Hannover 96: No winter transfers! Marcus Mann makes a zero number | Sports
“As of today, it doesn’t look like much is happening – in either direction.” Sports director Marcus Mann (38) Tuesday when asked by BILD about possible winter transfers.
The change period in Germany and most European leagues ends on January 31st. Even if the 96 sports director “can’t rule out anything”, there are many indications that nothing will happen in terms of arrivals or departures.
Man makes a zero number! And that has its reasons.
►You won’t get rid of anyone!
The sales list is short but potentially prominent. In addition to Tim Walbrecht (21), there are Gaël Ondoua (27), Sebastian Kerk (28) and Sebastian Stolze (27). But other clubs are just as uninterested in leaving 96 for Walbrecht and Ondoua as for Kerk and Stolze.
No problem for Mann: “The contracts are running and are to be accepted.”
There are also no requests for permanent staff and other clubs can save themselves. Mann makes it clear: “We won’t give up players that we don’t want to give up either.”
►They don’t want to fetch anyone!
“It’s not always good when you inflate the squad like that,” warns coach Stefan Leitl (45). There is no such thing as a proper shopping list. But the clear specification for possible candidates. “Only if it’s an absolute reinforcement,” says Mann. Leitl: “The mix is right, the age structure is good. We don’t have to hide.”
Strictly speaking, the Reds have revitalized the squad, at least internally. The exchange of talent – Walbrecht, Uhlmann (20) to the U23s, Momuluh (20), Moustier (20) to the pros – has increased the quality and selection. And playmaker Sebastian Ernst (27) is a “perceived newcomer” after nine months of injury absence.
A year ago Mann got reinforcements from the 1st league with Teuchert and Diemers. His predecessors were usually much more active. In 2016, Martin Bader signed six new ones, in 2019 under Horst Heldt there were five, as in 2020 under Gerry Zuber. Incidentally, Jörg Schmadtke signed the biggest flop in 2013 – the “shrink Brazilian” França.
Then a zero number is better…