the defensive structure is beginning to take shape.

The opposition varied considerably in quality, but the consistency of performance throughout the schedule stands out.

What We've Learned

Several conclusions can already be drawn from the summer.

Firstly, this team appears capable of creating and converting chances. Twenty goals is an excellent return regardless of opposition.

Secondly, the defensive organisation has improved steadily throughout pre-season. Clean sheets became a recurring theme, and the players appear increasingly comfortable with their responsibilities.

Thirdly, competition for places is healthy across the squad. There are very few positions where players can afford to become complacent.

The biggest unanswered question remains the departure of Adrien Lebeau.

Replacing his creativity will not be easy.

The arrivals of Tony Menzel, Sherkhan Kalmurza, and Pyry Mentu should help spread that responsibility across the squad, but league football provides a much sterner examination than summer friendlies.

Only time will tell whether enough quality remains to compensate for the loss of one of the club's most talented players.

Looking Ahead

Pre-season optimism is one of football's great traditions.

Every club believes this might be their year.

At Hansa Rostock, expectations are clear.

The board want automatic promotion.

The supporters expect us to challenge near the top of the table and compete fiercely against our rivals.

Neither objective will be easy.

But after a productive summer, sensible transfer business, and a strong set of pre-season performances, there is every reason to believe this squad can meet those demands.

The players are ready.

The preparations are complete.

The journey to return Hansa Rostock to the 2. Bundesliga begins now.

And with it, the long-term dream of restoring East German football to the summit of German football moves one step closer.

Part Three: Assessing the Squad – What Have We Inherited?

With the club's finances examined and expectations established, attention now turns to the most important asset at Hansa Rostock.

The players.

Before the transfer window opens and before any decisions are made regarding arrivals and departures, it's time to assess the squad we've inherited. Can this group achieve the board's demand of automatic promotion? Or will reinforcements be needed before the season gets underway?

Let's take a closer look.

Goalkeepers

Between the posts, Hansa have two senior options available.

Benjamin Uphoff brings experience and should provide a reliable presence in goal, while Max Hagemoser offers competition and depth.

At first glance, this isn't a position that immediately demands attention. Unless an exceptional opportunity presents itself in the market, goalkeeper appears to be one of the stronger areas of the squad.

Defensive Options

The heart of the defence looks well stocked.

Ahmet Gürleyen, Florian Carstens, Dario Gebuhr, and Leon Reichardt give the club several natural centre-back options, while Lukas Wallner adds further depth.

There is also useful versatility in the squad. Both Franz Pfanne and Marco Schuster can operate in central defence or midfield, giving valuable tactical flexibility.

The question isn't whether Hansa have enough defenders.

The question is whether they have the right partnership capable of leading a promotion-winning defence.

The Full-Back Situation

Out wide, there is no shortage of options.

On the right, Nico Neidhart, Jan Mejdr, and Benno Dietze compete for places.

On the left, Logan Ndenbe, Viktor Bergh, and Felix Ruschke provide similar depth.

Having multiple options on both flanks is a luxury at this level, although it may also create decisions regarding squad balance and playing time.

If funds are limited, this could be an area where departures become just as important as arrivals.

Midfield Depth

The midfield group is built around industry and work rate.

Lukas Kunze, Kenan Fatkić, and Jonas Dirkner form the core of the central midfield department, while Schuster and Pfanne offer additional cover.

This is a solid group, but perhaps not one overflowing with creativity.

Much of the transfer planning may revolve around whether this midfield possesses enough quality on the ball to dominate matches against teams expected to sit deep against Hansa.

Creativity in Attack

The attacking midfield positions appear to contain some of the squad's most exciting players.

Adrien Lebeau immediately stands out as someone capable of becoming the creative focal point of the side. Comfortable operating centrally or from the left, he has the ability to unlock defences and provide moments of quality.

Alongside him are Paul Stock, Cedric Harenbrock, Christian Kinsombi, and Maximilian Krauß, giving plenty of options across the attacking midfield positions.

On paper, there appears to be enough creativity here to trouble most teams in the division.

The challenge will be turning possession into goals.

The Strikers

Promotion campaigns are often decided by one thing.

Goals.

Hansa's attacking options include experienced forward Andreas Voglsammer, versatile attacker David Hummel, and striker Emil Holten.

There is a healthy mix of experience, movement, and physicality within the group.

However, one question remains unanswered.

Who is going to score 20-plus league goals?

If one of these forwards can establish themselves as a reliable goalscorer, Hansa's chances of promotion increase dramatically.

If not, this may become an area requiring attention during the transfer window.

The Future of the Club

Every rebuild requires an eye on the future as well as the present.

One player who immediately catches the eye is Fiete Bock.

Capable of operating anywhere across the attacking midfield line, Bock represents the type of player supporters always want to see emerge from the academy system.

Expectations should remain realistic. He is still developing and may not be ready to shoulder significant responsibility immediately.

But if this save is going to become the long-term project I hope it will be, players like Bock could eventually become the foundation upon which future success is built.

Initial Verdict

Looking across the squad as a whole, there are reasons for optimism.

The defence looks strong.

The full-back positions are well covered.

There is decent depth throughout midfield and attack.

Yet there are also questions that need answering.

Is there enough creativity in central midfield?

Can the forwards consistently deliver goals?

And most importantly, is this squad already capable of securing automatic promotion, or will the transfer window prove decisive?

Over the coming weeks, recruitment meetings will take place, targets will be identified, and difficult decisions will need to be made.

The journey back towards the Bundesliga starts here.

The squad assessment is complete.

Now the rebuilding begins.

Part Two: The Reality Check – Hansa's Finances and Expectations

Before a ball is kicked, before tactics are discussed, and before dreams of Bundesliga glory can begin, we need to take a look at the state of Hansa Rostock.

The romantic vision is simple: restore East German football and take Hansa back to the top.

The reality is far less glamorous.

The Financial Situation

At first glance, things don't look too bad. The club currently sits with an overall balance of around £3.3 million and boasts sponsorship income worth almost £5.7 million per season. For a club at this level, those are respectable figures.

But dig a little deeper and the warning signs begin to appear.

