Can Mainz pull off another great escape?
Bundesliga basement boys Mainz may be six points adrift of safety approaching the season's halfway mark, but it's far from a new scenario for them, as they look to take inspiration from recent campaigns in their latest quest to secure their top-flight status.
The 05ers occupied the relegation zone in 2020/21 and 2023/24 heading into the winter break, where they again find themselves in 2025/26. But as the Carnival club have shown previously, they have a habit of digging themselves into a predicament before bursting out to secure their top-flight status, earning them a reputation as one of the league’s greatest escape artists.
Ever-present in the Bundesliga since their promotion back to the big time in 2009, Mainz have revelled in the highs - securing European qualification in 2011, 2016 and 2025 - but have equally come close to returning to Bundesliga 2, where they haven’t featured since Jürgen Klopp's side were relegated in 2007.
Watch: Mainz's 2024 relegation rollercoaster
Rock bottom with six points after 12 matchdays this year, Mainz reacted and relieved Bo Henriksen of his duties as head coach. The popular Dane had himself sparked an immediate turnaround upon his appointment in February 2024, guiding the 05ers to 23 points from a possible 39 and overseeing their rise from 17th to the safety of 13th place.
He would then take Mainz to Europe, securing a sixth-placed finish in 2024/25 and earning a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
However, after just one win in 12 Bundesliga games, Mainz found themselves languishing at the wrong end of the Bundesliga table, resulting in Henriksen’s dismissal. “Unfortunately, this season we weren’t able to play the same successful football, even though we fought for it right to the end,” the 50-year-old said upon his departure.
Benjamin Hoffmann took charge of the 1-0 defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 13, but managing director Christian Heidel moved quickly to appoint Urs Fischer, who returns to management after leaving Union Berlin in November 2023.
“Urs has proven at every stage of his coaching career that he can organise and develop teams, while also winning over dressing rooms with his calm yet empathetic approach,” said Heidel.
Fischer’s sole objective will be to secure their Bundesliga safety, just like his predecessor Henriksen, and before him, Bo Svensson.
Five years ago, with just one win in their opening 14 Bundesliga games under Achim Beierlorzer, Jan-Moritz Lichte and Jan Siewert, Heidel turned towards Svensson, who spent seven years at the club as a player before a short stint as an assistant. Five points adrift of safety and four off the play-off, the Dane was appointed ahead of Matchday 15 after Mainz collected six points from a possible 42.
Despite losing his first game 2-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt, he managed to secure the club’s Bundesliga status. But it wasn’t quite plain sailing for Svensson, who guided Mainz to one of the greatest escapes in Germany’s top flight.
After spending all but two of the previous 25 matchdays in the bottom three, Mainz recorded back-to-back wins for the first time of the season against Freiburg and Hoffenheim in March.
With three wins in 10 games to start his tenure, Svensson only lost one of his final 11 in 2020/21, guiding Mainz to six victories, including notable wins against champions Bayern Munich and Champions League side Wolfsburg as they turned their season around. A relatively inexperienced head coach, Svensson’s appointment was a bold one, but it paid off for Heidel as they secured their league status with two games to spare, finishing a remarkable 12th.
Like five years ago, Mainz are four points adrift of the play-off after 14 matchdays, and it’s now up to Fischer, who faces a monumental task to guide his new team out of the relegation zone.
“With the club’s values off the pitch, the determination to never give up and constantly press the opposition, and the passion of the fans at the Mewa Arena - I’m really looking forward to this challenge and I’m convinced that we’ll be able to turn things around together as a team,” he said, following his appointment.
A shrewd tactician, the 59-year-old will certainly take inspiration from his predecessors.
On Matchday 14, Mainz showed defensive resilience and clinical finishing to pick up a valuable point against runaway leaders Bayern Munich. Their 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena ended a run of four straight defeats away from home, with their last points coming in September. “We had a tactical setup that we executed perfectly and a real sense of purpose,” said Mainz defender Stefan Bell.
A morale-boosting point against Bayern has given Mainz renewed confidence. “It’s important that the team shows its character and does what makes it strong,” said Fischer, referring to draws against Lech Poznan and Bayern.
Watch: Mainz pick up a valuable point against Bayern
With upcoming games against relegation rivals St. Pauli, before a return to Union ahead of hosting Heidenheim, Fischer wants to hit the ground running.
To secure their Bundesliga status, it’s imperative that Mainz pick up points at home, where they are yet to win.
Despite the monumental task ahead, having Silvan Widmer, Nadiem Amiri and Paul Nebel returning, combined with the invaluable experience of Bell and Jae-sung Lee, the 05ers, under Fischer, have every chance of securing their Bundesliga status.
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