We thought we knew football, and like any expert, we risked looking foolish with our predictions for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. As it turns out, some of our forecasts were spot on, while others missed the mark entirely.
Here’s a retrospective on our bold theses for the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, including daring predictions about Eintracht Frankfurt, Niko Kovac, and Nick Woltemade. Let’s see which ones came true.
Jobe Bellingham to Immediately Become BVB’s Undisputed Leader
By Jochen Tittmar
Jobe Bellingham’s initial placement on the bench in a lackluster DFB-Pokal win against Essen for BVB was due to a dental operation, not a struggle for a starting spot under Niko Kovac. His current ‘main competitor,’ Felix Nmecha, showcased a rather uninspired performance, underscoring Bellingham’s immediate importance.
I am convinced the young Englishman will quickly become a cornerstone of this somewhat disjointed team and an indispensable player. Since his arrival, Bellingham has impressed everyone at BVB with his maturity, personality, and clarity, traits he is expected to translate onto the pitch swiftly, much like his brother Jude did after his move to Borussia.
Bellingham is poised to rapidly emerge as the team’s undisputed leader, driving them forward with immense energy, passion, work rate, and fighting spirit. The only lingering question for me is his optimal position. Like many in Dortmund’s squad, he is neither a clear defensive midfielder nor an attacking midfielder.
Kovac will likely experiment with him in a more offensive role initially. Should the issues in defensive midfield persist, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bellingham deployed there. Regardless, he is set to follow a similar unique path as his brother and will eventually fetch Borussia a handsome sum.
Eintracht Frankfurt to Finish as Runner-Up
By Justin Kraft
Beyond Bayern Munich, there’s a similar level of disarray as at the record champions. The transfer market is sluggish, and financially strong competitors from England and Saudi Arabia are making it harder to strengthen squads and retain key players.
Bayer Leverkusen faces a new beginning, BVB has been searching for one for years without success, and other contenders for Champions League places are faltering. This presents a significant opportunity for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Of course, SGE has lost important stalwarts. Omar Marmoush departed in winter, and Hugo Ekitike is now also gone. This is a severe blow, and it remains to be seen if they can compensate for these losses. However, Frankfurt also retains significant continuity within a proven core structure. This could be their trump card, especially as Leipzig, for instance, also needs to restructure.
If Frankfurt starts the season well, much is possible. In the end, even the runner-up position is within reach.
By 2026, Nick Woltemade Will Attract €30 Million Offers
By Daniel Buse
The protracted transfer saga of the summer has centered on Nick Woltemade. As early as late June – approximately two months ago – FC Bayern Munich had agreed with VfB Stuttgart striker on a transfer. So far, so good from Bayern’s perspective. However, Stuttgart proved to be a stumbling block for the German record champions, as they were unwilling to part with their attacker and did not budge from their alleged €75 million demand for Woltemade.
In a year, the Swabians will regret their stance immensely, as no one will be willing to pay figures like the €65 million Bayern has reportedly offered for Woltemade. This isn’t because he will suddenly forget how to play football. Rather, after a solid but not outstanding season from the striker, the hottest prospect on the Bundesliga transfer market will become a lukewarm one, commanding a correspondingly lower price.
Following the typical case of a player getting their head turned, Woltemade will struggle to recapture his previous ease, and transfer rumors will resurface periodically. Whether FC Bayern will still be interested in him in a year is a significant question. However, even if other clubs come knocking at Stuttgart’s door, the VfB will never receive as much money for their star as they could have this summer.
Erik ten Hag to Be Gone by Winter Break at the Latest in Leverkusen
By Christian Guinin
With Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky, Jonathan Tah, and Odilon Kossounou, Bayer 04 Leverkusen has lost virtually the entire foundation of their championship season this summer. Even more significant, in my opinion, is the departure from the dugout: after just over two and a half years, Xabi Alonso is leaving for his former club, Real Madrid.
One might argue that simply replacing a coach who led the historically title-starved Werkself to three trophies in his tenure would be a difficult undertaking. However, the choice of Erik ten Hag as his successor is likely to have further dampened the excitement of many B04 fans for the new season.