Hansa are carrying more than £4 million in debt, part of an original debt package worth nearly £11 million. Monthly repayments of almost £90,000 will continue until 2032, creating a constant drain on resources that could otherwise be invested in the squad.

To make matters worse, the board have handed me exactly £0 in transfer funds.

Not a penny.

Any improvements to the squad will need to come through smart free transfers, loans, youth development, and perhaps the occasional bargain hidden in the lower leagues. This is not a save where money can solve problems.

Fortunately, there is a little room for manoeuvre in the wage budget. The club currently spends just over £103,000 per week against a budget of £112,000, leaving approximately £9,000 per week available.

It's not much, but it could be the difference between signing an experienced promotion-winning veteran or being forced to rely on youth.

The Board's Demand

The board have not appointed me to oversee a rebuilding project.

They want results.

Immediately.

Their expectation is crystal clear:

Gain automatic promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.

No transition season. No gradual improvement. No settling-in period.

Promotion.

Only the top two positions will satisfy the board's ambitions.

Given the financial constraints and the quality throughout the 3. Liga, it is an aggressive target. Yet perhaps it reflects the stature of the club. Hansa Rostock are not supposed to be a third-tier side. The board expect the club to behave accordingly.

What the Fans Want

If the board are demanding, the supporters are emotional.

And rightly so.

For many supporters, success is measured by more than league tables.

Their first demand is simple:

Be competitive against St. Pauli

One of the biggest rivalries in eastern German football remains as fierce as ever. League position can be forgiven. Being humiliated by St. Pauli cannot.

The same applies to Dynamo Dresden. While encounters may not be guaranteed, supporters expect the team to compete whenever the opportunity arises.

These are the fixtures that supporters remember long after a season ends.

Interestingly, the fans are slightly more cautious than the board when it comes to league expectations. Their minimum requirement is to reach the 3. Liga promotion play-offs.

That would represent a successful season in their eyes.

The board want automatic promotion.

The fans would accept a play-off challenge.

As manager, I have to aim for the higher target.

The Road Ahead

This is not a club blessed with unlimited resources.

This is not a club capable of spending its way out of trouble.

This is a club carrying debt, operating on a tight budget, and attempting to return to a level where many believe it belongs.

The challenge is enormous.

Yet there is something fitting about that.

If Hansa Rostock are going to become the first East German club to lift the Bundesliga trophy in the modern era, the journey should be difficult. It should require patience, smart recruitment, and years of hard work.

The first step is not winning the Bundesliga.

The first step is getting out of the 3. Liga.

The board have set the target.

The supporters have made their demands.

Now it's time to build a squad capable of delivering both.

German football has always been a story of powerhouses.

From Munich to Dortmund, from Hamburg to Leverkusen, the Bundesliga's history has been dominated by clubs from the west of the country. Since German reunification in 1990, not a single club from the former East Germany has lifted the Bundesliga trophy.

Not one.

The closest challenges have come and gone. Traditional eastern clubs have fallen into financial ruin, drifted through the lower leagues, or struggled to adapt to the realities of modern football. While the west continued to prosper, the east was left chasing memories.

Yet among those memories stands one club that refuses to be forgotten.

F.C. Hansa Rostock.

Founded in 1965 on Germany's Baltic coast, Hansa became one of East Germany's most successful clubs. They won the final East German championship in 1990-91, a symbolic moment as the old footballing order disappeared forever. When reunification arrived, Hansa entered the Bundesliga carrying the hopes of an entire region.

For a time they held their own.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Rostock established themselves as a respected Bundesliga side, producing talented players and creating a fortress at the Ostseestadion. But success faded. Relegation followed. Then another. Financial struggles mounted. Years of instability left one of East Germany's proudest clubs languishing far from the top flight.

Today, Hansa Rostock are a club living on history and hope.

But history can be rewritten.

This save has one objective: to achieve what no eastern German club has managed since reunification. Not just promotion. Not just survival. Not merely European football.

The goal is to bring the Bundesliga title to East Germany.

It won't be easy. Bayern Munich remain a giant. The Bundesliga is filled with wealthy, established clubs. Rostock begin this journey far from the summit.

But every great story starts with an impossible dream.

The sleeping giant of the Baltic coast is about to wake up.

Welcome to Hansa Rostock.

Preseason

We know that we needed to build momentum right from the start of the season we took a gamble and arranged a lot of friendlies to try get some and it paid off.

6 wins, 2 draws and 2 loses which isn't bad considering but I would of much preferred a win against Lubeck but we did put out a weaker side and it cost us. On the other hand draws and a win against teams in the league above us was much more encouraging and gives us hope.

Thanks to Dortmund singing Danilho Doekhi from Union Berlin for £7million we made a small cut of £143,000 which we were then able to use to put it against the wage budget to allow us some room to sign players on loan to help us out.

We needed more depth on the wings and Cruz is the first player in the door and at this level he looks like he'll be a decent player bringing some pace down the right for us.

Next the middle of the park we bring in Cruz's team mate from Feyenoord as he is a capable player at this level and his high work rate will work well for us.

Another winger comes in with Razak joining from Sparta Rotterdam who can play down both sides of the midfield but we will look to utilise him down the left.

Expectations

As mentioned earlier the board don't expect much from us this season which is good as it allows us to start our rebuild. One other thing you can notice is we still have some wage budget left to bring in some players if we can lure them down the leagues.

August

We have two tough opening games here which could go either way after preseason but we will be looking to take 6 points in the final 2 games of the month against the youngsters of Utrecht and Ajax.

First Day in Charge

As with any other job the first day involves meeting a lot of people and learning more around the company and this job is no different as we sit down with the owner of the club as he lets us know more about the situation we will have to deal with and what the expectations are for the season ahead.

The Finances

We know its going to be bad after everything that has happened over the summer and its clear that there is zero money in the club and we're going to have to look at rebuilding the finances along with the squad.

We are already £1.4 million in the red and the projections for the end of the season make grim reading as well. We have no space in the wage budget for bringing in more players and there is a pittance to spend on transfers which could be moved to the wage budget but realistically isn't going to make a difference. There is scope to increase revenue though as we don't currently have any sponsors at the moment. The club has a bit of debt as well at just under £5m.

