Augsburg resurgent under Manuel Baum with help of shrewd January business
After just three wins and 10 points from their opening 12 Bundesliga games of 2025/26, Augsburg were in danger of being dragged into relegation dogfight. However, the return of Manuel Baum, as well as some shrewd January transfer additions, have seen the Fuggerstädter become the league’s form side…
The appointment of Sandro Wagner as head coach was meant to take FC Augsburg to the next level, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. While the former Bayern Munich striker masterminded some impressive performances, especially at the start of the season as his side defeated Freiburg and narrowly lost 3-2 to his ex-employers, consistency and results became issues.
As such, Augsburg turned to a familiar face in Baum. Having already coached the team from 2016 to 2019, he moved from his role as Head of Development and Football Innovation to take the helm in December. Despite a 2-0 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in his first match back, no victories in the next five followed – but good things come to those who wait.
Watch: Augsburg 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen - highlights
Matchday 19’s visit to the Allianz Arena was something of a free hit. After all, Bayern were setting the pace at the top of the table, winning 16 and drawing two of their opening 18 games as they looked set to challenge Bayer Leverkusen’s status as the only side to go an entire Bundesliga season unbeaten.
Nevertheless, that sense of freedom perhaps helped Augsburg register their best performance of the campaign as they departed the home of their Bavarian neighbours with all three points. While they were up against it in the first half, they were well worth the victory thanks to the problems they caused in the second period.
Before the game, Baum had said, “Looking five years ahead, there are a few days you always like to remember. I think a 'do-you-remember-day' like that would be cool. If we could create it, surpass ourselves, and achieve something extraordinary."
Watch: Bayern Munich 1-2 Augsburg - highlights
The biggest test after such an afternoon is following it up – many have tried and failed. Augsburg, though, have managed to make such displays the rule rather than the exception. The win over Bayern is one of five from their last six Bundesliga fixtures, with their 15 points over that period more than any other side in the division.
It is not only Baum’s reappointment that has helped turn Augsburg’s fortunes, though. In an attempt to reignite their season, the club made a number of signings during the January transfer window, and their business has already paid dividends.
Arthur Chaves, for example, made just four appearances for Hoffenheim during the first half of the season before joining Augsburg on loan at the start of the year. He made an immediate impact, scoring against Bayern on his debut, and although he has not featured in the past three games, he has already made his mark.
Already a popular figure, Michael Gregoritsch’s reputation at the WWK Arena has only grown since his winter return. The Austria international has three goals in eight Bundesliga appearances so far, including a match-winning brace in the victory over FC St. Pauli, and could even envisage making his loan move from Brondby permanent, recently saying, “It's cool that it's not just a romantic idea, but that it actually works."
Rodrigo Ribeiro, meanwhile, has two goals in four appearances since his temporary switch from Sporting Lisbon, and Yannik Keitel has added an extra defensive option following his move from VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season.
It is a man who was already at Augsburg before the latest transfer merry-go-round who has been particularly important, though. Having failed to score or provide an assist before Matchday 17 in the Bundesliga this term, Alexis Claude-Maurice has four and three respectively in his last eight outings.
All in all, Baum has proven to be a roaring success, prompting questions about his long-term future. Having initially joined on a three-game basis, he was later appointed until the end of the season. Could another extension be on the cards?
The man himself certainly hasn’t ruled it out. “At the end of the season, we’ll definitely sit down again. And then it’s always about what the best roles are within the club,” he explained after his side’s Matchday 24 win over Cologne.
“I’m simply happy to be here, regardless of the role. This one is obviously incredibly fun right now because we’ve won again. I honestly don’t care what role it ends up being. The main thing is that we can continue working together in this setup.”
Regardless of what happens beyond May, both he and his players are enjoying their jobs right now. And, with just nine points separating them from the top six, they may be dreaming of an unlikely European push. That would be a big ask, of course, but should they continue in this vein of form, anything is possible.
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