In his previous role at Manchester, ten Hag lacked any of the qualities necessary to be competitive at the highest level. Under his leadership, United suffered not only from a lack of a fundamental playing philosophy but also from his demeanor in difficult situations and his communication within the team, as evidenced by the situations involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, which were far from ideal.
I simply do not believe that a coach who, apart from his moderately successful time at Ajax, has not truly excelled anywhere else, can lead a completely reassembled team to play successful football. Therefore, it will be difficult for Leverkusen to qualify for the Champions League again. And Ten Hag? He will be gone by the winter break at the latest.
FC Augsburg to Face Relegation with Sandro Wagner
By David Heermann
FC Augsburg has always been a team that flies under the radar, yet consistently finishes 15th or higher. But that era is over! Augsburg will face relegation. And there’s a reason for this: I don’t believe in the hype surrounding Sandro Wagner.
Certainly, Wagner is not the worst coach. However, he is not a new Julian Nagelsmann who can revolutionize things from the ground up or implement a brilliant playing idea. Wagner strikes me as a pragmatic and emotional coach capable of igniting a club. But can an FCA truly be ignited?
The atmosphere in Augsburg’s stadium isn’t bad, but on the other hand, it’s hard to imagine the WWK Arena becoming as emotionally charged as, for example, Millerntor or Stadion an der Alten Försterei.
Given that the squad is by no means outstanding and, in my opinion, half the league could be drawn into a relegation battle, this thesis is certainly bold but not entirely unrealistic.
Bazoumana Touré to Move to England in 2026 for at Least €30 Million
By Dennis Klose
Bazoumana Touré joined TSG Hoffenheim from Hammarby IF last winter for ten million Euros. Many wondered at the time: so much money for an 18-year-old from the Swedish league?
Hoffenheim’s managing director, Andreas Schicker, asked fans for patience with the Ivorian winger: «He will be given the necessary time to acclimatize peacefully here in Kraichgau and take the next steps in his sporting development.»
The second half of the season showed that Touré had no time to waste: 13 appearances, three assists, and a significant contribution to avoiding relegation were the result. This season, the now 19-year-old has become a permanent fixture in the starting lineup, even with Hoffenheim’s offensive department temporarily boasting 14 players.
Some people haven’t even noticed the speedy player yet. But ‘Bazou,’ as he’s known within the team, will continue his rapid development and move to England in the summer of 2026 for at least 30 million Euros. Fast, dynamic players are, as is well known, highly sought after in the Premier League.
Niko Kovac Will Not Survive the Season as BVB Coach
By Justin Kraft
A sluggish transfer market, a past second half of the season that masked the problems – everything is in place at BVB once again for a disastrous season. As much as Niko Kovac was underestimated at the start, he is now being overestimated. Kovac is good at instilling a basic mentality in a team, focusing on the classic German virtues. However, there’s a reason he hasn’t stayed long at any club.
The BVB coach generally wears out relatively quickly. This happens when the predominantly mental performance no longer translates into results because other areas are lacking. To achieve long-term success in Dortmund, he needs to develop a playing identity and strengthen possession structures – something he failed to do even with a strong squad at FC Bayern.
Now he has to work with a squad whose composition raises many questions, due to a past without a clear direction and a bumpy summer of 2025.
Perhaps Kovac will surprise everyone again and prove adaptable compared to the past. More likely, however, will be this scenario: BVB will once again have an extremely mixed first half of the season, clinging for too long to the idea that it worked out in the last second half – even though it was evident even then that there was much room for improvement creatively – and then react very late in the season. That reaction will be Kovac no longer being on the sidelines.
Deniz Undav to Be Top Scorer with Over 25 Goals
By Aleksander Swiatek
For the entire summer, there was essentially only one topic surrounding VfB Stuttgart: What will Nick Woltemade do? But that will soon change, because in the next nine months, one man will become the new face of a VfB team playing brilliantly once again: Deniz Undav.
The powerful striker will finally stay fit this season and instill fear in the Bundesliga with his shot power. Harry Kane? Serhou Guirassy? Woltemade?