Thankfully though when taking a deeper dive into the debt we only have to pay back £13,030 back every month over the next 20 years so its very manageable and won't cripple us going forward.

The Expectations

We start the season on -12 point and the one good thing about that is there is no relegation from the league so it gives us the base to grow and the board have made it clear as well that its ok if we finish bottom this season as well but they would prefer it if we avoid bottom spot.

With the squad that we have which we'll come to later I fully believe that if we can get the confidence flowing then it won't be a problem, especially since I think we have a better team than some of the Jong teams (reserve teams) that are in the league thanks to some experience among the ranks that we will be able to pick points up against them at least.

The fans on the other hand expect us to finish in the top half so have much higher expectations and hopefully they won't hold that against us if we don't finish there.

The Squad

Its now time to meet the threadbare squad and then see where we will be able to promote from the youth team where needed for cover when injuries arise. We only have 9 players who will definitely be with us next season as well.

We'll now take a deeper look at the squad.

Goalkeepers

Maximilian Brüll

23 | GK

Brüll is a modern keeper: good reflexes, decent distribution, and still young enough to grow. Not elite, but reliable — and reliability is gold in the Eerste Divisie.

Connor van den Berg

24 | GK

A capable backup who may push Brüll in spells. Less polished, but physically strong. A classic “cup keeper” profile.

Defence

CentreBacks

Marcus Steffen

  22 | CB

  The most valuable defender in the squad. Strong, composed, and a natural leader. He’ll anchor the back line.

Valon Zumberi

  23 | CB

  A mobile defender with good anticipation. Ideal partner for Steffen.

Justin Bakker

  27 | CB

  The experienced head in the group. Limited on the ball but dependable.

Michel Driezen

  21 | CB

  A depth option with room to grow. Useful rotation piece.

Omar Achouitar

  20 | CB

  Raw but promising. One for the future.

Hylke van der Mast

  19 | CB

  Raw but promising. One for the future.

FullBacks

Alexander Büttner

  36 | LB 

  The veteran presence. Leadership, experience, and a cultured left foot — but limited physically.

Solomon Bonnah

  22 | RB 

  One of the most valuable players in the squad. Quick, technical, and versatile.

Nathan Markelo

  26 | RB

  A solid, wellrounded rightback. Not spectacular, but consistent.

Chiel Olde Keizer

  22 | LB

  Depth option with pace.

Midfield

Defensive Midfield

Marco Schikora

  31 | DM

  The midfield anchor. Experience, positioning, and tactical discipline.

 Central Midfield

Adam Tahaui

  20 | CM

  The most valuable midfielder in the squad. Pressresistant, technical, and a key longterm piece.

Mathijs Marschalk

  20 | CM

  A tidy passer with excellent vision. Could become the heartbeat of the team.

 Attacking Midfield

Ricardo-Felipe Schwarz

  21 | AM

  Creative spark. Can unlock defences but inconsistent.

Yuval Ranon

  19 | AM

  A young talent with flair and upside.

 Wingers

Dillon Hoogewerf

  22 | LW

  One of the highestvalue attackers. Direct, fast, and dangerous.

Nino Zonneveld

  20 | LW

  A promising wide player with good technical ability.

Strikers

Elias Huth

  28 | ST

  Experienced forward with good movement. Likely your starting No.9.

Naoufal Bannis

  23 | ST

  A strong contender for the striker role. Good finisher, good instincts.

João Pinto

  21 | ST

  Young, raw, and full of potential. A longterm project.

Next we move onto preseason and look at the start of the season

I've been looking for a new save in Football Manager for a while and not been able to settle on anything until now. After my last save with Sheffield Wednesday it showed that I'm up for a challenge and this time I'm looking to taken on an even harder one.

There are fallen giants… and then there is Vitesse.

A club founded in 1892, one of the oldest in the Netherlands, a name woven into the fabric of Dutch football. A club that once danced under European lights, produced elegant academy talents, and stood proudly as the heartbeat of Gelderland. And yet, by 2024, Vitesse had become something unthinkable: a cautionary tale.

Financial collapse. 

Licensing revoked. 

Professional status gone. 

A century of history reduced to rubble.

For many clubs, that would have been the end. A tragic footnote in Dutch football history. But Vitesse has never been a club that dies quietly. The supporters refused to let the story end. Volunteers kept the academy alive. Local businesses stepped in. The community rallied. And slowly, painfully, the club began to breathe again.

Now Vitesse re‑enters the professional pyramid in the Eerste Divisie — battered, humbled, but alive. And that is where our story begins.

 A Club With Scars — And Something Worth Saving

This isn’t a typical rebuild. This is a resurrection.

The books are clean, but the wounds are fresh. The squad is thin, the finances tight, and the expectations modest. The club’s infrastructure — once a point of pride — now feels like a relic of better days. The academy, though, remains the beating heart of Arnhem. It’s the one thing the crisis couldn’t kill.

And that’s where this save finds its identity.

This is not a story about buying stars. 

This is a story about growing them.

 The Mission: Restore Vitesse to Where They Belong

The board’s ambitions are cautious. The fans’ ambitions are emotional. Mine sit somewhere in between.

Short-term goals:

Stabilise the club in the Eerste Divisie 

Rebuild the academy pipeline 

Establish a clear tactical identity 

Reconnect the club with its community 

Long-term goals:

Return to the Eredivisie 

Reclaim Vitesse’s reputation as a youth‑development powerhouse 

Build a sustainable, modern footballing model 

Bring European nights back to Arnhem 

This isn’t a one‑season sprint. It’s a multi‑year climb, step by step, promotion, identity before glory.

 The Philosophy: Arnhem First, Youth Always

If Vitesse is going to rise again, it must be built on:

Homegrown talent 

Smart recruitment 

Tactical clarity 

Financial discipline

The academy will be the cornerstone. Every intake matters. Every 16‑year‑old is a potential chapter in this story. The goal is simple: create a squad where the spine is born in Gelderland.

The tactical approach will reflect that:

Energetic 

Technical 

Brave in possession 

Relentless without the ball 

A style that feels like Vitesse. A style that fans can believe in again.

