At just 29, Hoffenheim’s Julina Naglesmann is the youngest active coach in the Bundesliga. (Photo: Getty Images)
Much of the fuss this season has been about RB Leipzig. Founded only in 2009, die Bullen were playing in the regional tiers only a couple of seasons back and have risen to the Bundesliga in unprecedented fashion.
They also happen to lead the league. Thanks to a 13 match unbeaten streak, the so-called upstarts also enjoy a three point gap over reigning champs Bayern Munich. So far, RB Leipzig’s run is the longest achieved for a newly promoted side. In addition, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are the first team from the former East Germany to be on top of the Bundesliga table in 25 years.
But as all eyes have been trained on Leipzig, they are not the only undefeated team in this season’s Bundesliga. The other? Not Bayern Munich. Or Borussia Dortmund. Or Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, or Borussia Moenchengladbach.
No, rather they are a team who barely avoided the drop last term: Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim: The Great Escape
Last season, Hoffenheim finished in 15th. They escaped a relegation spot by four points and avoided the dreaded play-offs by just one. And they made a shocking and unprecedented managerial change back in February. Markus Gidsol had been replaced by Huub Stevens, who then resigned due to health issues. At that point, they were in 17th, which made their selection of Julian Naglesmann even more shocking.
Why? For starters, he had zero managerial experience at the senior level. And second, put him alongside a group of players and one would have trouble distinguishing him from his squad. That’s because at the time of his appointment, he was just 28 years old. It goes without saying that not much was expected of him and Hoffenheim.
From battling relegation to vying for a European football spot
But they managed to escape relegation – albeit barely. Coming into his first full season, most figured that the best Naglesmann could do was to perhaps secure a upper-spot in the lower half of the table. Maybe even make a push for a Europa League berth. Yet, 13 rounds into the season, Hoffenheim have by surpassed expectations. This season has been one of big surprises in Germany, and given Bayern’s recent monopoly over the domestic landscape, it’s definitely a welcome change for neutral fans.
As Leipzig continue to hold off the chasing pack, Hoffenheim continue to plug along quietly. They right now are in contention for a Champions League spot. Sure, critics may say “Well, there have been a lot of draws”. And they are right. Naglesmann’s side have drawn seven out of their 13 games, including a high-scoring 4-4 affair with Mainz and a one-all stalemate against Bayern Munich. But there have been some notable wins, including a 3-0 rout of Bayer Leverkusen and a hard-fought 1-0 result against Hertha Berlin, who themselves have been very strong this term.
Furthermore, a draw is always better than a loss. Just look at Juventus during the 2011-2012 season. The Bianconeri won the Serie A title by a gap of four points. More significant, they became the first Italian side to complete a 38 game season sans defeat, and a whopping 15 matches resulted in draws. Hoffenheim do have quite a ways to go, but their progress so far has been highly encouraging.
Next up for them is a tie with Eintracht Frankfurt – yet another side who have been quite impressive in what’s shaping up to be a very interesting 2016/2017 Bundesliga campaign. Hoffenheim are currently backed at 11/8 to come out on top in what could be a closely contested affair. All in all, regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: Hoffenheim have been truly one of the inspirational sides in what has been a very interesting Bundesliga campaign thus far.
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