No one will be able to match Undav’s perfect blend of physicality and cunning, leading him to be crowned top scorer with at least 25 goals. Naturally, suitors will be lining up after the season.
Ole Werner to Be the First Manager Sacked This Season
By Aleksander Swiatek
If you listen to fans and experts, there are several teams in trouble again this season. But it won’t be Leverkusen, Bremen, or HSV causing the first collapse (I’ll draw a veil over the first round of the DFB-Pokal), but RB Leipzig.
With Benjamin Sesko gone, the main goalscorer, and Xavi Simons seemingly with his mind already on the Premier League, the absence of Yussuf Poulsen will also be felt – though perhaps less in terms of sporting impact and more in the dressing room. I also see a big question mark over the coaching position.
Yes, Ole Werner laid the foundation for promotion in Kiel and established Bremen firmly in the Bundesliga. But it’s no secret that the standards in the north of the country aren’t as high as for a club backed by a billionaire energy drink manufacturer.
Especially since the same corporation has now appointed one of the most successful football coaches of the century as ‘Head of Global Soccer.’ Werner will therefore have little time to settle in at his first top-tier club.
Here’s how it will unfold: Werner will receive a harsh welcome in Munich against Leipzig on the opening day and secure a maximum of one win in the following six games. By the time HSV takes three points from Leipzig on the 7th matchday, Jürgen Klopp’s beaming white-toothed smile will fade – and RB will be the first club of the season to sack its coach.
Luis Díaz to Score More Points Than Michael Olise
By David Heermann
My point here is not that Michael Olise will have a bad season. He will continue to be one of Bayern’s biggest difference-makers. However, I believe Luis Díaz is underestimated.
Yes, his statistics at FC Liverpool were never exceptionally good. But that was also due to Mohamed Salah, who consistently put up astronomical numbers in both goals and assists. Nevertheless, the Colombian was one of the pillars of a strong team that became champions last season.
Díaz has the potential to provide many assists and goals. Especially since many teams in the Bundesliga are much easier to play against than some of the relegation candidates in the Premier League. Olise also comes from an incredible year, but along with Harry Kane, he was Bayern’s only reliable offensive star last season.
I can well imagine a small internal competition for scorer points between the two players. And Díaz will win it in the end.
Merlin Polzin to Magic HSV into Europe
By Ole Labes
When this thesis first came to mind, the season start was still four weeks away, and HSV’s pre-season matches still felt like a post-promotion hangover. Admittedly, everything that has happened since does not necessarily inspire hope for a glorious European future for Hamburg.
But: The wave of euphoria after finally achieving promotion will not be broken in Hamburg, even despite a weak pre-season. The transfers look promising, with Nicolai Remberg from Kiel and Nicolas Capaldo from RB Salzburg strengthening the midfield to Bundesliga level. Rayan Philippe almost single-handedly kept Braunschweig in the 2. Liga, and Yussuf Poulsen brings considerable experience to the Volksparkstadion.
Much will depend, in particular, on Jordan Torunarigha, who was signed as the new defensive leader. The 28-year-old still appeared completely out of sorts recently, rather than stabilizing the defense. For a successful season, the center-back must prove that he has been consistently underestimated during his years in Belgium.
Ultimately, coach Merlin Polzin must also prove that he is a Bundesliga manager. Polzin has the full backing of the fans, players, and club leadership. The 34-year-old has given the team a new identity and instilled confidence in them. With Jean-Luc Dompe and set-piece specialist Miro Muheim, the left flank of Hamburg’s team is not to be trifled with in the Bundesliga.
The top 6 in the Bundesliga are FC Bayern, BVB, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Leverkusen. However, much is open behind them: With the right mix of euphoria, the cauldron of the Volksparkstadion, and the magic of Polzin, something can happen – even if the pre-season made this thesis seem completely far-fetched.
Haris Tabaković to Score Double Digits for Gladbach
By David Heermann
Yes, Gladbach’s loan striker Haris Tabaković showed in the cup that he is still struggling. Nevertheless, I believe that the Bosnian will be supplied so well by players like Kevin Stöger, Robin Hack, and Franck Honorat that he can even make Tim Kleindienst temporarily forgotten.