 The Challenge Ahead

The Eerste Divisie is unforgiving. Promotion is never guaranteed. Some clubs have bigger budgets, deeper squads, and fewer scars. But none of them have what we have: a history worth fighting for.

This save isn’t about instant success. It’s about rebuilding a club’s soul.

And that’s what makes it compelling.

 Chapter One Begins

The gates of the GelreDome open once more. The yellow and black shirts return to the pitch. The supporters — bruised but loyal — take their seats with cautious hope.

This is the start of a new era.

A club reborn. 

A community reunited. 

A story waiting to be written.

Welcome to Rebuilding Vitesse — a journey from the ashes of collapse to the heights of Dutch football. The road will be long, the setbacks inevitable, but the destination is worth every step.

The only question now is: 

How far can we take them?

March 2028: Cup Control, League Setbacks, and a Powerful Response

March brought a mix of authority, frustration, and a strong finish. We opened with a confident FA Cup win over Fulham, struggled in back‑to‑back league defeats against Manchester City and Crystal Palace, then closed the month with an excellent home performance against Tottenham. A month defined by resilience and the ability to bounce back.

Sheffield Wednesday 4–1 Fulham  

FA Cup Fifth Round

A dominant cup display. Wimmer’s opener set the tone before Kjærgaard doubled the lead with a composed finish. Fulham briefly threatened through Kevin, but we responded instantly as van Persie and Shpendi rounded off a convincing win.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–4 Manchester City  

A difficult evening against a ruthless City side. Haaland struck twice early on, Vinícius added a third, and Rodri capped it off in stoppage time. Shpendi pulled one back late, but City’s quality was overwhelming.

Crystal Palace 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A frustrating defeat at Selhurst Park. Palace’s Uche scored either side of Kjærgaard’s equaliser, and despite pushing late on, we couldn’t find a second breakthrough. A tight match decided by sharp finishing.

Sheffield Wednesday 4–1 Tottenham Hotspur  

A superb response to the earlier setbacks. Van Persie struck twice with clinical finishes, Patterson added a third, and Bellingham sealed the win late on. Spurs briefly levelled through Williams‑Barnett, but we dominated throughout.

March Summary  

Youth Intake

We had a decent youth intake this year with one standout player in Ethan Crawford who at 15 already looks like he could cut it for us in some games.

He's not the fittest player in the world but he looks like he could be a great defender for us one day.

April

February 2028: Big Home Wins, Heavy Away Defeats, and a Dramatic Finish

February swung sharply between dominance at Hillsborough and struggles on the road. We opened with two superb home victories over Newcastle and Arsenal, stumbled through tough away trips to Blackburn and Liverpool, then closed the month with a dramatic late win against Manchester United. A month of extremes, but one that ended on a high.

Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Newcastle United  

A perfect start to the month. Bellingham struck inside the first minute and added a second before the break, giving us full control. Van Persie sealed the win late on as we produced one of their most complete home performances of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Arsenal  

FA Cup Fourth Round

A superb cup performance. An early own goal from Hincapié set the tone before Kjærgaard doubled the lead with a composed finish. Bellingham added a third late on as we controlled the tie from start to finish.

Blackburn Rovers 2–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

A disappointing afternoon at Ewood Park. Blackburn struck through Kargbo and Zorgane, and we struggled to create clear chances. A flat performance that never really sparked into life.

Liverpool 4–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

A difficult night at Anfield. Liverpool’s intensity proved overwhelming as Gravenberch opened the scoring and Wirtz added a brace before Barcola completed the rout. We were second best throughout.

Sheffield Wednesday 3–2 Manchester United  

A dramatic and emotional win at Hillsborough. Mainoo put United ahead, but Bellingham levelled early in the second half. Van Persie then took over, scoring twice — including a stoppage‑time winner — to seal a thrilling victory. Cunha briefly equalised late on, but we refused to be denied.

February Summary  

​

March

January 2028: Late Drama, Extra‑Time Chaos, and a Statement Win Over Norwich

January delivered a bit of everything: a steady point at Fulham, an exhausting extra‑time cup classic at Preston, two very different home performances against Forest and Norwich, a narrow defeat at Arsenal, and a controlled away win at Brentford to close the month. It was a stretch that showed our resilience, depth, and growing maturity at Premier League level.

Transfers

We let a number of players go in this window (some did leave in December but we never mentioned it last month as we thought we'd keep it for the rest of the transfers. We managed to bring in over £30 million to help boos the clubs finances and war chest which we used to bring in some new players.

St. Juste and Ndombele just weren't up to the standard for the Premier League as their legs had started to go and both wanted new big contracts so we cashed in. Diop and Almog weren't happy with their gametime so again it made sense to let the two of them go. Max Lowe was a deadline day sale as it was too big an offer not to accept it in my eyes as we'd never get that sort of money for him again.

We now look at the players coming in with a number of them being players who's contracts were expiring at the end of the season but we were able to make deals to bring them in early.

First in was a pre arranged deal for the young Serbian who looks like a promising striker even if he does have a poor first  touch I expect big things from him as he joins from IMT for £700,000

Next was a new midfielder who we agreed to sign for £7million from RB Salzburg which was annoying as I missed that his contract was expiring and if I'd held off a week or two we could of offered him a precontract deal but at least we got him which is the main thing.

Next in we sign former wonderkid Ansu Fati from Barcelona for £1.7million, he has never quite reached what was expected from him at a young age but I feel he has something to over us over the next couple of seasons.

More cover for the wings as Tella joins from Bayer Leverkusen for £2.4m, he provides cover for the right wing as we bring him with the idea of selling him for a big profit within the next season or two.

Fulham 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday

A solid point on the road. Bellingham’s composed finish put us ahead, but Fulham grew into the game and Smith Rowe’s late strike ensured the points were shared. A fair result in a balanced contest.

Preston 3–4 Sheffield Wednesday

FA Cup Third Round

A wild cup tie full of twists. Preston struck early through Smallbone and Small, but Kjærgaard and Bellingham dragged us back into it. Extra time was pure chaos: van Persie put Wednesday ahead, Smallbone equalised again, and Gómez finally settled it with a late strike. A breathless, dramatic win.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 Nottingham Forest  

A tight, tactical battle. Kjærgaard opened the scoring with a well‑placed finish, but Forest responded after the break through Jota Silva. Both sides had chances, but neither could find a winner in a cagey affair.

Sheffield Wednesday 4–0 Norwich City  

A dominant home performance. Kjærgaard set the tone early before Darvich took over with a quickfire brace. Sarmiento added a fourth after the break as we controlled every phase of the match.

Arsenal 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A narrow defeat at the Emirates. Arsenal struck through Martinelli and Rice, but Bellingham pulled one back to set up a tense finish. We pushed hard late on but couldn’t quite find the equaliser.

Brentford 0–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A composed away win to close the month. Darvich broke the deadlock with a sharp finish, and Bellingham sealed the result with a late strike. We controlled the tempo and defended with real authority.

January Summary  

February

December 2027: A Brutal Start, Chaos in the Middle, and a Powerful Finish

December was a month split cleanly in two. We opened with four straight defeats against top‑half opposition, struggling to find rhythm or defensive stability. But everything flipped in the final week: a nine‑goal thriller against Brighton sparked a surge of confidence, followed by a composed win over Bournemouth and a stunning four‑goal performance away at Tottenham. What began as a nightmare ended with real momentum.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–3 Liverpool  

A tough night against a relentless Liverpool side. An early own goal put us on the back foot, and Chiesa and Frimpong extended the visitors’ lead after the break. Collyer pulled one back late on, but Liverpool’s control was never really threatened.

Manchester City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

A narrow defeat at the Etihad. We defended bravely and kept City quiet for long spells, but Marmoush found the breakthrough shortly after half‑time. A disciplined performance that deserved more.

Sheffield Wednesday 0–2 Crystal Palace  

A flat performance at Hillsborough. Palace struck early through Nketiah and doubled their lead via Pino after the break. We struggled to create clear chances and never looked like turning the tide.

Ipswich Town 3–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A chaotic match that slipped away late. Gómez converted from the spot and Bellingham added a second as we raced into an early lead, but Ipswich fought back through Isaksen and Ramsay before Szmodics struck deep into stoppage time to complete the turnaround.

Sheffield Wednesday 5–4 Brighton  

A wild, breathless classic at Hillsborough. Abdelli opened the scoring before a flurry of goals from both sides turned the match into chaos. Gómez, Shpendi (twice), and Wimmer all struck as we edged a nine‑goal thriller that swung constantly from end to end.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Bournemouth  

A composed and confident home win. Abdelli struck early and Wimmer added a second late on as we controlled the match from start to finish. Bournemouth rarely threatened, and we looked assured throughout.

Tottenham Hotspur 1–4 Sheffield Wednesday  

A stunning away performance to close the year. Shpendi opened the scoring, and although Bergvall equalised, We took over after the break. Bellingham, Darvich, and Sarmiento all found the net in a dominant second‑half display.

December Summary  

January

November 2027: A Tough Start, a Strong Response, and a Statement Win at Old Trafford

November brought a sharp swing in momentum. We opened with a difficult night at Newcastle, responded with a composed home win over Blackburn, and then produced one of their most impressive Premier League performances to date with a dominant victory away at Manchester United. A month that started slowly ended with real authority.

Newcastle United 2–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

A frustrating evening on Tyneside. We struggled to find rhythm against a well‑organised Newcastle side and were punished by goals from Baleba and Woltemade. Despite improved spells after the break, they couldn’t break through a stubborn defence.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Blackburn Rovers  

A confident and controlled home performance. Sarr powered in the opener before Wimmer doubled the lead moments later. We dictated the tempo throughout and never looked threatened, securing a deserved clean‑sheet victory.

Manchester United 0–3 Sheffield Wednesday  

A stunning performance at Old Trafford. Abdelli opened the scoring with a composed finish, and Bellingham took over from there with a brilliant brace. We were disciplined, incisive, and ruthless — one of their most complete Premier League displays to date.

November Summary  

December

October 2027: Big Away Moments, Cup Heartbreak, and a Hard‑Earned Point

October delivered a mix of resilience, frustration, and grit. We opened with an impressive away win at Everton, pushed Chelsea all the way in a narrow defeat, went toe‑to‑toe with Forest in a cup tie decided by penalties, and closed the month with a solid draw at Villa Park. The performances showed maturity and competitiveness across all four fixtures.

Everton 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A disciplined and impressive away performance. We defended with real organisation, frustrated Everton throughout, and took their chance when it came as Shpendi finished clinically. A mature display that earned a deserved three points.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Chelsea  

A tight contest against top‑level opposition. Shpendi struck just before the break, but Chelsea responded immediately after half‑time through Caicedo and snatched the win late on via Jackson. We competed well but were punished by two decisive moments.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 Nottingham Forest

Carabao Cup Fourth Round

A dramatic cup tie. Abdelli put us ahead before Gibbs‑White equalised. The match remained tight throughout, leading to a tense penalty shootout. We converted four but fell short as Avdić’s miss proved decisive. A harsh exit after a competitive performance.

Aston Villa 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A well-earned point on the road. Shpendi struck early to give us the lead, but Villa responded through Watkins. Both sides had chances, but our defensive structure held firm to secure a solid draw.

October Summary  

November

September 2027: Cup Firepower, Mixed League Form, and Signs of Growth

September delivered a blend of explosive attacking moments and frustrating league setbacks. We opened with a dominant cup win at Grimsby, suffered a narrow defeat at Brighton, responded with a confident home victory over Brentford, and then fell just short against West Ham. The performances showed promise — especially going forward — but consistency remained the next step.

Grimsby Town 2–5 Sheffield Wednesday  

Carabao Cup Third Round

A ruthless attacking display. We tore through Grimsby with pace and precision, with Bellingham opening the scoring before Sarmiento, D’Costa, and Morrison added to the tally. Grimsby fought back through Soonsup‑Bell, but our quality in the final third was far too much.

Brighton 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A tight match decided by small margins. Brighton struck twice after the break through Hinshelwood and Rutter, and although Sarmiento pulled one back, we couldn’t find the equaliser despite a strong push late on.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Brentford  

A composed and confident home win. Shpendi broke the deadlock with a sharp finish, and Darvich doubled the lead before the break. We controlled the tempo and kept Brentford at arm’s length throughout.