Tabaković has shown what a finisher he can be at Austria Wien (42 competitive games, 21 goals) and Hertha BSC (39 competitive games, 25 goals). His problem last season? He played for an absolute chaotic club.
There was no consistency at Hoffenheim; almost every player switched between the stands, the bench, and the starting lineup. The performance of his teammates was often miserable as well. How is one supposed to settle into a new club under such circumstances?
I believe the conditions for a center forward at Borussia are not so bad, as the passing and set-piece quality from midfield can create chances. If Tabaković receives good balls, he will score.
Werder Bremen to Finish Behind HSV and Get Relegated
By Tim Ursinus
HSV and Bremen have not exactly covered themselves in glory so far. Both squads are unbalanced – a relegation battle is practically guaranteed! However, SVW gives an even more chaotic impression. I believe Werder will ultimately finish behind their arch-rival and be relegated to the second division – a thesis I held long before their unsurprising cup exit.
Now, nerves are frayed. Captain Marco Friedl spoke of considerable ‘pressure on the Kassl’ and criticized Sporting Director Clemens Fritz for his squad planning – and rightly so! Hardly any departures have been compensated for, and there’s no talk of squad depth. There’s an urgent need for action, especially in attack, following the departure of Marvin Ducksch. The weeks-long absence of newcomer Maximilian Wöber and the goalkeeping turmoil have caused further unrest on the Weser.
Although Fritz has announced further signings, the prolonged hesitation is more than questionable. The task for new coach Horst Steffen in his first Bundesliga season would have been challenging enough even with a calmer transfer phase.
While the far-too-small squad still needs to adapt to the new approach, Steffen still needs to convey his ideas to the urgently needed reinforcements. The main goal of any team, to gel before the first matchday, is simply not being met.
Who knows how long it will take for the pieces to fall into place. If the opener also goes wrong, the ‘kettle’ might just explode soon. And once in a downward spiral, it’s not so easy to get out. It will undoubtedly be a very long season for Werder – or as Mats Hummels’ girlfriend Nicola would say: ‘Ach Brrreemen.’
Dzenan Pejcinovic to Score Over Ten Goals for Wolfsburg and Aim for the DFB
By Ole Labes
Dzenan who? If you don’t follow the youth leagues or Fortuna Düsseldorf from last year closely, the name Dzenan Pejcinovic is probably unfamiliar. However, the German U-national player could become the number one striker for VfL Wolfsburg in the new season – and then national coach Julian Nagelsmann should keep his eyes open.
The attacker joined the Autostadt from FC Augsburg as a 17-year-old for 1.25 million Euros. He possesses the perfect physique and, above all, an even more perfect profile for a modern number nine: 1.90 meters tall, a clinical finisher with both feet and his head, plus a certain technical finesse.
Oberligist SV Hemlingen already witnessed these skills in the first round of the DFB-Pokal with three goals and one assist – even against such an opponent, a striker must score four times. Then, ten goals in the Bundesliga are at least within reach!
In the competition with Jonas Wind, Pejcinovic seems to have the upper hand. Top scorer Mohamed Amoura from last season is likely to leave the Wolves. Everything is set for Pejcinovic’s first season as a regular starter.
With his profile, he could also play a role in the DFB team. Especially the established strikers Tim Kleindienst and Niclas Füllkrug need to confirm their performances. Why not bring a talent along as a joker towards the World Cup?
Lennart Karl to Achieve Ten Scorer Points for FC Bayern
By Justin Kraft
So much is being discussed this summer regarding FC Bayern Munich’s squad. One reason for the supposed lack of squad depth is that the youth from the Campus are chronically underestimated – even by their own management. Otherwise, some of the failures of talents in recent years are inexplicable.
It’s good that Bayern has now decided on a cost-cutting measure and, besides that, isn’t really united on what they actually want. Because this results in a unique opportunity for Lennart Karl. The 17-year-old will seize it and collect at least ten scorer points in the Bundesliga.
He has it all: talent, self-confidence, and a carefree attitude that is needed in Munich to navigate all the noise that happens around Säbener Straße. Him now taking the seventh or even sixth roster spot in offense will pay off for FC Bayern.