Sheffield Wednesday 0–1 West Ham  

A frustrating evening at Hillsborough. We saw plenty of the ball but struggled to break down West Ham’s defensive shape. Grealish’s early strike proved decisive, and despite late pressure, we couldn’t find a way through.

September Summary  

​

October

August 2027: A Tough Start, Late Drama, and Early Signs of Fight

Our first month back in the Premier League delivered a bit of everything: a harsh welcome from Arsenal, a gritty comeback win at Norwich, a strong home showing against Fulham, a comfortable cup victory, and a seven‑goal thriller at Forest that slipped away late. The performances showed character, resilience, and flashes of real top‑flight quality — even if the results were mixed.

Sheffield Wednesday 0–2 Arsenal  

A difficult opening night against a ruthless Arsenal side. We competed well in spells but were punished by two clinical finishes from Havertz and Rice. A reminder of the step up in quality at this level.

Norwich City 1–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A brilliant comeback win. Norwich struck early through Kakita, but we stayed patient and grew into the match. Darvich levelled late on before Shpendi produced a dramatic stoppage‑time winner to seal the club’s first Premier League points of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Fulham  

A strong home performance. Smith Rowe put Fulham ahead, but we responded superbly after the break. Gómez equalised before Wimmer completed the turnaround with a composed finish. A deserved win built on second‑half intensity.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Wrexham  

Carabao Cup Second Round

A comfortable cup victory. Sarmiento struck twice in quick succession, and we controlled the match from start to finish. A professional performance that secured safe passage to the next round.

Nottingham Forest 4–3 Sheffield Wednesday  

A wild, breathless encounter. Abdelli opened the scoring, van Persie added another, and Darvich struck to level the match late on, but Forest’s Gibbs‑White produced a stunning hat‑trick before Sangaré’s dramatic stoppage‑time winner settled it. A harsh defeat after a brave attacking display.

August Summary  

Transfers

Over the month of August we continued to look for new players to come in and we managed to sign 2 new players after the Arsenal game before going mental on deadline day and bringing in a final 3

A player we were hoping to bring back earlier but were made to wait for Feyenoord to see sense and let him join us again on loan but the important thing is that a van Persie graces the Premier League again.

With the need to bolster our wider options we continued to look at the players available on free transfers and Sarmiento stood out as an ideal candidate with proven experience in England

The first of our deadline day loan signings as we agree to bring Bajcetic back to the club on loan. He made 11 appearances during our first season and he will provide cover in a number of positions for us.

​When we saw Kambwala was available for loan we had to go for him as he's a top class centre back who has pace and should help when we play against the bigger teams.

Our final deadline day loan signing and I'm nit sure how we've pulled it off as we're only covering 30% of his wages but he brings so much creativity to the middle of the park for us.

September

Season 3

Transfers Out

Well we've had a few players leave the club and a couple are probably a surprise but it was done for the good of the team as Sterling, Ingelsson and Bernard were all asking for new contracts and they were wanting to effectively quadruple their wages. I tried to offer them lower deals but they rejected them and then their started to spread the unrest across the squad so we decided to cash in on them while we could and then repair the morale issue.  Everybody we sold was for pure profit as well which helped the bank balance as we brought in just shy of £28million which we can also reinvest partly in the squad as we currently get 50% of transfer fees added to our budget

Transfers In

We've brought in 11 players by the end of preseason which is a lot in footballing terms, well unless your Nottingham Forest but we had to replace players and bring in quality. Our aim for this window was to bring in players with experience playing in England where we could and our budget would allow. We had quite a few players reject our efforts to sign them due to not having a big enough reputation and we were also beaten to a good few players as well for the same reason.

Morrison's transfer was agreed in January at a cost of £500,000 from Liverpool as we sign an exciting young talent who has plenty of room to develop into a top player for us.

We wanted another keeper to come in with experience in the Premier League and we sign Rushworth for £650,000 from Brighton and whats even better is he's happy to play backup as well

​We sign the Swiss international centre back for £4million from Montpellier . He's played 50 game for them in Ligue 2 for them over the last 2 seasons and I feel he can make the step up here.

Wimmer is the marquee signing for us this window as we bag him for only £6million from Wolfsburg as he was transfer listed but his value sky rocketed as soon as he signed for us and I feel he'll be a huge player for us this season.

Gomez was transfer listed by Brighton and we could not pass him up for £3.2million. He has premier league experience as well which is huge for us.

Malang Sarr's contract at Lens expired at the end of the season and we snapped him up on a free transfer. He sadly never made many experiences during his time at Chelsea but he will hopefully get his chance here.

Another free transfer as we sign another experienced centra back as Diop comes in and has plenty of experience at this level over his time at West Ham and Fulham where he has made 180 Premier League appearances.

We sadly couldn't find a striker with Premier League experience in our budget so we had to look further afield and we sign Shpendi from Augsburg for £4million. We hope he can get the goals as he'll lead our attack.

We felt like we still needed appropriate cover in defence as we know its going to be vital to have a strong defence this season and we sign Edwards from Wolves for £6.75million.

With Kharebashvili still not having a work permit we needed to send him out on loan again and bring in more competition in the left back position and we have signed Avdic from Crvena Zvezda for £4.5million. We see him as a big investment with having a high sell on value if he performs as expected this season.

We finally get a deal for Collyer over the line as he rejected us in both windows last season when we tried to sign him on loan but this time we get him on a permanent deal as he joins from Manchester United for £4.9million.

Now that we have all our players in we will continue to stick with the formation which got us promoted last season

We are still lacking suitable cover for a few areas and we will continue to look for players to bring in over August where we think they will improve the squad or be a suitable backup for us.

Expectations

We're not expected to do much in anything this season but we will hope for a cup run like we did in our first season as I feel we have a much better team now but it is all down to the luck of the draw.

Predicted Table

This shows how difficult the league will be this season as we're predicted to finish 2nd bottom but I'd happy take 17th this season and use it as a platform for the following season.

August

Would have preferred to start the season against somebody else but at least it gets one of the bigger teams out the way and then have a good chance for points the rest of the month

To be fair I had the fear we would lose the final game and drop into the playoffs instead but I'm happy we've gone up and now we can really look to take the club forward with the money that the Premier League brings

April–May 2027: Derby Drama, Late Goals, and a Chaotic Run‑In

April brought turbulence. Wednesday battled through a tense derby draw, followed it with two strong away wins, then hit a wobble with dropped points at home and a wild seven‑goal thriller at Stoke. May opened with a confident, goal‑filled performance that closed the season on a high. The theme: unpredictable, energetic, and full of individual brilliance.

Sheffield United 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A fiercely contested derby where both sides had their moments. Burrows put United ahead, but van Persie struck back to level things. We pushed late on but couldn’t quite find a winner in a match defined by intensity rather than clear chances.

Charlton 1–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A strong away performance. Charlton took the lead through Leaburn, but we responded with real composure. Bardghji equalised before Almog completed the turnaround late on, sealing a deserved victory.

Preston 1–3 Sheffield Wednesday  

A commanding display at Deepdale. Sterling opened the scoring, Potts added a second, and after Preston briefly threatened through Small, Potts struck again to put the game beyond doubt. We were sharp and efficient throughout.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 Luton Town  

​

A frustrating afternoon at Hillsborough. Watson put Luton ahead, but Bardghji responded almost immediately. We controlled much of the match but couldn’t find the breakthrough to turn one point into three.

Stoke City 3–4 Sheffield Wednesday  

​
 

A chaotic, breathless encounter. Stoke struck early and often, but our attack was irresistible. Sterling produced a stunning hat‑trick, Bardghji added another, and despite Stoke’s pressure, we held on for a dramatic victory.

Sheffield Wednesday 4–2 Huddersfield Town  

A confident end to the season. Bardghji struck twice, Darvich converted from the spot, and Mulattieri added another. Huddersfield battled through Taylor’s brace, but our quality in the final third proved decisive.

April–May Summary  

Budgets

With us going to the Premier League then we have been given a decent war chest to be able to stay up next season and of course we will continue to utilise the free transfer market as well. Our finances  are relatively healthy and will take a hit when we start signing players but we will look to boost it with selling players as well.

March 2027: Sharp Starts, Setbacks, and a Confident Finish

March was short but eventful. We opened with a strong home win over Middlesbrough, stumbled away at Southampton despite a spirited second‑half push, and then closed the month with a composed, professional victory against Derby. The theme was simple: when we controlled the tempo, we looked assured — and when we didn’t, the margins showed.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Middlesbrough  

A bright start set the tone, with us taking control early through Bardghji and van Persie. Middlesbrough pulled one back through Strelec, but we managed the game well and protected their lead with maturity.

Southampton 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A difficult evening on the south coast. Southampton struck twice before the break through Hirst and Manning, and although Darvich pulled one back, we couldn’t quite find the equaliser despite a much improved second half.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Derby County  

A controlled and confident home performance. Abdelli opened the scoring shortly after the restart, and Darvich doubled the lead from the spot. We dictated the tempo and never looked in danger.

March Summary  

Youth Intake

Three elite players coming through the intake but sadly none of them look like world beaters but we can hopefully get them into the first team squad in a couple of seasons and see how they develop.

The Run In

February 2027: Swings, Setbacks, and a Five‑Goal Finale

February was a month of sharp contrasts. We opened with a resilient home win, stumbled through a difficult run of defeats, steadied themselves with a battling draw against Leeds, and then exploded back into form with a dominant five‑goal performance to close the month. Inconsistency was the theme — but the ceiling on this team remains clear.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Burnley  

A composed home performance where we recovered well after conceding first. Almog levelled from the spot and Mulattieri completed the turnaround, with the side managing the game confidently once ahead.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Everton  

A frustrating defeat shaped by a slow start. Everton struck twice before the break, and although van Persie pulled one back, we couldn’t find the equaliser despite a much improved second half.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Leeds United  

FA Cup Fourth Round

A tense cup tie that slipped away. Darvich converted from the spot to bring us level, but Leeds regained control through another penalty. A late red card for St. Juste ended hopes of a comeback.

Oxford United 1–3 Sheffield Wednesday  

A superb away performance defined by van Persie’s hat‑trick. We were ruthless in transition and controlled the match from the early stages, with Oxford unable to cope with the attacking intensity.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–2 Leeds United  

A breathless start saw Abdelli and Bardghji fire us into an early lead, but Leeds grew into the match and clawed their way back. A draw felt fair, though we felt we could have killed the game earlier.

Sheffield Wednesday 5–0 QPR  

A dominant performance from start to finish. Potts’ brace set the tone, van Persie added another, and further goals from Almog and Cozier‑Duberry capped off a ruthless display. One of our most complete performances of the season.

February Summary  

March

January 2027: Edges, Fightbacks, and a Cup Kick‑Start

January was a month of tight margins. We opened with two home wins, battled through a draw at Leicester, hit a setback against Blackburn, then steadied themselves with a gritty away win at Watford before closing with a lively draw in Wales. The overall theme: resilience, even when performances weren’t always smooth.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 West Brom  

A strong start to the year. Sterling struck first with a composed finish, but Melia equalised just before the break. Van Persie restored the lead with a clinical effort, and we managed the closing stages well.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Cardiff City  

FA Cup Third Round

A cup tie that burst into life late on. Grieves put Cardiff ahead (63’), but Wednesday responded instantly: Heaven levelled (70’) and Mulattieri completed the turnaround a minute later (71’). A rapid, ruthless comeback.

Leicester City 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A well-earned point at the King Power. Mulattieri struck first after a slick move, but Page equalised late. A balanced contest where a draw felt fair.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Blackburn Rovers  

A frustrating home defeat. Guðjohnsen opened the scoring, Bannan equalised from the spot, but Cantwell’s penalty swung it back Blackburn’s way. A tight game decided by fine margins.

Watford 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A gritty away win. Ingelsson struck early and we defended with discipline for the remaining 75 minutes. Not glamorous, but highly effective.

Swansea City 2–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A lively draw in Wales. Ndombele stunned Swansea with a goal inside two minutes, Cooper equalised, Almog restored the lead, and Inoussa levelled again. A fair result in an open, entertaining match.

 January Summary  

Transfers

We let got of a number of players who were taking up high wages and were no longer regular players so it made sense to move them on while their stock was high to do the best by the club. We moved on 9 players bringing in just over £16million

We now look at the players coming in.

First in is young left back Saba Kharebashvili from Dinamo Tbilisi for £3million. He did fail to get his work permit so he has been sent out on loan to Metz for the remainder of the season.

Nathan Patterson then comes in from Everton for £1.8million to who brings in plenty of experience and was a regular for Everton this season so it was strange they let him go but he adds a lot of pace down the right.

Roony Bardghji had a great spell with us last season and he's struggled for game time since going back to Barcelona so we're happy to have him back for our promotion push.

Our final transfer of the window as former Barcelona wonderkid joins from Stuttgart for £2.5million comes in to bolster our midfield which has been ravaged by injury this month. 

February

December 2026: A Month of Edges, Narrow Margins, and Hard‑Earned Points

December was a grind. Eight matches in 27 days pushed the squad to its limits, and the results reflected it: tight wins, late heartbreaks, and a couple of bruising defeats. We showed resilience, especially away from home, but inconsistency in front of goal kept the month from becoming something bigger.

Birmingham City 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A fast start undone by a rough second half. Van Persie struck early, but Birmingham flipped the match with two goals in two minutes — Willumsson and Mehmeti (who we tried and failed to sign in the summer). We couldn’t recover.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 Preston  

A controlled home win. Williams‑Barnett broke the deadlock just after the restart with a clean finish. We managed the game well and kept Preston at arm’s length.

Luton Town 2–3 Sheffield Wednesday  

A wild one at Kenilworth Road. Sterling opened the scoring, Ingelsson added a second, and Abdelli struck what proved to be the winner in stoppage time. Adebayo’s brace kept Luton alive, but we held on.

Huddersfield Town 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A gritty away win. Van Persie struck early and the defence did the rest. Not pretty, but effective.

Bristol City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

A late sucker punch. Riis scored in stoppage time to hand us a painful defeat after a tight, scrappy match.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Birmingham City  

A strong response to the earlier defeat. Van Persie and Almog found the net, with Fujimoto briefly equalising. We controlled the second half and saw it out well.

Sheffield Wednesday 0–1 Millwall  

A frustrating Boxing Day. Ivanović struck early, and Millwall sat deep for the remaining 70 minutes. We pushed but couldn’t break them down.

Bolton Wanderers 0–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

A cagey stalemate to close the month. Few chances for either side, and welooked fatigued after the festive schedule.

December Summary  

January

November 2026: Control, Composure, and a Quiet Surge Up the Table

November delivered exactly what a promotion‑chasing side needs: consistency. Three wins, two draws, and no defeats — we tightened up defensively, found timely goals, and showed they could manage games with maturity. Abdelli emerged as the month’s standout, while the midfield dictated tempo throughout.

Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Oxford United  

A comeback win built on Abdelli’s brilliance. A Max Lowe own goal put us behind, but Abdelli struck twice with composed finishes to turn the match around. A confident home performance.

Leeds United 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A hard‑fought draw at Elland Road. Ingelsson put us ahead with a clever finish in first‑half stoppage time, but Ramazani equalised late. A point that felt fair.

QPR 0–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A controlled away win. Dunne’s own goal broke the deadlock, and Abdelli sealed it in stoppage time. We managed the game superbly and never looked threatened.

Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 Charlton  

A frustrating evening at Hillsborough. We dominated possession but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Charlton defended deep and held on for a point.

Sheffield Wednesday 3–2 Stoke City  

A chaotic but thrilling win. Thomas stunned Wednesday early, but Almog equalised. Manhoef restored Stoke’s lead, only for Mulattieri and Ndombele to complete the turnaround. A gritty, emotional victory.

November Summary  

Transfers In

We continue to look to stregnthen the team anyway possible and we continue to look at the free market and we sign two huge players for the Championship after their deals were torn up during the summer and then nobody else was willing to take a chance on them apart from us.

Jerry St. Juste comes in and adds quality at the back as he can play in the middle and at right back to add depth there as well.

A huge signing for the club as we take a gamble on a 31 year old Sterling who has showed plenty of skill over the years as he got 82 caps for England over his playing career and for only £10,000 a week its a no brainer to bring him into the squad.

December

yeah sorry that was my mistake, too use to them being at Goodison the last 132 years haha.

Yeah been a much better season so far and looking forward to see how the rest of it goes

October 2026: Big Wins, Narrow Losses, and a Cup Exit

October was a month of contrasts. We opened with a ruthless demolition of Millwall, stumbled at Derby, steadied themselves with two strong home displays, and then bowed out of the Carabao Cup in a tight contest at Newcastle. The response at Blackburn to close the month showed character and resilience.

Millwall 0–4 Sheffield Wednesday  

A perfect away performance. Williams‑Barnett set the tone early, Potts doubled the lead, Mulattieri added a third, and Almog finished the job deep into stoppage time. Total control from start to finish.

Derby County 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A frustrating defeat. Brewster stunned us inside the first minute, and although Mulattieri equalised with a sharp finish, Clarke’s late header snatched the points for Derby.

West Brom 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday  

A hard‑earned draw. Potts struck early with a composed finish, but Johnston levelled for West Brom just before the break. Both sides had chances, but neither found a winner.

Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Bolton  

A confident home win. Van Persie was electric, scoring twice, and Potts added another in first‑half stoppage time. Bolton never recovered from the early pressure.

Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 Leicester City  

A tight contest. Page put Leicester ahead early, but Almog equalised with a tidy finish. We pushed late on but couldn’t find the winner.

Newcastle United 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday  

Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Cup exit at St James’ Park. Wissa’s strike proved decisive in a tight match where we defended well but struggled to create clear chances.

Blackburn Rovers 1–2 Sheffield Wednesday  

A strong finish to the month. Abdelli put us ahead, Wharton equalised, but van Persie delivered the winner with a clinical strike. A gritty, deserved away victory.

October Summary  

November